Directory

Beating Time runs three prison programmes aimed at helping people put prison behind them and build lives they want to live. Through Choirs Beating Time, we create prison choirs that serve their communities whilst preserving mental health. People who feel excluded and have poor mental health cannot find, or make, work. We run an in-prison recruitment consultancy, Inside Job. Upstart, helps entrepreneurial prisoners play to their strengths.

Cell Workout Enterprise grew from the book I wrote whilst in prison 'Cell Workout' that is prison fitness publication which I self published and set up as a business through the Prince Trust.

Since releasing the book a year ago it has had a massive positive impact in prison with inmates in both young offenders, adult and female prisons. I have been asked to visit many prisons to deliver Cell Workout Workshops, which consists of taking inmates through workouts, my personal, inspirational story for people. Promotes the physical and mental benefits of exercise to maintain a positive frame of mind. To encourage education and self-achievement.

My mission is also to provide a cautionary tale to prevent people getting in trouble, to deliver the message of just how easy it is to go to prison and end up with a criminal record. Like myself, few people realise how their lives and the lives of their families will be affected and possibly changed forever.

Daylight Christian Prison Trust exists to see prisoners' and ex-offenders' lives changed from the inside out by advancing the Christian faith amongst prisoners, through supporting prisoners during their sentence and by providing practical post-release support to ex-offenders after release to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

Geese Theatre Company is a team of professional theatre practitioners who present interactive drama and facilitate workshops, staff training and consultation in prisons, secure mental health settings, young offender institutions, and in the community with probation services, youth offending teams and related agencies. A registered charity based in Birmingham, Geese works throughout the UK and overseas and has gained an international reputation for innovative work with vulnerable and socially excluded groups, becoming widely acknowledged as one of the key organisations championing the role of arts in the criminal justice system and wider social welfare arena. Our work provides solutions to a range of criminogenic issues, primarily focussing on attitudes, thinking and behaviour and addressing themes such as domestic abuse, sexual offending, violence, resettlement, substance misuse and offending, self-efficacy, and employability.

Good Vibrations runs gamelan (Indonesian bronze percussion) courses, in prisons and secure hospitals and with offenders and ex-offenders in the community, helping people develop crucial life- and work-skills such as communication, teamworking, creative thinking and concentration. Participants are then also more motivated to engage in other constructive activities.

Growing For Good creates botanic designs that change lives. Our interior landscaping and maintenance makes indoor and outdoor living and working areas healthier, happier, more productive and creative. Our plants are grown in the greenhouses at East Sutton Park Prison and Young Offenders Institute, where the women enjoy the physical and mental health benefits associated with caring for plants, whilst working toward a horticultural qualification. Through this work, the women gain employable skills and confidence, preparing for a good job and a good life outside of prison.

Inside Time is a newspaper provided to every prison in the country. We also publish Inside Information, a comprehensive guide to prisons, legal fact sheets and support organisations for prisoners and their families.

Reset is a Big Lottery funded support service that assigns volunteer mentors to work within Kent & Medway prisons or approved hostels: supporting ex-offenders who will be resettling within Kent & Medway.
Every individual's experience of release if unique and thus we aim to provide a service that reflects the challenges that they face during reintegration to the community.
We work in partnership with existing agencies to help offenders and ex-offenders become valued members of society. The initiative was developed in response to the challenges faced by many ex-offenders when they tried to begin a new life after release from prison and to the high level of interest from numerous community organisations in helping with resettlement.
Where we work: In prisons and probation hostels (before release), Through the gate (on release), Within the community (after release)

There are two different ways that you can refer, either through a self-referral or through a professional.

Please feel free to contact Stephen Wait on 07475521854 or email stephen.wait@kenwardtrust.org.uk for any more information or to ask any questions.

Since 1962 the Koestler Awards have played a unique, national role in motivating prisoners, secure hospital patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts. The Koestler Awards are simple and powerful – we reward achievement, build self-confidence and broaden horizons for some of society’s most disadvantaged and marginalised people.

Our work harnesses the uniquely transformative power of the arts to help individuals learn the skills and gain the confidence to live creative, positive and productive lives. Each year we receive more than 7,000 entries from over 3,500 entrants across the UK in 52 categories. More than 2,000 Awards are granted by over 100 esteemed judges, and each year culminates in a curated exhibition at Southbank Centre which showcases the incredible power of the arts to transform lives, as well as regular exhibitions and displays across the UK.

We also run an Arts Mentoring project partnering talented Koestler Award winners with professional artists.

New Bridge supports a national network of volunteers who befriend and mentor people in custody and in the community. We particularly support short sentenced prisoners in London and Merseyside and befriend longer sentenced more serious offenders throughout England and Wales.

Prison Fellowship aims to support prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them through practical programmes and prayer.

We seek to help, support and develop a Christian ministry to prisoners through Sycamore Tree, our victim awareness programme; Angel Tree, where we support prisoner's children at Christmas; Letter Writing and other practical support through chaplaincy.

We do this through our network of volunteer members, and currently have over 1,800 members across England and Wales.

Prison Reading Groups helps to set up and run reading groups in prisons. It runs groups in over 40 prisons, providing funding for books and helping find volunteers. It also provides books for Family Visit Days. It is part of the charity Give a Book.

We make it possible for volunteers in the community to write letters to prisoners, and to receive letters in return, and to do so in safety.

The Prisoners' Advice Service provides free legal advice and representation to adult prisoners in England and Wales regarding their rights, and regardless of the individual prisoners' means. PAS aims to educate and empower prisoners regarding the law and their legal and human rights.

Since 1989, PET has supported prisoners to engage in rehabilitation through learning. We do this by providing distance learning courses, advice and support in subjects and levels not available in prisons. PET also promotes and argues the case for prisoner education, and undertakes research informed by prisoner learners, to improve policies and practice.

Restorative Solutions is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) committed to enabling the use of innovative restorative approaches as a practical and cost-effective intervention for reducing harm or conflict.
We introduce restorative practices to organisations, volunteers and front line workers who are looking for a proven and worthwhile alternative to existing conventional approaches to reducing conflict, disputes, anti-social behaviour, bullying, crime and re-offending. We deliver bespoke, commissioned Restorative Justice services to organisations.

The RFEA's simple aim, since 1885, has been to help those leaving and those who have left the Armed Forces to find and to remain in employment throughout their working lives. We aim to make the client 'Job Ready' by signposting them to bespoke support required using our Nova Network of support and tracking this via our Nova Support team prior to finding them the right employment choice.
Project Nova is an early intervention scheme working in conjunction mainly with the Police and NHS dealing with Ex Military personnel who have been arrested or are on the periphery of doing so. Project Nova works with many partner organisations including HMPPS & CRCs and local authorities along with numerous military charities.

Samaritans provides confidential emotional support to prisoners, either by telephone or face-to-face. The organisation also selects, trains and supports prisoners, known as Listeners, to offer confidential, emotional support to their fellow-inmates.

We deliver the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) in the South of England: a free and independent service for people who wish to complain about the NHS services they have received. In prison you have the same right as someone not in prison to healthcare and treatment, and the same right to complain if something goes wrong. We accept referrals from other agencies working with offenders as well as referrals directly from prisoners or their families. Our advocates can arrange face-to-face meetings with prisoners should this be necessary.

Shannon Trust is a national charity supporting thousands of prisoners a year to transform their lives by unlocking the power of reading. 50% of people that end up in prison either can't read or struggle to: their life chances are limited from the word go. Shannon Trust inspires and trains prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t, so they're better set up for a positive future.

We also work with partner organisations in the community, supporting prison leavers and others to learn to read.