Development fund

All star 18-24 - Delivered in Yorkshire & Humber

This Design 4 Life and Pathways into the Creative Industry (D4L) programme supports young offenders aged 18-24 to explore different opportunities and employment options within this sector. Participants develop their skills and knowledge to gain an understanding of how they can progress in the industry and what their next steps could be.

This project provides a range of workshops which motive, inspire and create opportunities for future growth, using creative themes and activities. Participants have the option of undertaking a qualification which involves over 30 guided learning hours to achieve an Arts Award at either bronze or silver award level. These sessions can be both face to face and digital.

Back on Track - Delivered in Northumberland

Employer Links deliver a Level 1 Rail Track Maintenance workshop in HMP Northumberland providing a positive environment for men in the prison to demonstrate work-related skills including teamwork; being accountable; time management; taking responsibility; and communications. It provides a mix of hard physical work and sector specific learning, and encourages individuals to be clean from drug or alcohol use, standing them in good stead for the run-up to release and the potential move quickly into work.

Fit for Work 2022 - Delivered in the East Midlands

Fit for Work upskills and motivates offenders through ‘Landscape Therapy’ and training through outdoor projects to improve their health & wellbeing and training and employment prospects. Derbyshire has a wealth of green spaces, including the Peak District National Park, and many walking/cycling routes and an abundance of wildlife habitats, flora and fauna. There is a huge need for work to be done in these areas, especially after COVID-19, as unprecedented numbers of residents took to enjoying the outdoor areas.

Green Life - Delivered in the North East

Green Life is a development fund project delivered by Three13 and provides upskilling and qualifications for participants who are interested in the horticultural sector; who want to work with the land; or who simply want to give something back to their local community. Green Life is delivered in Durham, at Alington House Community Association, and in Stockton, at the Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe.

Participants can take part in various workshops ranging from building and painting fences, joinery work including making pergola, planters and seating, to hard landscaping and planting flowers.

Independent Me! - Delivered in the East Midlands

This project provides financial wellbeing support to individuals who have served long sentences and are now looking to live independently. It is extremely useful for those with mental health issues who quite often lack the motivation to deal with their financial circumstances or those with neurodevelopmental disorders who may require strategies to support the management of their finances. Independent Me! addresses the financial barriers that prevent offenders moving on with other aspects of their life, works with them to help them take control of their finances, and supports them until a stable financial situation is reached.

RMF Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPS) Training - Delivered in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside

RMF delivers a modularised flexible four-week programme with a mix of theory and practical (vocational) modules providing a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, virtual CPCS training and test, and sector specific employability support. Individuals in both custody and community can access the project.

Construction is buoyant at the moment, but employers are struggling to recruit. RMF has experience of linking this type of opportunity with a number of employers on large regeneration and infrastructure projects, such as road networks and improvements; student accommodation projects; house building; and hotels and re-development in the city centres.

Straight Six Cafe - Delivered in the East Midlands

This project, delivered in Nottingham, is aimed at giving participants the chance to be involved in the creation and delivery of a street food business. The Straight Six Café focuses on self-development, business development, cooking and food preparation, assistance into employment and work itself, as well as interaction with the public and selling food and beverages within the confines of the business.

The education, training and employment offer for offenders is often limited. This innovative business proposal puts a positive spin on the idea that prison and probation can be places of opportunity for learning and development. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for the public to invest in an area of social business, social development, and social inclusion.