StandOut

Stepping out of your comfort zone in prison — StandOut Hannah usually sits behind a desk at StandOut HQ but recently stepped out of her comfort zone and into the classroom at Pentonville prison to coach the most recent cohort of StandOut participants.

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.

Employment in London after prison The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has published its report highlighting the challenges prison leavers face in accessing employment, and the impact this has on London’s economy.

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.

What makes a good prison officer. According to people who have been in prison. — StandOut We asked our participants (all of whom have spent time in prison) what sets a “good” prison officer apart from the rest. Their reflections formed the basis of our response to the government’s inquiry…

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 👇

Volunteering in prison, it's a bit different — StandOut Volunteering in a prison is unique, and so worthwhile. Our Communications Lead, Hannah, writes about why we invite volunteers to join us inside – and the impact this has on our participants,…

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 👇

Focusing on your strengths in prison — StandOut People in prison are constantly reminded of their mistakes. So, what happens when you are instead reminded of your strengths? In this blog, Rosie, one of our coaches, shares how affirmations and…

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.

Join us for this episode of All Things Conflict with host Maria Arpa as she sits down with Penny Parker, a former corporate lawyer turned advocate for restorative justice. In this episode, Penny… Unlocking Second Chances: How Stand Out is Transforming Lives After Prison

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 👇

The relationship is the most important thing — StandOut StandOut CEO and Founder, Penny Parker, reflects on the power - for people leaving prison - of relationships and others believing in you. A blog sparked by our supporters’ event with Jacob Dunne.

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

- YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

📢 24 hours until the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge!

For one week - from 12 noon tomorrow - donations made via the Big Give will be DOUBLED.

Hear StandOut participants remind each other to draw on the courage & resilience they need to rebuild a life after prison 👉

- YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Seen our video for the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge?

It features powerful letters between StandOut participants – thoughtful, encouraging messages about the courage & resilience it takes to rebuild a life after prison.

Their words are raw, real, & full of hope 👉

- YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

There's a week to go until the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge!

Our programme supports people to build the courage & resilience they need to leave the justice system behind and truly begin to thrive.

Hear participants remind each other of the strengths they share 👇

bit.ly/courageandre...