Apex is a third sector organisation and a registered charity. Our mission is to work with offenders, ex-offenders, people at risk of offending, employability and tackling poverty. We have bases in Stranraer and Dumfries which service the entire Dumfries and Galloway region. We are a full partner of Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

U Turn was first introduced in 2010 with the aim to work with offenders and ex-offenders through volunteering and tuition. We received our initial funding through the Holywood Trust and then once the programme was up and running we received further funding from Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

In 2013 we had the vision to expand the service and deliver a more extensive project to our clients in Stranraer and Dumfries. Consequently, we applied for and obtained Big Lottery funding to fund the project from November 2013 to May The funding has enabled us to employ 4 Personal Development Mentors and purchase 2 new minibuses which now enable us to reach parts of the region we were previously unable to.

We receive referrals for this service from Addaction, Criminal Justice, Skills Development Scotland, Health Professionals and Dumfries prison. Other services within Apex, such as; Moving on and Employability Fund will also refer client to U Turn.

We intend that all U Turn clients receive employability experience, have a Universal Job Match account, a CV which is constantly updated, a letter of disclosure and opportunities to use their ILA funding. The aims of U Turn are not only to provide the following to our service users, but to also provide a valuable service to our communities in Dumfries and Galloway.

Here are some examples of the many projects the U Turn members have taken on! Sheuchan primary refurbishment The Mull of Galloway trail Annan fisheries Allanton peace sanctuary

All of our U Turn staff members are experienced Personal Development Mentors. Their aim is to give clients confidence and employability skills and thus move them further along the job pipeline. In addition all projects are carefully selected by the U Turn staff to give maximum benefit to the service users and the community.

The service has became so popular that on some occasions we have been unable to accommodate all service users in our minibuses, consequently we have branched the service out to Annan and Gretna in the East and we look towards enhancing our service in Newton Stewart in the West. In Annan the service will form a partnership with the renowned award winning poverty service, Kate's Kitchen

ScaleDecreaseSameIncrease Job specific skills10%13%77% Aspiration and motivation7%20%73% Job-search skills7%23%70% Stability7%46%47% Basic skills13%27%60% Social skills for work10%17%73% Challenges13%34%53%