📧 Follow women's journeys to work and the employers making their hiring more inclusive
Our newsletter shares updates on the employers we’re working with, the progress they’re making, and the women moving into work with confidence.
workingchance.org/newsletter-s...
Having a conviction doesn’t just affect the past. It has lasting barriers to work, confidence & self-esteem.
We help women with convictions build the skills they need to take steps towards employment. And it works. 94% of women say we’ve improved their confidence to look for and apply for jobs.
It’s Trustees’ Week, and to mark the occasion we asked our board: What change do you most want to see in society for women with convictions?
Watch the clip to find out what they said. 👇
A recent #inspection revealed that 'many #women at #HMP Bronzefield were not released to sustainable #accommodation' upon release. #prisoners
Women in prison have significantly higher rates of harmful substance use than men.
They face greater health and social care needs and experience dependence & treatment differently. These figures highlight the need for services and initiatives tailored to the unique challenges women in prison face.
We’re trapped in a narrow conversation about trust and policing.
Instead of continuing to invest in policing reforms and solutions that do not work, let’s instead consider community initiatives that we know work to reduce crime - pastoral care, youth workers, mental health support.
Though 2.2% of the working-age population, Black women hold just 1.5% of leadership roles — and a conviction makes the barriers even steeper. 📉
That gap reflects racism, sexism, and systemic inequality.
This Black History Month, let’s think intersectionally, rethink hiring, and commit to equity.
Probation "weak" and short of 3,150 staff
The National Audit Office finds that since reunification, probation performance has declined, with significant staffing shortfalls and high workloads.
www.russellwebster.com/probation-we...
Black History Month is a reflection of the political moment, so how do we revamp it?
After hundreds of FairChecks supporters wrote to Lord Chancellor David Lammy calling for fairer criminal records checks, we received a response from Lord Timpson.
🔗Read the full letter here - and join the movement, if you haven't already! fairchecks.org.uk/lord-timpson...
A huge thank you for your support through the Big Give 💸
You raised over £17k — and every penny will go towards empowering women with convictions to build brighter futures.
Thank you for standing with us and believing in women's potential. ✨
Black history month: This Black History Month, we stand in solidarity with Black women navigating these intersecting injustices.
We stand in solidarity with Black women navigating these intersecting injustices, challenging inequality and advocating for a future where every woman with a conviction has a fair chance to rebuild her life through work.
In Black History Month, we reflect on injustices that persist.
Black women are more likely than white women to receive prison sentences for the same offence — and the impact doesn’t end there. Racism and the stigma of a criminal record make fair employment even harder to access.
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A megaphone with text that says: The far right have never been concerned with 'protecting women and girls'. It was always a cover for their racism. We say ENOUGH! The weaponisation of violence against women is #NotInOurName
These awful acts of violence against women and girls are enabled by racist narratives that are being endorsed and legitimised by those in the highest positions of power, who claim to be concerned with 'protecting women and girls from violence' - they are not.
200+ charities. One mission. Endless impact. 💜
From 8–15 Oct, the #WGMF will support over 200 incredible charities empowering women and girls worldwide. Every pound you give can be doubled, making your support go twice as far.
Watch to find out more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzy7...
🗓️ From 12pm on 8 October – 12pm on 15 October, your donation will be automatically doubled, to help women with convictions rebuild their confidence and self-worth, for many the first step in finding work.
Sign up now for a reminder when the Big Give starts 👇
workingchance.org/latest/save-...
“Sitting there in my headscarf as a very visible Muslim woman, there’s a lot of shame there for me.” - Amina, Working Chance client
Amina faced the justice system after leaving an abusive relationship. With Working Chance, she’s rebuilt her confidence and is back teaching.
👇
bit.ly/466M1PV
“I had my interview and got the job the same day! I was so happy! I never thought I'd get back into work.” – Amina
We help women with convictions build confidence, restore hope and find employment.
Looking for work, education or training after a conviction? 👇
workingchance.org/get-support/
Inspectors suggest that #neurodivergent #prisoners are still not identified early enough and support for them to achieve positive outcomes is variable.
While prisons recognise the value of education, training and purposeful activity, delivering it is another story. Barriers like staff shortages and limited resources often get in the way.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
Latest report from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons covers 14 women’s prisons. Key findings include:
🔹 Education & work were inadequate in 3 out of 4 prisons.
🔹 21% spent less than 2 hours out of their cells on weekdays.
🔹 Many women were left in distress, resorting to self-harm.
bit.ly/45h4pXc
Amnesty warns DWP's use of AI and automation in welfare is harming disabled people and digitally excluded claimants.
Half of Black women in the UK feel ignored when raising safety concerns during pregnancy, a new study finds. In prison, babies are five times more likely to be stillborn than in the community.
What does this mean for Black pregnant women in prison?
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Latest report from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons covers 14 women’s prisons. Key findings include:
🔹 Education & work were inadequate in 3 out of 4 prisons
🔹 21% spent less than 2 hours out of their cells on weekdays
🔹 Many women were left in distress, resorting to self-harm
bit.ly/45h4pXc
New data from DfE shows girls' exclusions have increased by 10% on last year - we're really concerned by the impact near-record levels of suspensions and exclusions will have on girls and their life chances.
Read our statement:
www.agendaalliance.org/news/agendaa...
“I am honoured and excited to be an ambassador and a champion for Working Chance” – Dr Lucy Baldwin
Drop a ❤️ to join us in welcoming Lucy to the Working Chance team!
🔗 Read more about her appointment:
workingchance.org/latest/dr-lu...
#Ambassador #JusticeReform #WorkingChance #Mothers
📢 Welcome, Dr Lucy Baldwin!
We’re so proud to introduce our first Working Chance ambassador. With 35+ years dedicated to supporting women in the justice system, Lucy is a true champion for change.
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St Mungo's chief Emma Haddad is urging the government to rethink its benefit cuts or risk pushing families into homelessness.
📣 Pact CEO Andy Keen-Downs CBE responds to the Chief Inspector of Prisons' annual report, published today: "More investment in improving prisoners’ family relationships would help to deliver safer prisons and reduce reoffending."
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Let’s work together to build a world where no woman is held back by her past.
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