Prisoners and ex-offenders

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

From prison to lockdown: how to make peer-mentoring work in the crisis

From prison to lockdown: how to make peer-mentoring work in the crisis

by | 6 Oct 2020 | , , , ,

The best ideas are born out of necessity, and for St Giles that was finding a way to deliver the Peer Advisor programme during Covid-19. The programme trains people with lived experience of social exclusion, including many prisoners and prison-leavers, to become Level 3 qualified Peer Advisors who then go on to support others from similar backgrounds. It plays a significant role in helping people overcome barriers and move towards employment; research from Cranfield University found that...

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New skills fund to unlock £500m per year employment potential of UK prison population supporting efforts to rebuild after Covid

New skills fund to unlock £500m per year employment potential of UK prison population supporting efforts to rebuild after Covid

by | 22 Sep 2020 | , , , , ,

Unlocking the skills potential of the UK’s prison population could put £500million a year back into the economy in lowering reoffending rates alone[1], a much-needed boost as we seek to rebuild the economy following Covid, new analysis from the City & Guilds Foundation suggests. The findings come as City & Guilds, the leading skills development provider, launches an ambitious new Future Skills Commission for Prisons to use jobs and training to help divert prisoners from committing...

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Junior Smart: Meaningful work will keep ex-offenders like me out of prison

Junior Smart: Meaningful work will keep ex-offenders like me out of prison

by | 21 Sep 2020 | , , , ,

The Foundation’s Big Idea Fund wants to experiment, to find out what really works so that it can be scaled up and used elsewhere. It is going out to brilliant charities and innovative prison projects that want to partner up and find practical solutions to one of our society’s biggest problems.  I believe a big idea like this has never been needed more. View this post on Instagram Meaningful work will keep ex-offenders like me out of prison, writes Junior Smart a member of our Future...

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The Clink charity launches Clink@Home takeaway / delivery service

The Clink charity launches Clink@Home takeaway / delivery service

by | 20 Aug 2020 | , , , ,

The Clink Charity has launched a takeaway / delivery service at HMP Brixton called Clink@Home. This has enabled The Clink to keep the restaurant open during lockdown, keeping prisoners employed and allowing them to continue studying towards their qualifications. Great @BBCNews feature showing the impact @TheClinkCharity has on reducing re-offending. If you live within 5 miles of @HMP_Brixton please support #ClinkAtHome - you'll be helping prisoners to continue studying towards their...

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The City & Guilds Foundation supporting communities throughout Covid-19

The City & Guilds Foundation supporting communities throughout Covid-19

by | 31 Mar 2020 | , , , , , , , , , ,

No one is untouched by Covid-19, and we are humbled by seeing so many of our communities and partners responding with such energy and grace to what is a difficult time for people and societies all over the world. We know that people need support now, to help them get the food, medicine and essential supplies to survive. We also know that many people are concerned about their work and employment prospects as the economic impact unfolds and people face losing their jobs and livelihoods. The City...

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City & Guilds Foundation launches groundbreaking new skills fund for prisons

City & Guilds Foundation launches groundbreaking new skills fund for prisons

by | 17 Dec 2019 | , , ,

The City & Guilds Foundation is inviting bids to a new £1m fund to help provide skills training and employment for prisoners and ex-offenders. The Big Idea Fund is now inviting expressions of interest from charities, prison governors and other potential providers, with awards to be made from April 2020. It is seeking bids that aim to meaningfully reduce reoffending through personalised training and sustained employment support in innovative new ways that can be rapidly scaled up if...

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