Mentoring journey

Lynn began her work at HMP Styal by mentoring two individuals, both of whom have since been released. Her commitment to mentoring stems from a desire to give back to the community and leverage her extensive experience in coaching and HR to support those who face significant barriers to employment. The role requires a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals leaving prison, including rebuilding relationships, securing housing, and navigating the complexities of the job market.

Challenges in transition

One of the most challenging aspects of Lynn’s role is supporting mentees through their transition from prison to the outside world. The immediate period following release is often overwhelming, as mentees must engage with multiple agencies such as probation services, housing authorities, and employment leads. Lynn’s role involves not only providing direct mentoring support but also coordinating with her Styal contacts, to ensure that her mentees receive comprehensive support across all other areas of their lives.

Lynn emphasises the importance of patience and flexibility as a mentor. Mentees often have many different elements to navigate when they come out of prison ranging from finding stable housing to re-establishing family connections and these often need to be addressed before they can fully focus on finding a job. Lynn’s approach is adaptable, meeting mentees where they are and supporting them according to their individual needs.

Building trust and empowerment

Lynn feels that building a strong, trusting relationship is critical to the success of the mentoring programme. This approach enables her to guide mentees through practical aspects of job-seeking, such as understanding the recruitment process, completing application forms, and identifying potential employers.

The mentoring relationship often goes beyond the logistical elements of finding a job. Lynn also works to build her mentees’ confidence, which is often low after leaving prison. She takes time to help her mentees explore their strengths, understand their options, and set realistic goals. Both of Lynn’s mentees expressed an interest in working in the beauty sector. Lynn worked with one mentee to identify prior experience and transferrable skills and she is now considering the hospitality sector where she has prior experience and could more easily transition into employment.

Navigating employment barriers

 A significant part of Lynn’s role involves coaching her mentees on how to handle the topic of their convictions during the job search process. This includes discussing when and how to disclose their conviction in a positive way whilst emphasising their commitment to change.

Lynn’s approach to understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by her mentees, along with her ability to adapt and respond to their evolving needs, is helping them navigate the journey beyond the prison gates. Through her work, Lynn is not only supporting her mentees in finding employment but is also empowering them to rebuild their lives with confidence and hope for the future.

Please register your interest if you’d like to find out more about mentoring a person with a conviction.

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