Our Mission

End Reoffending for Good

Established in 1998, Trailblazers provides mentoring and practical support to around 170 people a year, while they are in prison (6 months leading to their release) and for a further period (up to 12 months) in the community post-release.

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We reduce reoffending and improve outcomes for mentees

We reduce reoffending and improve outcomes for mentees through intensive weekly, one-to-one mentoring sessions conducted by a large cohort of volunteer mentors. Each individual is matched with a skilled volunteer mentor, who they meet with weekly for up to 6 months in prison, and then 12 months post release.  At the sessions, the pair work on individualised action plans which focus on changing behaviour and building a positive future post-release. This is augmented with practical support to ensure the basics for re-settlement are in place at the time of release, and in the early months post-release – a critical period for many. All mentors reside within the communities where mentees are released, providing an invaluable link back into their local areas. Over time, the mentors become trusted and positive role models in their lives.

We currently deliver mentoring and support services to men aged 18-35 in prisons and communities in London (HMP Brixton and HMPYOI ISIS) and Wolverhampton (HMP Featherstone and HMPYOI Brinsford). In Buckinghamshire (HMP Aylesbury), we work in partnership with the Chaplaincy Service, who refer men in need of career guidance and practical support following their release from prison.

Our long term, tailored and regular support, is hugely valued by mentees at a time in their lives when they are very vulnerable. Many are mistrustful of the organisations they have come into contact with (e.g. police, HMPPS, education, social services) and many have had chaotic childhoods. As a result many have low self-belief and esteem, limited or no family networks and are not well equipped to live independently (eg poor digital awareness and access, poorly equipped to access and apply to support agencies eg DWP, GPs). We aim to give individuals the confidence and skills to navigate ‘life on the outside’ and avoid recidivism.

Traiblazers’ impact by the numbers

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3000 mentees supported to-date

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38 new volunteers trained in 2023

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Over 1560 mentoring sessions in 2023

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Over 2300 mentoring and support hours in 2023

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9% re-offending rate (vs up to 55% national average)*

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>90% feel less isolated and more optimistic about their future

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£1.4-4k per mentee vs £46k HMPPS annual cost per prisoner

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85% of Trailblazers income is focused on service delivery

*Reoffending rates are a key success indicator. We monitor each individual we mentor to assess if they have re-offended in the first 2 years after release. We are fortunate to have access to prison databases to be able to track this data accurately. We also report on outcomes achieved to custodial and probation partners.

Over 76% of mentees have benefited from at least one practical support item – removing barriers to successful reintegration back to the community. These include food and clothing vouchers, a mobile phone, travel cards, setting up benefits, a bank account and, critically, a valid ID (without which it is almost impossible to open a bank account, secure accommodation and employment). Similarly, all mentees are given assistance to find safe accommodation on release, as most have limited family and support networks to turn to.

We provide (along with our partners) regular Employment, Training and Education (ETE) workshops, and 1-1 advice and guidance to support mentees to secure employment post release. In 2023, 56% of mentees engaged in ETE opportunities following release (compared to 17% national average). This is a significant achievement for many who have never had a job before.

One of our more innovative initiatives is around peer-peer mentoring. We train older prisoners who are on long sentences to be mentors to younger mentees whilst in custody (before they work with a trained volunteer mentor who continues support in the community). Over 85% of long-term prisoners who have taken part report this has given them a renewed sense of purpose and had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

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Trailblazers is a cost-effective service. Strong volunteer involvement means services cost between £1.4K and £4k to mentor and support a prison leaver for up to 18 months. This compares >£46K annual HMPPS costs to keep ONE person in prison and excludes the wider costs of police, courts, probation, and to the wider society as a whole.