Alumni Advisory Group (AAG) Member
Help shape the future of prison education. Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) is looking for passionate people with recent lived experience of prison education to join our Alumni Advisory Group (AAG).
As an AAG Member, your insight will directly influence how PET develops its services, policies and communications – ensuring that our work remains rooted in the real needs and experiences of learners.
About the role
AAG Members use their personal experience of prison education to support the development of PET and ensure our work remains learner-centred and life-changing. Meetings are held quarterly (three online, one in person).
Key responsibilities
Shape PET’s development: Inform and influence PET’s priorities, including taking part in four workshops or meetings to provide feedback and insight.
Contribute to government inquiry responses: Join discussions and workshops that help PET create impactful responses to government inquiries on the justice system.
Inform policy work: Share your experiences to help strengthen PET’s policy and advocacy work. Support and promote best practice in prison education.
Support PET communications: Contribute to blogs, personal stories, or other communications that raise awareness of PET’s work and keep supporters, learners and the public informed.
Take part in trustee subgroups: Participate in PET trustee subgroups – such as the Quality Assurance Panel – offering your perspectives at board level.
Who we’re looking for
We welcome applications from people who:
- Have recent lived experience of prison education
- Want to use their experience to create meaningful change
- Are comfortable sharing their perspectives in meetings or group discussions
- Care about improving access, quality and outcomes in prison education
What you’ll gain
- A platform to influence real change in prison education
- Opportunities to contribute to national policy conversations
- Learn about how charities work and find out more about the day to day running of PET ‑level groups
- A supportive environment to develop your voice and leadership skills through formal and informal training opportunities
Erika Flowers, a PET Alumni Advisory Group Member, told us:
“For me, as an artist who did not fit well into any employment position usually offered to people leaving prison, I found myself rather adrift!
“Slowly, I began to find new feet when I started to realise that my lived experience had validity, and my skills (which had rusted during my incarceration) may have a place within the Criminal Justice network.
“When I joined the PET Alumni Advisory Group, I was unsure as to what I could contribute. But as time passed, I began to see how PET took onboard what we, as alumni, were discussing, and how my experiences and ideas were valid. I consequently found a sense of pride: I was helping PET improve what they do, thus helping those currently in prison improve their life journey, especially in such an ever-changing and challenging environment.”
Another former Alumni Advisory Group Member said:
“Coming out of prison in the midst of the first Covid lockdown was a strange feeling, but once I had adjusted to my new life outside, I wanted to give back to some of the organisations that had supported me.
“Joining the PET Alumni Group that autumn felt like the right thing to do, sharing my opinions and thoughts with other people with lived experience of prison and feeling valued as a human being, never sensing any judgement about my past convictions.
“The Group became a welcoming forum where I felt I could discuss matters relating to distance learning, as well as prison education in general, and being a member inspired me to keep contributing to the work of PET.
“I’m pleased I took that decision to contact PET and join the Alumni Group, as it gave purpose to my life after a very dark period, encouraging me to view my lived experience as something positive and valuable which might help to change other peoples’ lives for the better.”
How to apply
If you’re passionate about improving prison education and want to help shape PET’s future direction, we would love to hear from you.
We are hosting an online meeting on 17 March for you to ask questions and find out more about the group. Please email Clare Lloyd, PET’s Head of Service Delivery, for details on how to join.