intense day of release support
Most people believe the day of release from prison is a day filled with joy and excitement at the prospect of freedom and a fresh start. Release Mates recognises that for many, this is not the case. Fear and anxiety have a profound impact causing each person to immediately return to the behaviours which took them to prison in the first place. Read how our wraparound support prevents this and leaves each person with all the tools needed to successfully resettle in their community.
post release support
Resettling in the community is more challenging now than ever before. Statutory services are stretched, meaning prison leavers' needs are often not met. Our aftercare service, affectionately known as 'Abby's Army' stays in touch with each person we support regularly offering an informal mentoring and buddying service.
Abby's Army is proving to be a popular and vital lifeline for people without family and social connection which is an integral part of successful reintegration and rehabilitation.
By women who have left prison,
for women who are leaving prison
Women make up a small percentage of the prison population, often meaning they are neglected by services who focus on men. Release Mates Women follows the same path as the men's project but is run solely by our female team members for ladies being released from women's prisons
release mates departure lounges
Many people are released from prison with very little. Some are released from prisons a long way from home in rural locations, without any idea how to get to public transport links.
Release Mates Departure Lounges outside prisons offer practical support by way of providing necessities such as food and clothes, whilst offering the experience and knowledge of people who have navigated away from the revolving door of prisons to lead a meaningful life.
Meet The Team
Each member of our team has their own story which enables us to offer tailored support to the people we support. Come and learn more about us
The Choose Life Project
The Choose Life Project was created by former prison officer, Steve Duffy, after he recognised that most people in the criminal justice system suffer from addiction. Release Mates delivers this project to schools, prisons, and police across to raise awareness of the reasons people go to prison
Gallery
Have a look at some of our memorable moments
tailored through-the-gate and resettlement support for men and women leaving prison, from people who have successfully rehabilitated
OVER 100 YEARS EXPERIENCE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
2500+
PEOPLE SUPPORTED
100%
Lived Experience
OUR STORY
When our Founder, David Dunn, was released from HMP Preston in 2022, he recognised a big gap in the provision of support for people leaving prison. David believed that he could help people with practical support while offering hope and belief from his own experience of leaving prison. Release Mates was born and a small army of change-makers began to grow
We're here to help
get in touch
Phone: 07553 086960
E-Mail: help@releasemates.org
Address: Suite RA01, 195 - 197 Wood Street. London E17 3NU