We're still collecting donations
On the 27th February 2021 we'd raised £10,015 with 36 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Mentoring for Prisoners and Ex-Offenders
by Arkbound Foundation in Bristol, England, United Kingdom
£10,015
raised so far+ est. £440.00
36
supportersWe are raising money to support the creation of paid mentoring roles for people with experience of custody to mentor their peers.
by Arkbound Foundation in Bristol, England, United Kingdom
New stretch target
Enlarge our project to cover more people!
Arkbound was founded as a social enterprise in 2015 by someone who spent time in prison and to this day we employ people with experience of custody, recognising that they encounter widespread disadvantages that can hinder rehabilitation.
Since 2018 we have been providing one to one mentoring for aspiring writers from disadvantaged backgrounds, matching them up with experienced authors to develop their writing skills. We are looking to expand this initiative to more people in custody, under our Writing Within Walls project, with the aim of employing mentors who have left prison and/or have experience of substance misuse, so they can more effectively support people from the same backgrounds. We will provide training and placements for these individuals to act as supporting mentors, with provisions to enable remote working so as to comply with COVID restrictions.
The power of literature, journalism and writing to reach people in prison is immense, especially at a time when many other opportunities have been curtailed and there are soaring mental health needs. Through this initiative, we expect to achieve:-
- Better levels of confidence and self-esteem for mentees who are in custody.
- Improved mental health for mentees.
- The direct employment of mentors who have experience of custody and/or substance misuse.
- Sustaining existing employment of people with these backgrounds.
- Through published writing, the dispelling of prejudices and discrimination towards those with these backgrounds, aiding rehabilitation and reducing re-offending.
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£10 or more
£10 Reward
Receive a free copy of our book, 'Writing Within Walls', featuring 20 pieces by male and female prisoners and ex-prisoners on the theme of 'Hope'. Comes with free bookmark.
£25 or more
£25 Reward
Receive a copy of the WWW book plus another of your choosing published by Arkbound.
£50 or more
£50 Reward
Receive a free copy of the WWW book plus two others published by Arkbound of your choosing. In addition, your name will be printed in the back of the WWW book (if you choose) as a supporter and we can mention you on social media.
£100 or more
£100 Reward
Got an idea for a book or already written part of it? We will carefully review your idea and work, providing detailed feedback for how it can be developed and improved, with a view to eventual publication.
£500 or more
£500 Reward
Have you written a full length book? We can provide an intensive edit up to the first 10,000 words, or an extract of your choosing up to this length, which puts it in the best shape for submission to an agent or publisher.