Increasingly, the Fund is collaborating with other prison focused charities to support programmes in prisons to help prepare individuals for release. These Rehabilitation Projects have a particular focus on education and training to enhance prison leavers employment prospects.
Through the inspiring stories of our recent rehabilitation projects, you’ll see firsthand how our fundraising events are making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. We hope these projects will inspire you to join us in our mission to create a more just and compassionate society.
MAKING FOR CHANGE – 2024
Making for Change provides training in fashion production skills, with industry-recognised qualifications, offering a route away from re-offending whilst simultaneously increasing wellbeing and addressing the skills shortage within the UK fashion manufacturing industry. The programme is in operation at two locations: HMP Downview and at a purpose-built design and manufacturing hub at Poplar Works, east London.
The Fund’s grant of £29,000 supported the engagement of a Lecturer in Fashion Production at HMP Downview and the course has been running at maximum capacity of 23 women, with 13 women already HAVING achieved Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications and three women are expected to achieve placements at the Poplar Works on their release from prison.
“Making For Change gives the women skills and qualifications so they can progress and, on release, they’re ready for the workplace.”
John Fraser, Industries and Community Engagement Manager, HMP Downview
HMP ISIS: A Reading Prison – 2023 AND 2024
In partnership with HHJ Wendy Joseph, a Past Master of the Pewterers’ Livery Company, the Fund is funding a three-year literacy project in HMP ISIS, delivered by the Give a Book (GAB) charity (Prison Reading Groups). The aim is to raise the profile of reading within the prison and to use reading and books as a way to link prisoners to their families. To ensure the project is as effective as possible, it is being embedded by a GAB Prison Consultant, also funded by the Fund.
“Since I started book club I’ve been reading every day. It really got me into reading… The guys on my wing – every day we’re talking about the books. Now I can’t stop reading. Before I never used to read, only texts and stuff but now I read every day. I feel smarter already… Last night I stayed up till 2am because I wanted to finish the book”
National Prison Radio – 2023
“We are delighted to be working alongside the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund. With their vital support, we can continue to create life-changing radio with talented prisoners at HMP Brixton. The grant will allow us to work with more men over the next 12 months to create radio content for the world’s first radio station for people in prison, while supporting them to build skills, build confidence and build better futures beyond bars.”
Evie Dickinson, Fundraising Manager, Prison Radio Association
Women in Prison’s “All Hub” – 2022
A grant from the Fund enabled ‘Women in Prison’ to provide a Hub in Elephant & Castle where clients from across South London could come together on a monthly basis. The “All Hub” is a safe space, providing workshops, one to one support and drop-in clinics. The workshops are focused on generational trauma and parenting.
OPERATION ELF – 2022
Operation Elf, run by Prison Advice and Care Trust, supports parents in prison by providing gift cards for them to give to their children at Christmas.
With over 300,000 children separated from their parents due to imprisonment, Christmas can be a painful time for these families.
The gift cards enable parents to maintain their parental identity and offer children the opportunity to choose a gift they really want. By supporting Operation Elf, the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund helps to make the festive season a little brighter for these families.
“Our heartfelt thanks to all at the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund for your generous support of PACT’s ‘Operation Elf’ this year. For a parent in custody, it provides an opportunity to show their child that they are still a family, that the child is still in their thoughts, that they are loved and that they want to be the parent their child would hope for them to be.
It’s a way of expressing care and responsibility when they have few resources and outlets to do so from behind their cell door. For the child, it cannot be overstated how important this ‘slice of normality’ can be.”
Laura Wilkins, Fundraising Officer, PACT
UNTOLD CREATIVE TRAINING – 2022 and 2023
Untold is a creative arts training programme run by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama at HMP Isis Young Offenders Institute. Up to 100 inmates are expected to attend these courses annually. Over the last two years the Fund has provided funding for a training theatre and production equipment for the lighting, sound design and video mapping training courses.
“Untold is a project that doesn’t just give prisoners good skills but changes their entire attitude to personal growth.”
Student, HMP Isis