CIPD Trust wins funding to support women leaving prison into work

CIPD Trust, HMP Styal and the HMP Styal Employment Advisory Board secures funding from City & Guilds Foundation’s Big Ideas Fund.

Innovative new collaboration

CIPD Trust, HMP Styal and the HMP Styal Employment Advisory Board have won funding from City & Guilds Foundation’s Big Ideas Fund, for an innovative new pilot aimed at supporting women leaving prison into employment.

The pilot will build on the successful model already used by the CIPD Trust, using expert mentors from the people profession (all CIPD members) to support women approaching the end of their sentences to develop confidence, employability skills and vocational skills, working with numerous employment partners in the region.

The people profession has a huge role to play in supporting those people who have been through the criminal justice system and spent time in prison get back into work. Evidence clearly shows that employment can play a significant role in reducing the chances of reoffending, but just 4% of women were in employment six weeks after release compared to 10% of men. Our programme will provide the support needed to develop the fundamental building blocks of confidence and self-esteem while connecting women with employers that have job opportunities on release. We are delighted to be working with City & Guilds on this important agenda.
Peter Cheese, Chief Executive, CIPD

For more information about the pilot or the CIPD Trust please contact: cipdtrustteam@cipd.co.uk