We are thrilled that our recent Crowdfunder has raised a brilliant £16,158 thanks to our fantastic supporters and match-funding from Aviva.

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They money raised from this project will help people returning to the UK after serving a prison sentence abroad to gain financial independence and reintegrate into society with dedicated 1-2-1 support from our resettlement team in the form of:

• Financial literacy and budgeting workshops to teach essential financial skills, enabling individuals to manage resources effectively.
• Employment support, such as CV writing and interview coaching, to help returnees secure sustainable employment.
• Access to financial services. Resettlement officers guide returnees through complex processes such as opening a bank account, helping them overcome barriers to financial stability.
• Housing and benefits advice on housing options and benefit eligibility, which helps to reduce financial stress and prevent homelessness. These are also complicated processes that people would have great difficulty with without the 1-2-1 guidance of Prisoners Abroad staff.
• Support groups for former prisoners to share experiences and provide practical advice, fostering community and confidence at a particularly lonely time.
• Digital skills training on essential financial technology such as online banking, improving digital literacy and empowering individuals to manage their finances independently.
• Building confidence and reducing financial anxiety. Combining wellbeing support with financial guidance helps individuals to manage money-related anxiety and set achievable goals.

This kind of guidance can be crucial for people like Tony, who returned to the UK after a prison sentence in the USA:

"After my deportation, Prisoners Abroad was invaluable in setting me up. They helped me prepare for release, told me where to go and what to do when I arrived back in the UK, got me into emergency accommodation for a couple of months, and helped set up my universal credit application. I had no money to fall back on, so would have been at a complete loss without that guidance.

Prisoners Abroad helped me to find safety. Having somewhere to live is so important, because once you’ve got that you can start getting your mindset right, but it’s hard to do one without the other. 

 After all of Prisoners Abroad's support, I'm in my own flat now and I love it - it’s absolutely perfect for me. Prisoners Abroad even sent me a moving in card signed by all their staff. I enjoy having my own space after all the years crowded in one place with other people. My main acquaintances are those I work with and I have a lot of time for them. 

I took part in Prisoners Abroad's Work Preparation Programme and they referred me to another charity who gave me some training whilst I volunteered for them as a peer advisor. I now hold a Level 3 qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance, and I've since joined the charity as a caseworker.

I know firsthand how very difficult it is to integrate back into society. The loneliness of a prison sentence stays with you long after you've been released. I’m 67 years old now, but I've prioritised getting back on my feet and getting myself trained, and I want my contribution to be positive."

Thank you so much to everybody who donated, shared and supported this project!