About Prodigal Son
History
Established in 2003 and based at the Chaplaincy at HMP & YOI Ashfield near Bristol, Prodigal Son 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 to help address the often knotty problems facing these young men.
Vision
Prodigal Son 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.
Prodigal Son produces resources for prison chaplaincies, operates Community Chaplaincy initiatives as well as the award-winning 'Friends on the Out' (FotO) Volunteer Mentoring Scheme.
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
Present
Prodigal Son is a charity that works to help men young men in need.
As a relatively small, ambitious and growing charity, Prodigal Son relies on the hard work of commited volunteers to ensure it delivers high quality support that young offenders and ex-offenders require. If you would like to consider volunteering with Prodigal Son you can find out more here
Prodigal Son relies entirely on the generosity of its volunteers, supporters and on independent funding. You can find out more and give financially to the work of Prodigal Son here
Details
Prodigal Son Ministries is registered in the UK as a charitable trust number 1095671.
The registered office is Prodigal Son Ministries, Chaplaincy, HMP & YOI Ashfield, Shortwood Road, Pucklechurch, Bristol BS16 9QJ, UK
Further questions and information can be requested by contacting us