Trail-Blazers.org.uk is a UK-based youth prisoner mentoring service
Title
Trailblazers - Mentoring and Skills Training at Feltham Young Offenders
Description
Mission
"Trailblazers is committed to improving the lives of young offenders in custody by developing their abilities and self esteem, through mentoring, to enable them to make positive choices."
What is Trailblazers?
Trailblazers is a mentoring programme based inside HMYOI Feltham, providing Mentors to male young offenders in custody aged between 15 and 21. Mentees are linked to a Volunteer Mentor from the community for approximately one year. Visits take place inside the prison every 2 weeks during the last 6 months of his sentence then continue for a further 6 months post-release to help ease the transition back into society. In addition Trailblazers also offer a life skills programme for prisoners, topics include careers advice, job search skills, interview techniques, drug and alcohol awareness and making choices, which all help prepare for their release.
So why Mentoring?
There are many reasons why young people commit crimes, however the lack of positive role models, knowledge of the opportunities available to young people and a lack of self-esteem are major factors. Mentors aim to encourage young offenders to think about their future while they are still in custody. They spend their visits discussing the options available after release, while challenging previous patterns of behaviour. Post release the Mentor is available for information and assistance in applying to colleges, for jobs etc. as well as general support, guidance and encouragement. Someone who actually cares about them and with whom they can share when things are going both good and bad.
