New EFFRR members, Key4Life, are an innovative rehabilitation charity on a mission to reduce the rate of youth re-offending.
The charity deliver a seven-step programme for those in prison, and those at risk of going to prison, providing early interventions to young offenders (18-25 years), combining prison-based and community interventions to break the cycle of reoffending and help young men into a positive path to employment.
The programme is designed to provide a 'joined up' pre and post release programme that motivates and enables young offenders to develop their emotional resilience and employability skills.
With an intake of over 70 young men in 2016, the charity is currently running three programmes at HMP/YOI Portland, HMP/YOI Isis and HMP Wormwood Scrubs and a further preventative programme in Somerset.
Key4Life was recently cited by Lord German OBE in the Queen's Speech debate on Prison Reform: "There are some wonderful examples of good practice: Key4Life, based in Somerset, developing emotional resilience and employment skills."
Since its inception in 2012, the evidence-based programme is seeing notable results, with an overall reoffending rate of just 18%.
As an example, the 2016 programme commissioned by HMP/YOI Isis has a post-release employment rate of 65% amongst participants, and the 2015 prison programme at HMP/YOI Isis has a zero reoffending rate.
Andrew Selous MP, Minister for Prisons, spoke at the graduation event last November: "Key4Life and the employers who have supported them should be proud of getting young men into work on release."
With over 50 businesses currently engaged, there is a strong focus on employability and developing the involvement of businesses.
The charity has built partnerships with a range of industries, such as hospitality, construction, utilities, communications and insurance, including: the BT Group, BRIT Trust and Chaucer Foundation, our national partners, alongside Leon, Universal Records, Willis Re., Lancaster London, Gaucho and Currell.
Businesses provide invaluable support through mentors, employability workshops pre and post release, and three-day work tasters which lead to the majority attaining job opportunities.
As the charity continues to scale up delivery in 2017 and build public awareness of the positive change young offenders may make, Key4Life welcomes further corporate support.
We invite businesses in London or the South West to contact Sarah.Farrell@key4life.org.uk for more information about working with Key4Life.
You are also invited to attend the charity's upcoming 4th Birthday Breakfast Celebration at North Cadbury Court, Somerset, BA227DR on Tues 11th October 8.30am-10am. RSVP to Emma.Tizzard@Key4Life.org.uk
The Employers' Forum for Reducing Re-offending (EFFRR) is a collective of forward thinking employers committed to the recruitment and training of ex-offenders.
EFFRR is managed by APM on behalf of the National Offender Management Service.