Trailblazers Mentoring

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Trailblazers Mentoring

Pioneering national charity reducing among leaving prison. Changing attitudes

09/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day 2026

This year's theme, "Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change," resonates strongly with our work at Trailblazers.

Every day, our volunteer mentors provide a listening ear to people preparing for release from prison, helping them build confidence, feel supported and look towards the future with hope.

As one mentee told us:
"Just being able to talk about how I feel makes a big difference."

Another shared:
"I don't feel so alone now I have Trailblazers support."

These real voices show the power of being heard.

Alongside mentoring, we're proud to partner with AbleFutures, offering free and confidential mental health support to eligible mentees, mentors, staff and trustees.

Together, we're helping people feel heard, improve their wellbeing, reduce reoffending and inspire new futures. 💚

08/10/2026

There's no space in prison. But is there space in the community?

As the early release scheme continues, some people are being released from prison with nowhere to go.

We're seeing the impact first-hand: last-minute accommodation searches, uncertainty about what comes next, and people trying to rebuild their lives without the stability of a place to call home.

We're also seeing the dedication of prison and probation colleagues who, despite significant pressures and ongoing change, continue working tirelessly to help people make a successful transition back into the community.

A home isn't just a roof over someone's head.

It's the foundation for finding work, accessing healthcare, reconnecting with family and building a positive future. Without that stability, even the first steps after release can become much harder.

Early release may create space inside prisons, but creating space is only part of the answer. People also need the time, support and stable accommodation that make successful resettlement possible.

That's why Trailblazers starts supporting people before release and continues walking alongside them in the community. We help people navigate housing, access support services and overcome the practical barriers that can quickly become overwhelming after release.

Creating space in prison is only part of the answer.
The real goal is successful resettlement.

If you're an employer, housing provider, funder, volunteer or advocate, your support can help people leaving prison build the foundations they need to succeed.
Find out more about our work and how you can help inspire new futures.

06/10/2026

The most powerful part of James’ story may be what comes next.

After receiving support through Trailblazers, securing accommodation, finding employment and reconnecting with his family, James has decided he wants to give back.

His next goal?

To become a mentor himself.

James has already spoken to new volunteer mentors about his experiences and represented Trailblazers at community events.

That is the ripple effect of mentoring.

One person receives support.

They rebuild their life.

Then they inspire and support others to do the same.

This is what lasting change looks like.

Congratulations, James. We are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved and grateful that you want to help others follow the same path.

Could you become part of someone else's success story? Contact us to learn about volunteering, partnership or funding opportunities.

02/10/2026

Black History Month 2026: Honouring Our Communities

What makes a community?

It is not just where we live. It is the people who help shape who we are.

This year's Black History Month theme, Honouring Our Communities, celebrates the people, relationships and shared experiences that help us find strength, belonging and pride.

Across generations, Black communities have created spaces of support, resilience and opportunity, often in the face of significant challenges. These communities continue to shape lives through culture, family, friendship, leadership and care.

At Trailblazers, we see the importance of community every day. Whether inside prison or beyond the prison gate, a sense of connection and belonging can make a powerful difference.

This Black History Month, we'll be sharing reflections from members of our community on identity, resilience and the people who have helped shape their journey.

Who in your community has helped make you who you are today?

30/09/2026

Tick the box. Increase your impact. ✅

Today is Gift Aid Awareness Day.

Charity Finance Group

If you're a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid allows Trailblazers to receive an extra 25% on your donation at no extra cost to you.

Trailblazers provides one-to-one mentoring and practical support to people in prison and after release, helping them build confidence, access opportunities and create positive futures.

A small tick can help us support even more people to move forward with hope.

🔗 Donate today: https://www.trailblazersmentoring.org.uk/donate/

28/09/2026

What difference can one trusted relationship make?

For James, it helped change the direction of his life.

When he left prison, James’ Trailblazers mentor, met him at the prison gate and continued to support him through the challenges of resettlement.

Fast forward to today:

✅ He has secure accommodation
✅ He has a job with prospects
✅ He has reconnected with his family
✅ He has renewed confidence in his future

Behind every one of those outcomes is commitment, determination and the support of people who refused to give up on him.

Stories like James’ remind us why mentoring matters.

When people leaving prison have the right support, they can build stable, positive futures and break the cycle of reoffending.

We are always keen to hear from employers who believe in second chances. Could your organisation help create opportunities for people rebuilding their lives?

24/09/2026

🎨 Sometimes one experience can reignite a passion and change someone's direction.

Thanks to funding from National Lottery Community Fund, mentees on our Trailblazers programme recently enjoyed new experiences including an Uber Boat trip along the Thames and a visit to Splat Art.

One mentee, who is incredibly talented artistically, had stopped focusing on his art. His mentor chose the Splat Art experience to help him reconnect with something that had always been important to him.

The day reminded him of his creativity and inspired him to start investing in his art again.

For people leaving prison, opportunities like these can have a lasting impact. They build confidence, strengthen wellbeing and help people see new possibilities for their future.

Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for making experiences like this possible and helping us inspire new futures.

Interested in supporting our work? We'd love to hear from you.

22/09/2026

From homelessness to hope

Just weeks before his release from prison, James was told he could be leaving with nowhere to live.

His probation address had fallen through and he faced the very real prospect of homelessness.

At one of the most uncertain points in his life, James was introduced to Trailblazers and met his mentor. Within days, support was put in place and a pathway forward began to emerge.

What started as a conversation became a lifeline.

At Trailblazers, mentoring begins before release and continues beyond the prison gate, helping people navigate some of life's biggest challenges, including housing, employment and rebuilding relationships.

Today, James is celebrating his graduation from the Trailblazers programme.

And this is only the beginning of his story.

Want to help more people build a positive future after prison? Contact us to learn about volunteering, partnership or funding opportunities.

❤️ rs

21/09/2026

Community Support Worker | Trailblazers Mentoring

We're recruiting for a Community Support Worker to support people as they transition from prison into the community.

Working across HMP Bullingdon, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, you'll provide practical resettlement support, coordinate access to local services, work alongside volunteer mentors, and help people build the foundations for a more stable future.

We're looking for someone with experience in casework, support services, criminal justice, housing, employability, mental health, substance misuse or related sectors, who can build strong relationships and maintain a person-centred approach.

Role details
• Permanent
• 22.5 hours per week
• Hybrid/home-based working
• £26,600 - £27,500 FTE (£15,960 - £16,500 pro rata)
• Closing date: 21 September

This is an exciting opportunity to help reduce reoffending, improve outcomes for people leaving prison, and support our mission to inspire new futures.

📧 Apply: [email protected]

16/09/2026

Every meal paid forward creates an opportunity for someone to move forward.

Trailblazers are delighted to be partnering with Social Bite

Social Bite works to tackle homelessness through food, support, employment opportunities and homes.

Through their Pay It Forward scheme, customers fund meals for people experiencing homelessness and food poverty. Thanks to this generosity,

Trailblazers can now offer our mentees vouchers for a meal, snack and drink at Social Bite's café on The Strand.

When someone is rebuilding their life after prison, practical support matters. A meal can provide dignity, stability and one less challenge to face during a difficult transition.

Thank you to Social Bite and everyone who has contributed to the Pay It Forward scheme. Together, we're helping people improve their life outcomes, reduce the likelihood of reoffending and build positive futures beyond prison.

Address

New Road, Featherstone
Wolverhampton
WV107PY

Telephone

+448001934046

Website

http://www.trailblazersmentoring.org.uk/

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