Prisoners and ex-offenders

The latest stories in this category from the City & Guilds Foundation and our networks.

Changing Lives, Changing Industries: HMP Highpoint’s groundbreaking rail training

Changing Lives, Changing Industries: HMP Highpoint’s groundbreaking rail training

by | 5 Dec 2024 | , ,

Around two weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending HMP Highpoint to see the opening of the first ever rail centre of excellence in prison, which back in 2022 we provided funding for installation of a rail track so that industry-standard training could be delivered to the men inside. We talk a lot in the City & Guilds Foundation about our role in removing barriers for people to gain skills and opportunities. But in seeing the incredible facilities – a pipe dream less than two and a...

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Inspiration and innovation at HMP Pentonville with XO Bikes

Inspiration and innovation at HMP Pentonville with XO Bikes

by | 9 Oct 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

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...

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Green Start: A transformative programme continuing to empower ex-offenders from Groundwork

Green Start: A transformative programme continuing to empower ex-offenders from Groundwork

by | 21 Jun 2024 | , , , ,

Last year, we reported on the inspiring work being carried out by Groundwork, a UK-wide alliance of charities that brings communities together to tackle poverty and environmental challenges. Committed to creating opportunities for all, they launched their Green Start programme in 2021 in partnership with the City & Guilds Foundation to equip prison leavers with construction, carbon literacy and green skills. The programme has exceeded expectations, with positive prisoner outcomes, a...

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Creating collective impact in the rehabilitation sector

Creating collective impact in the rehabilitation sector

by | 21 Mar 2024 | , , , ,

This is a guest post by Ian Bickers, Founder of Unlocking Justice and member of our Future Skills Commission for Prisons. When the City & Guilds Foundation organised a day bringing together the people they are partnering with in the rehabilitation space, I was delighted to be asked to speak at it and share some of my own learnings from 20 years of working in, and with, prisons. My first impression from the day was the sheer amount of knowledge and experience gathered in the room. From...

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Big Idea Fund: Five new projects awarded funding to unlock potential and support rehabilitation

Big Idea Fund: Five new projects awarded funding to unlock potential and support rehabilitation

by | 8 Nov 2023 | , , ,

Back in June we announced that we were inviting expressions of interest for the second round of our Big Idea Fund. The £1m Big Idea Fund was established in 2019 as the first major initiative of our Foundation, to support prisoners with upskilling to aid their rehabilitation on release. Following an initial shortlist, 11 projects out of 37 applications were invited to submit a full application which was scored by our Commissioner Panel which includes City & Guilds Chief Executive, Kirstie...

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Big Idea Fund: more funding available to unlock the potential of the UK Prison population, and reduce reoffending

Big Idea Fund: more funding available to unlock the potential of the UK Prison population, and reduce reoffending

by | 7 Jun 2023 | , , ,

The City & Guilds Foundation is pleased to announce that we are inviting expressions of interest for the second round of The Big Idea Fund until 22 June 2023. The Big Idea Fund was the first major initiative of the Foundation’s ambitious Future Skills Commission for Prisons. And since its launch in 2020, we have funded nine pioneering programmes, which are supporting individuals in prison to develop the skills they need to find employment upon release, helping to reduce the risk of...

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Improving ex-offenders’ prospects through Groundwork’s ‘Green Start’ programme

Improving ex-offenders’ prospects through Groundwork’s ‘Green Start’ programme

by | 26 May 2023 | , , ,

Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. Dedicated to supporting communities and creating a green future, they aim to improve people’s prospects and promote opportunities for everyone, whatever their background or circumstances. As part of Groundwork’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for employability, back in 2021 they launched their ‘Green Start’ programme, in partnership with us at the City & Guilds...

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Celebrating skills development, in Prison, to support rehabilitation, on release

Celebrating skills development, in Prison, to support rehabilitation, on release

by | 12 May 2023 | , , ,

For nearly four years now we have endeavoured, through our Foundation, to identify and activate practical ways for offenders to build skills and gain a job upon release. Reoffending costs approximately £18.1bn every year in England, and evidence shows that upskilling prisoners to gain sustainable employment upon release, together with stable accommodation and support, is the most effective way to counter reoffending. As part of our Future Skills Commission for Prisons, we have now funded eight...

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Delivering Green Skills Training with Greenworkx and Catch22

Delivering Green Skills Training with Greenworkx and Catch22

by | 3 May 2023 | , , , , , ,

The City & Guilds Foundation is pleased to announce two new partnerships with Greenworkx and Catch22 to deliver green skills training. The partnerships will provide training and support to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the skills they need to work in the green economy. Greenworkx is a climate EdTech startup that is tackling the green skills emergency and building the net-zero workforce. Their mission is to get 10 million people into green jobs in 10 years. They are...

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