“The universe takes care of all its birds.”
This is one of my favourite lines from a book. For me it means even in the most difficult circumstances, even when you can’t see it, there is someone somewhere trying to make things better.
I often think of the line when the challenges in our prison system seem insurmountable – it reminds me to look for all the people making a difference…
Our supporters
In a year which has been difficult for so many, our supporters’ commitment to PET’s work has been incredible and brought hope to so many learners in prison.
They have just helped us smash our Big Give Christmas Challenge, raising £43,765.
This is amazing, especially when I also think of the generous support they gave our Radio 4 appeal in May, and not to mention the many kind donations we have received from them across the year. We have also been fortunate to benefit from the support of a range of grant-making trusts and businesses.
Together they have all helped to fund over 1,500 courses for people in prison during 2024 and to ensure we start 2025 on a positive footing.
PET learners
PET learners in prison have been amazing. Not only are their learning achievements brilliant, but their feedback improved the range and depth of resources we provide, informed our research report, Young women’s education in prison, and shaped our briefing for the new government, Getting prison education right.
It was inspiring to share Joanna’s story of how living in an unsafe property with her children led her to study health and safety courses in prison and rebuild her life. And Collins’ story of coming full circle, from studying for a degree in prison to joining the PET team.
With the recruitment of our new Chair and Lived Experience Consultants – who have written so compellingly about their work with PET – lived experience continues to grow as the core of our organisation.
Prison education staff
We know how difficult it is for prison education staff working in tough circumstances, but we see time and again all the staff in prison making a difference, inspiring learners and ensuring people are prepared and ready to study.
During the year we bolstered our support for prison staff so that we can support more people, together – producing a range of information videos and broadening the resources available on the prison staff area of our website.
Our course providers
The providers we work with at PET are critical too. Whether they are adapting courses for learning in prison, helping students directly with tutor support or working with us to create digital content, our course providers understand the environment we work in.
In addition to the many paper-based courses in our prospectus launched at the start of the year, a range of expert organisations also helped us develop some exciting digital taster courses – a big step forward for studying in prison.
Our team
Our small team – there’s 22 of us and eight Lived Experience Consultants – achieve a huge amount every year but 2024 has been a big one, and my colleagues have worked incredibly hard to help as many people as possible.
They’ve supported learners on over 3,400 occasions so far this year – whether that’s giving guidance on how to apply and what course to choose or offering assistance with studying.
Their expertise along with the views of learners also informed our response to Ofsted’s Big Listen and to an inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sport and Physical Activity in the Criminal Justice System.
Working together to make things better
We know the impact prison education can have. It’s demonstrated in the evidence review we published earlier this year.
Better still, it’s clear from the postcards, letters and feedback forms we receive from learners. Sarah started our Business Skills for the Fitness Professional course earlier this year:
Our supporters, learners, prison and education staff, course providers, my wonderful colleagues and the myriad of voluntary sector organisations who work in education all contribute to that impact, working together to make things a little bit better.
That is a powerful thing. Thank you for the difference you make.
If you celebrate, I wish you a happy Christmas, and I wish you all a restful festive break.
P.S. In case you’re wondering, the line is from Wonder by R. J. Palacio.
Donate to PET and help people in prison find a new direction. You can also sign up to our email newsletter. Illustration by PET Lived Experience Consultant Erika – find more of her work here.