The Chair’s Blog
All the latest news.
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Three new rehabilitation projects funded
Read more: Three new rehabilitation projects fundedThanks to the fantastic fundraising efforts of the Sheriffs, the Recorder and members of the Advisory Council over the last two years, we have been able to continue to support some excellent rehabilitation projects in the London prisons, including three new projects: the StandOut project at HMP Wandsworth, Onwards & Upwards’ XO Barbers project at…
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Grant expenditure hits all-time high
Read more: Grant expenditure hits all-time highOver the last two years the Fund has seen a huge increase in the number of applicationsis, which is not surprising given that over 17,000 prisoners have been released under the Government’s Early Release Scheme to try and alleviate the prison crisis. We received 1,376 grant applications this last financial year, funding all 1,339 eligible…
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Online Applications now live
Read more: Online Applications now liveI am pleased to be able to report that grant applications to the Fund can now be made online. This should make the application process more accessible to probation officers and expedite the grant making process so that we are able to reach beneficiaries quicker, when they are most vulnerable and their needs are greatest.…
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Positive Impact Assessment
Read more: Positive Impact AssessmentI am delighted to report that an independent evaluation of the impact of the Fund, specifically the grants made to prison leavers, has confirmed the positive impact that these grants have. Of the probation officers and other practitioners researched, 71% say the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund’s grants reduce the likelihood of reoffending, 67% say the…
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Chess in Prisons visit
Read more: Chess in Prisons visitWe were very grateful to the Governor of HMP Wormwood Scrubs for inviting us to see in action the Chess in Prisons project that we have provided some funding for. Chess is a readily available, low-cost, purposeful activity that offers inmates critical skills for life on the outside. It is a game of consequences that…
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Christmas Carol Service
Read more: Christmas Carol ServiceThe fabulous Old Bailey Choir treated us to another feast of Christmas Carols to a packed audience in the Grand Hall of the Old Bailey. Once again, thank you to the Choir and to everyone who attended and donated so generously for the benefit of the Fund.
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New Advisory Council member
Read more: New Advisory Council memberI am delighted to welcome the Reverend Jo Davies as a new member of the Advisory Council. Jo is an ordained priest in the Church of England and has been involved in Prison Ministry for over 27 years, most recently, but now retired, as Managing Chaplain at HMP Pentonville. She is a Trustee of The…
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New Trustee
Read more: New TrusteeI am delighted to welcome Kate Fenwick, who has brought such enthusiasm and energy as an Advisory Council member over the last three years, as a new Trustee of the Fund.
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Welcome
Read more: WelcomeAt the beginning of a new shrieval year in the City of London, we would like to welcome Sheriff David Chalk and Alderman Sheriff Gregory Jones KC as Presidents of the Fund. We look forward to working with them during what will be a very busy year for all concerned, especially after the recent prison early…
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Thank you
Read more: Thank youA big “Thank you” on behalf of the Fund and its beneficiaries to the two outgoing Presidents of the Fund, Alderwoman Dame Sue Langley and Alderman Bronek Masojada who, as Presidents of the Fund during the 2023-24 shrieval year, raised in excess of £100,000 for the Fund from a variety of events. This is exceedingly…