Family and friends

We know that friends and family often play a key role in encouraging someone to make the most of their time in prison, helping them take up distance learning and supporting them through the course.

If you want to support a loved one to start or continue their learning journey, we can help.

How we work

We are a charity that funds people in prison to complete distance learning courses, giving them the chance to study subjects and levels that otherwise might not be available.

Friends and family are not able to apply for funding on behalf of their loved one: people in prison must apply for funding themselves, with the assistance of a prison staff member – usually a member of the education department – who provides them with a form and a written endorsement for the application.

You can find information about the application process and what courses are available in our prison staff section.

Other useful organisations:

Hardman Trust: Hosts a directory which covers a huge array of funding available to people during and after prison

Unlock: Offers advice and support for people after release from prison

Forward Trust: Helps people with a history of addiction to move forward with their lives