Curriculum refresh
At StandOut we want our value of being first class to run through all we do and so this year we have carried out a deep review of each element of our action-packed prison programme that forms the cornerstone of our work. We know that the really hard work starts the moment the men walk through the gate and begin the task of rebuilding their lives in their communities and that is why our coaches are there to support and champion them, in whatever way they need and for however long they want.
The StandOut programme makes the most of the ‘pause for reflection’ that preparing for release from prison can provide. We invite men to spend twelve days working in a group with us ahead of their release. StandOut provides people with the chance to reflect, rediscover, grow and dream. It also enables life-giving relationship building between the men and our coaches, something that is essential for our work with them after release.
The course provides an opportunity to explore and discuss key mindsets and develop and refresh core skills that empower and equip them to leave prison bolstered with a renewed confidence and vision. As the group dynamic forms, the trust that is built creates hallowed ground, where people can be open about their experiences and aspirations and where coaches have the privileged opportunity of beginning to address some of the damage caused in prison, by reminding people of their worth and value and encouraging them to be bold as they plan for their futures and feel an increased sense of control over what happens next. The course is framed around what people will need to prepare for, and be successful in, the workplace but it has always been about more than just ‘getting a job’.
In 2017 we piloted our first course. Taking the hugely successful Spear course, we adapted the material for a prison setting and the circumstances and needs of men of all ages leaving London prisons. This included developing sessions on disclosure, routine and ‘friendly’ employers. Since 2017 the course has of course had improvements and additions but it was clear that following the pandemic, and in the light of StandOut’s growing experience, it was time to revisit the content for a thorough review.
The review involved consulting our coaching team and partners, reviewing the landscape of programmes in prison to learn from best practice and consider the gaps, and crucially hearing from our Experts Beyond Bars (EBB) group, men who have completed the StandOut programme and who meet regularly to input ideas into projects and to support each other as they navigate their journeys after prison.
The result is the culmination of 10 months' work and the launch of our latest version of the StandOut course. This course packs a punch! It is professional and engaging with new material covering subjects that are not addressed in prison, offering vital practical support and encouraging participants to take an active role in their own journeys after prison. Key ingredients remain: the mix of group and 1-1 work, the balance of theory and practical, and importantly, sessions where we invite the outside world in through mock interviews, CV workshops, employer visits and graduation. We also continue to focus on exploring the skills, tools and mindsets needed to succeed, in prison and out of it, and we hold firm to our coaching approach.
We have developed a range of new resources, and have introduced new elements of the programme reflecting feedback and ideas from our EBB. This includes an increase in ‘crunchy’ topics such as discussions around money, equality and diversity, anxiety, mental health and empathy, all of which lead to crucial and empowering conversations as people look to their release date. We have embedded the Skills Builder Partnership, a fantastic tool enabling participants to discover their core strengths and set bespoke goals around key skills. We have also worked hard on ensuring the programme is accessible to a wide range of learners including those with neuro-diverse needs and we have worked with The Nelson Trust, to ensure we work through a trauma-aware lens.
After two days of intense training, the coaching team launched the new course at the start of September and we are already beginning to witness its impact. We are ambitious for the men we work with, and believe they deserve the best. So we will be continuing to ask how we can improve what we’re doing? What else do our participants say they want and need from us? How can we take this further? Watch this space for updates on how we’re continuing to develop the StandOut programme!
Jo Fellows
Co-founder and Programme and Coaching Consultant