This week Reed In Partnership brought together organisations who are all united by a goal to create more opportunities for prison leavers and reduce reoffending rates.
The meeting was organised as part of our delivery of the CFO Evolution service in South London. Joining us were some of the existing partners of The Opportunity Network: Social Pantry, Redemption Roasters and The Clink Charity, as well as new representatives joining the network from The Right Course and Only a Pavement Away.
Our collaboration is focused on more employment and training opportunities for prison leavers. This includes how we can facilitate more employer interactions within prisons and how to improve pathways for prison leavers from custody to employment and societal integration.
The meeting also reviewed The Opportunity Network’s first event held at the Old Bailey which brought together representatives from multiple organisations. This included members of The Opportunity Network, judges attending as speakers, discussing the importance of giving people second chances and a panel of guest speakers. The purpose of this event was to encourage and support employers committed to creating opportunities for prison leavers and people with criminal convictions through employment.
Our Reed In Partnership representative on the day, CFO Through The Gate Coordinator, Jasmina ‘Jaz’ Vulic shares her reflections on the meeting:
It was fantastic to see so many organisations come together with a shared commitment to creating opportunities for prison leavers. The success of The Opportunity Network’s first event has given us real momentum, and I'm excited about what we can achieve through continued collaboration, employer engagement and the opportunities that lie ahead.
The success of The Opportunity Network's first event has created significant momentum among partners, with unanimous support for a follow-up event in the near future. Currently being planned for early 2027, it will build on the success of the original by bringing together even more employers and partner organisations. Alongside continuing to promote the benefits of hiring prison leavers and people with criminal convictions, the event will also place a greater focus on developing work experience opportunities, helping to create even stronger pathways from custody into sustainable employment.
You can find out more about our delivery of the CFO Evolution service at CFO Evolution
