As we come together at the end of each StandOut course, we share special moments, reflect on progress, and recognise that each person's journey through the course has involved commitment, energy, and resilience. The recent graduation at HMP Pentonville was particularly special, as we were able to invite family and friends of the men on the course along to celebrate with us.
To mark StandOut’s fifth year as a registered charity, we welcomed guests to ‘join the conversation’ at our recent celebration event at Salesforce Tower in central London, where the stunning views provided a striking backdrop for the evening.
In July 2021, we asked Ahmed to share his experiences in a blog. He was two years on from completing the StandOut course at HMP Wandsworth and spoke of the challenges he’d faced since leaving prison and his determination to pursue a career in IT. After several setbacks applying for jobs, he called for employers to look at people’s passions, not their past when it came to the application process.
Almost another two years since his first blog, Ahmed updates us on where his journey has taken him since.
Approaching his release date, Carl wasn’t hopeful for the future - but then he met StandOut. Carl reflects on his journey since leaving prison, his increased confidence and how he’s using his voice to advocate for change.
John completed the StandOut programme in May 2021 where he set some ambitious goals. His determination and proactive approach to self-development since leaving prison has inspired the whole StandOut team. We asked John to write something for StandOut’s next trainee bulletin about staying motivated, but we felt everyone could learn something from Trainee John’s approach to making lasting change.
Read MoreEzra took part in StandOut in HMP Pentonville last summer. Since leaving prison, Ezra has been working hard to get closer to his personal goals with the support of the StandOut coaches backing him every step of the way.
Read MorePeople often talk about how hard the first weeks can be after being released from prison. In our last trainee blog of the year, StandOut Experts Beyond Bars member Hall speaks openly about the challenges he faced as he navigated his first year after release.
Read MoreAhmed took part in StandOut in HMP Wandsworth two years ago. We invited him to write a blog about his experiences since leaving prison.
Read MoreWe are celebrating the amazing resilience of our trainees during Covid with Nathan’s journey. Nathan took part in the StandOut programme in HMP Pentonville and it sparked a passion for mentoring. Over a year after his release and despite a global pandemic, Nathan has continued to work towards his goal with StandOut and is now inspiring others to move away from crime in his new mentoring role.
Simon completed the StandOut Programme in HMP Wandsworth in 2018. Simon has worked closely with the StandOut coaches since his release from prison to navigate life’s challenges and achieve the goal he set with coaches during the four-week course.
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