Since 2010, The Taylor Family Foundation has supported PET with £85,000 of funding, giving over 200 young prisoners in the South of England the chance to transform their lives through education. With their ongoing support, PET is able to provide distance learning courses, advice and guidance to around 400 young students each year.
Thanks to their recent grant, ‘Adam’ is now studying for an AS-Level in Psychology. In his application to PET, he described how he is “incredibly enthusiastic about studying psychology as it’s a subject [he’s] very passionate about.” Adam’s goal on release is to study Psychology at university. The grant from the Foundation has given him the chance to take the first step towards realising his ambitions.
After starting his course, Adam wrote to us:
“Thank you! If it wasn’t for you guys I wouldn’t be able to go to uni min. 23 because I’d have had to start college again upon release. You’re doing amazing work and I wouldn’t be surprised to see my parents cry when I tell them about this on a visit.”
Mr Neville Shepherd, Trustee of The Taylor Family Foundation, said:
Our grant provides young people with distance learning courses while serving their sentence. Through these PET is giving them the chance to build on their knowledge and resilience for release. We believe this impactful support is vital where someone is willing and able to find a fast route into or back to education, training or employment.
PET is most grateful to the Foundation for their dedication to our work with young prison learners. Hannah Richards, PET’s Trusts Fundraising Manager, said:
Without contributions from organisations like The Taylor Family Foundation, we would not be able to carry out our vital work, which is proven by the Ministry of Justice to reduce reoffending and increase prisoners’ job prospects after release.
If you work for a trust or foundation and are interested in partnering with PET, arranging a meeting, or visiting a prison education department with us to learn more about our programme, then please email our Trusts Fundraising Manager, Hannah Richards.