Since we created the City & Guilds Foundation in 2019, one of our key funding activities has been identifying and activating practical ways to support those who have been in Prison (or at risk of entering Prison) to build skills and secure, and sustain, employment.
We know that there is a recognised and agreed need to reduce reoffending, and evidence shows that upskilling prisoners, together with stable accommodation and support is the most effective way to recidivism. Our £1m Big Idea Fund has now funded over 10 individual programmes with organisations like Groundwork, Bounce Back, Breakthrough, CIPD Trust and St Giles. A real variety of innovative programmes which at their core are developing skills.
In the summer we had the pleasure of going along to HMP Pentonville for the official opening of the XO Bikes workshop which is one of our most recent funded programmes. As with every other time I have been to HMP Pentonville, I left feeling so inspired and humbled by all of the fantastic work that is taking place.
With a new Governor, we were worried that the vision of his predecessor would be lost when it comes to prioritising skills for rehabilitation, but this couldn’t have been further from the truth. Governor Simon Drysdale gave us all in the room a snapshot of the reality faced by HMP Pentonville – for example, the prison being at 98% capacity, and 1100 of the 1200 men being on remand and waiting for sentencing. Of those 1100 the average time spent on remand can be 14 months – which is a long time to have no investment into skills. This is why we’re pleased to have funded the investment into 2 skills programmes being delivered at Pentonville – a bike mechanic workshop with XO Bikes, and catering workshop with London Community Kitchen.
The event was all about XO Bikes though – a purpose with a business, not a business with a purpose. Their mission, so eloquently put by Stef Jones, their Director, is that they wanted to take men and bikes with a past, and give them a future. It’s about looking at what they can do, not what have they done.
Our funding was awarded for the ‘Lifecycle’ bike workshop which will see 54 of the men in Pentonville, this year, learn practical bike mechanic skills. Upon release, trainees will be encouraged to continue their learning with XO Bikes at their workshop in Lewisham where they will hone their skills, continue building their confidence and have an opportunity to meet employers. Since the workshop opened its doors six men have been through the programme, and all of them said how great it was to be part of such meaningful, purposeful, activity in the Prison. Revd Jonathan Aitken, Chaplain at Pentonville, said: ‘This project is going to be a life changer for many of our men.’
At the event were well known faces like local MPs Emily Thornberry and Diane Abbott, as well as Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector for HMIP (His Majesty Inspectorate for Prisons).
In his closing remarks, Charlie Taylor explained that there is something special about what’s happening here at Pentonville, and it’s the innovation. The team at Pentonville are determined to make sure they are being known for the right reasons – and whilst it’s easier to do nothing, something being done here is having an impact. Charlie finished by saying we need a system that does not stifle innovation, and Pentonville is as good an example of how that innovation can be done.
We’re all looking forward to continuing to work with the team at Pentonville and seeing the impact that these programmes have on those who take part in them, the organisations they go on to work for and, ultimately, the society we’re all part of.
Find out more about the work we’re doing to support rehabilitation here: Supporting Rehabilitation | City & Guilds Foundation (cityandguildsfoundation.org)
Find out more about XO Bikes here: XO Bikes: Bike Shop in Lewisham London
