Prison leavers helping prison leavers

Release Mates, a unique and innovative group of prison leavers, support other prison leavers on their day of release.

Our own experiences identified the most important time in our rehabilitation - the immediate 5 hours after release. When the gates to freedom open, there is a choice; back down the same old path, or positive change.

Release Mates provides practical support with food, clothes, toiletries, transport, and finances, whilst trying to influence positive change through shared experiences.

If people know we've spent time in prison and come through it successfully, it provides hope.

The Government has reduced burden on the overcrowded prison estate by releasing some people early. Release Mates has struggled to cope with this huge increase in numbers. Soon, another "tranche" of early prison releases will come to us for support.

We do not have the funds to accommodate this vast number.

Funds raised will be used to ensure Release Mates remains available to people, to ensure that they have hope.

"Remember. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies"

Shawshank Redemption.