About Friends on the Out
History
Established in 2003 and based at the Chaplaincy at HMP & YOI Ashfield near Bristol, the charity Prodigal Son Ministries grew from the fruitful work of the Chaplaincy and the vision of Senior Chaplain Nick Hay.
Tired of seeing young men commit to turning their lives around in prison but end up back in trouble after release, Nick started Prodigal Son and its mentoring arm, Friends on the Out, to help address the often knotty problems facing these young men.
In July 2011 Prodigal Son Ministries' work was so successful that Serco took over its finances. The founding charity, Prodigal Son Ministries, was wound down and Friends on the Out continues to be run on Christian ethics directly from Ashfield Chaplaincy, under the management of the Head Chaplain.
Vision
The award-winning voluntary 'Friends on the Out' (FotO) mentoring scheme begun by Prodigal Son Ministries, aims to reduce re-offending by supporting young men as they move away from crime and towards living positive, purposeful and productive lives in the community.
Achievements
2003
Charity founded
Sponsored lock-in raises funds
2004
Jo Crowther starts as first Project Manager
'Sorted' course developed
2005
Initial steps taken to support ex-offenders post-release in the local community
Mission trips to Northern Ireland and NGM
2006
John Kendall takes over as Project Manager
Friends on the Out (FotO) Volunteer Mentoring scheme launched
First 6 FotO Mentors trained
2007
Lockdown FM launched
Philip Kelly takes over as Project Manager
Over 20 FotO Mentors trained
2008
Clare Isbell starts as Administrator
John Stacy-Marks starts as Community Chaplain for South Wales
FotO registered with Mentoring and Befriending Foundation (MBF)
Ashfield Staff Mentoring (ASM) scheme launched
FotO won 'Outstanding Contribution to Working with Offenders' at Avon and Somerset Local Justice Awards
First 'Mentor Taster Evening' held at Ashfield
2009
Project 50 launched
Over 50 Volunteer Mentors trained
Nominated for National Justice Award
New website launched
Achieved Mentoring and Befriending Foundation's Approved Provider Standard
James Nice starts as Community Chaplain for Southampton and Portsmouth
2010
Hilary Field joins as Project Manager
Sue Harvey joins as part-time Administrator
2 courses to train Ashfield staff completed
Training course in South Wales completed
Training course in Portsmouth completed
10 minute promotional DVD explaining the work of a FotO mentor filmed
2011
Training Course for Ashfield Staff completed
Links with London Christian Charities forged
Links with Devon and Cornwall Community Chaplaincy forged
July 2011
The Charity Prodigal Son Ministries is dissolved
Serco take over the support of Friends on the Out voluntary Mentoring Scheme
Present
Friends on the Out (FotO) is a voluntary mentoring scheme that works to help men young men in need.
As a relatively small, ambitious and growing project, FotO relies on the hard work of its commited volunteers to ensure it delivers high quality support that young offenders and ex-offenders require. If you would like to consider volunteering with Friends on the Out you can find out more here
Details
The registered office is Friends on the Out, Chaplaincy, HMP & YOI Ashfield, Shortwood Road, Pucklechurch, Bristol BS16 9QJ, UK
Further questions and information can be requested by contacting us