Rob spoke in the House of Commons and called on the Government to help ensure that Alana House remains open. He asked the following question to in the House of Commons to the Minister for Victims and Courts, Helen Grant MP:
“Alana House in my constituency is a women’s community centre supporting women who are experiencing problems; whose behaviour have been shown to put them at risk of offending. It has been particularly successful in providing the courts with a useful alternative to custodial sentences and helps vulnerable women tackle their problems.
The centre is in danger of closing. Will the Minister agree to visit Alana House to see the valuable work that the centre does and agree to work with me to help ensure that this valuable community resource remains open?”
In her response, Mrs Grant acknowledged that Rob Wilson “cares deeply” about Alana House and referred to the several conversations she had already had with Rob about the centre. Mrs Grant agreed to visit Alana House to see for herself the work the centre does and listen to concerns about the centre’s future.
Rob said: “I am pleased that the Minister has agreed to visit Alana House. This will give her the opportunity to see for herself the vital work the centre does for vulnerable women in Reading and to discuss the financial threat to its future.
“By bringing the Minister to Alana House, I hope we can bring the right people together to ensure that Alana House not just survives, but continues to thrive.”
Alana House is a women’s community centre in Reading providing a safe space and support to women who are experiencing problems or whose life circumstances and behaviour have been shown to put women at risk of offending. The centre is regarded as having been particularly successful since it opened in 2009 and provides the courts with an invaluable alternative to custodial sentences that helps vulnerable women tackle their problems.
The centre is currently funded by a grant of £111,000 from the National Offender Management Service. This is due to be replaced next year by a £70,000 grant to the Thames Valley Probation trust to cover services for women offenders across the whole of the Thames Valley – leading to fears that Alana House will be forced to close.