Move On East (formerly known as "Norfolk ACRO") has existed with a formal constitution since 1983 and became a registered Charity in 1995 and Company Limited by Guarantee in 1999. However, our origins go back to 1971 when a group of people came together to provide a platform for informed discussion and debate with a particular emphasis on the resettlement of offenders and the prevention of crime.

In 1991 and in partnership with Norfolk Probation Area, the Charity employed its first staff with the introduction of Project 91 providing accommodation and employment/training advice and support to offenders in Norwich. Since 1997 the project has developed into West and Central Norfolk, Thetford and GT Yarmouth.

In 2000, the Charity took on the lease for the St Martin at Palace Church, located next to the Law Courts and Probation Offices in Norwich, and introduced the Learning & Activity Centre. Initially providing a range of courses facilitated by Community Education, City College Norwich, course providers now include NCC Adult Education Service & The Workers Education Authority. Move On East has also worked with other providers running one-off/short course activities.

Following successful application for European Social Funding (2002), the Charity introduced Skills for Life (Literacy, Language and Numeracy) tuition offenders, referred by Norfolk Probation Area, to its learning provision. Up-skilling offenders’ knowledge in English and Maths has been highly successful and the team, which currently includes 4 qualified Skills for Life Teachers, has enabled our learners to achieve, to date, nearly 300 Awards in Adult Literacy & Numeracy (Levels 1&2).

2005 saw the inclusion of Employment Service PS plus, a 2-year Home Office pilot project, managed by a member of staff seconded from the Probation Service. The project works to improve the employment prospects of unemployed offenders through programme intervention and a pro-active, face-to-face approach to employers.

Through relevant and appropriate project delivery, Move On East strives to promote and assist the social inclusion of individuals facing disadvantage from previous offending, low income/skills, unemployment, poor health and unsuitable housing.