How often do you step beyond your comfort zone?
StandOut participants do it every day - meeting new people, trying unfamiliar things, stretching themselves to grow.
As a team, we push ourselves too.
Recently, Hannah tried something new. Here's what she learned: standout.org.uk/blog/comfort-zone
📰 In our first newsletter of the year:
- Stepping out of your comfort zone in prison.
- Coaching prison staff for real impact.
- Penny's vision for the MOJ.
- Our take on Waiting for the Out
- And lots more.
Read it here: eepurl.com/juSTPs
Great article from @revdoors.bsky.social on the pilot using AI face-scanning check-ins for people on probation. It may ease pressure, but at what cost?
Relationships are key for rebuilding lives after prison. Tech should support people, not replace human connection.
bit.ly/4r0qRf3
Growth mindset in action. At StandOut, we ask participants to stretch themselves every day. This week, our team did the same. Hannah headed into HMP Pentonville to coach. Her reflections show how powerful it is when we choose learning over comfort.
Read the blog: standout.org.uk/blog/comfort-zone
Congratulations to the winners! 🏆
For a small charity, this means a lot. It celebrates what we do: listening, amplifying real voices, and centring those who know best.
Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, trusted us, and shaped the campaign. And thanks to Big Give for shining a light on values‑driven communication.
We've been "highly commended" in the @biggive.bsky.social Christmas Challenge 2025 Awards!
"Judges praised their ethical storytelling approach, placing lived experience at the centre of their communications & allowing the communities they serve to shape the narrative."
biggive.org/blog/2026/01...
It's your LAST chance to vote for our film in the Smiley Charity Film Awards!
It only takes 10 seconds and could help us win recognition for our vital work.
Voting closes TOMORROW 👉 bit.ly/3NuciC7
We're entrants in the Smiley Charity Film Awards - and we need YOUR vote!
Our film - made in-house - features letters written by StandOut participants, encouraging people leaving prison to draw on the courage and resilience they need to rebuild their lives.
Take 10 seconds to vote 👉 bit.ly/3NuciC7
We welcome the report, and recommendations, which is wide-ranging and paints a fuller picture of life after prison. It recognises that finding and sustaining employment is just one piece of the puzzle when supporting people to rebuild their lives – where third sector organisations play a vital role.
The London Assembly has published its report on employment in London after prison; an investigation we contributed to over the summer. With levels of employment for prison leavers in London lower than the national average, it is important we have this conversation.
www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/w...
It's a privilege to be able to continue working with someone beyond our three-week course - for as long as they need.
It's the first week after the break and StandOut prison coaches have been back on the wings, checking in with participants and seeing what they need. For some, this will be a coaching conversation. For others, practical support with accommodation, immigration, mental health, or anything in between.
Finally, our most-read blog of 2025 was: "What makes a good prison officer. According to people who have been in prison."
We asked people who've spent time in custody about what officers can do to build effective relationships with people in prison.
Read what they said 👇
Number two in our top three blogs of 2025 is: "Volunteering in prison, it's a bit different."
Volunteering with StandOut in prison is unlike most other volunteer opportunities. Find out why we open up our programme to volunteers, and what volunteering with us looks like.
Read the blog 👇
We're looking back at our most-read blogs of 2025. First up, “Focusing on your strengths in prison.”
People in prison are constantly reminded of their mistakes. What happens when you're reminded of your strengths? Affirmations & challenges help participants see their potential, set goals & grow.
The relationship is the most important thing.
In this blog, CEO and Founder, @penny-parker.bsky.social, reflects on the power of relationships and others believing in you – sparked by our supporters’ event with Jacob Dunne.
standout.org.uk/blog/the-most-important-thing
Penny was invited onto the show to speak about gaps in support that exist for people leaving prison, how StandOut steps in to bridge them, and, of course, her vision for a better justice system - with the voluntary sector at its core.
Learn what StandOut CEO and Founder @penny-parker.bsky.social would do if she were given the keys to the Ministry of Justice, in this episode of the 'All Things Conflict' podcast with Maria Arpa.
We're entrants in the Smiley Charity Film Awards - and we need YOUR vote!
It only takes 10 seconds and could help us win recognition for our vital work with people leaving London's prisons.
Please vote here 👉 smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/courag...
Life after prison is complicated. People need courage & resilience to navigate the journey.
StandOut offers open-ended support that bridges the transition from prison to the community, walking alongside people as they rebuild their lives.
Alex embodies that courage & resilience. Read his story 👇
At our recent event, the message from Jacob Dunne was this:
"The quality of your life can be measured in the quality of your relationships."
Penny reflects on the power of relational working and of others holding belief in you until you can hold it yourself.
www.standout.org.uk/blog/the-mos...
Our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge has come to an end!
We raised an incredible £80,202 - increasing to £88,431 with Gift Aid!
✨THANK YOU to every single one of you who donated and helped to make it happen✨
Still want to support us? 👉 standout.org.uk/getinvolved
There are 24 hours to go until the end of the #ChristmasChallenge! You can double your donation via the @biggive.bsky.social until 12pm tomorrow.
Help us to reach our £80,000 target!
To donate, click here 👉 bit.ly/standoutchristmas2025
With stigma, low confidence & limited opportunities, finding work after prison is tough. StandOut builds skills & confidence, then supports people into jobs when ready.
Double your donation via the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge till 9 Dec: bit.ly/standoutchristmas2025
Leaving prison can be isolating. StandOut coaches build trusting relationships, but it takes courage & resilience to grow wider support networks. In letters, participants urge each other to reach out.
Double your donation via the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge till 9 Dec: bit.ly/standoutchristmas2025
Mental health can be a challenge after prison. It takes courage to ask for help & resilience to keep asking. StandOut creates safe spaces & connects people to support.
Double your donation via the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge till 9 Dec: bit.ly/standoutchristmas2025
Leaving prison often means lacking essentials. StandOut provides release packs & grants, plus long‑term support to build courage & resilience. In letters, participants urged each other to “KEEP ON GOING.”
Double your donation via Big Give #ChristmasChallenge till 9 Dec: bit.ly/standoutchristmas2025
⌛ We’re 24 hours into the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge.
So far, you've helped us raise £14,630 of our £80,000 target!
Please continue to donate & repost. Donations to StandOut via the Big Give will be doubled until 12pm on 9 Dec!
To donate, click here 👉 bit.ly/standoutchristmas2025
🙌 It’s #GivingTuesday, and the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge has begun!
For one week only, donations to StandOut via the Big Give will be DOUBLED, at no extra cost to you. Double the donation, double the impact.
To donate, click here 👉 bit.ly/standoutchristmas2025
