Saints Restart, 6 months on: Off to a flying start
Half a year after we started delivering our prison resettlement project, we look at what's been achieved so far.
Support from behind bars to beyond the gate – that's what Saints Restart is all about. Six months into delivery of our prison resettlement project, we've already followed several participants through their release journey, walking every step of the way as they return to life in our communities.
Our Saints Foundation team began work in HMP Winchester over the summer and the project has quickly sparked into life. Within the prison, we've worked with 15 inmates, preparing them for a positive future on release – 3 of those are now through the gate and have entered employment or apprenticeships with our support.
Our workshops have covered a variety of topics, including mental health, substance misuse, employability skills and crucially readiness for release.
It's all rounded off with physical activity sessions to keep participants physically and mentally healthy. We've delivered sessions in badminton, volleyball, gym and football (of course!) for our inmates.
We've had some amazing feedback from those we've worked with. One 22-year-old inmate told us: "It's helped me open up a lot more. Before, I’d rarely talk about anything – but it’s helped me know it’s alright to share things. Most of my life I’ve been passed aside but to have someone say, I can help you, you deserve to be helped, it’s a very good thing.
"I’ve got a bit more at ease for my release knowing there is a route I can take. Go into a job. Go into actual goodness. I have no experience at all in the work place. Having someone liaise with me, tell me what I can do – it makes me more at ease."
