Trailblazers Mentoring

Established in 1998, Trailblazers is a UK charity which provides 1:1 mentorship and practical support to people in prison and post release. Our goals are to prevent reoffending and improve outcomes for those leaving prison. Our work inspires and encourages people to change their future, rebuild their lives and make a positive impact on their community. 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.

 Trailblazers currently delivers services in 5 prisons and surrounding communities in London, West Midlands and the Southeast: HMP Brixton, HMPYOI ISIS, HMP Featherstone, HMPYOI Brinsford and HMP Bullingdon. Trailblazers’ staff and volunteers work in both the prisons and the community to ensure a wraparound service and practical support is provided to remove barriers to reintegration.

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 (e.g. poor digital awareness and access, poorly equipped to access and apply to support agencies e.g. DWP, GPs). We aim to give individuals the confidence and skills to navigate ‘life on the outside’ and avoid recidivism.