Working Chance

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.

YouTube video by Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund 2025: Campaign Video (#WGMF)

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-...

Amina’s story: the justice system, faith, and carrying shame Amina grew up in a close-knit Muslim family with her mum and two younger sisters. As the eldest daughter, it was important to her to work hard and excel academically. She earned a science degree and l...

“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/

Four years on: Neurodiversity in prisons – HM Inspectorate of Prisons We use some essential cookies to make this service work.

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

DWP’s 'unhealthy' AI obsession is trapping people in poverty, Amnesty report finds

Amnesty warns DWP's use of AI and automation in welfare is harming disabled people and digitally excluded claimants.

Half of black women in UK who raise concerns during labour did not receive suitable help, study finds Maternity experiences of more than 1,000 pregnant people found black women up to four times more likely to die in childbirth

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

Agenda Alliance responds to sharp rise in girls' exclusions

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...

Dr Lucy Baldwin announced as Working Chance’s first ambassador We’re delighted to share the news that Dr Lucy Baldwin is joining the Working Chance team as an ambassador.

“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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Benefit cuts are not a 'pathway to work' – they risk making people homeless

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."

Newsletter Sign Up Working Chance is the UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions.

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workingchance.org/newsletter

Let’s work together to build a world where no woman is held back by her past.

#Newsletter #Women #Employment #CJSReform

📨 Be the first to know!

Sign up for our newsletter and stand with women working to rebuild their lives.

Your support opens doors, whether by spreading awareness, reposting, or signing up for updates from us.

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Single mum landed in court over store cards and buy now, pay later debt

As the government tries to end the 'wild west' of buy now, pay later loans, an ethical lender says it has an alternative to the debt cycle.

For employers Working Chance is the UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions.

Visit our website and find out how we can support your organisation.

👉 Work with us: workingchance.org/for-employers/

#WorkingChance #Employment #EDI #CorporateSocialResponsibility

🔁 Employment breaks the cycle of reoffending

At Working Chance, we partner with over 130 employers to open job opportunities for women with convictions.

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🎬 In cinemas this summer: HOLLOWAY

This film shines an honest light on female prison experience, it is a tribute to sisterhood and survival, ‘made for the girls who never got the chance to tell their story.’

If you see one film this summer, make it this.

🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/4kfqme9

📣 The impact of our work is clear

Last year at Working Chance:
🔹 248 women were supported with their employability
🔹 90% still in their role 12 months later
🔹 89% said they felt more hopeful about their future

When women with convictions get the right support, they thrive.

#Charity #Impact

Lauren’s story: A path to a brighter future Meet Lauren and learn how trauma and mental health challenges can play a role in women’s offending, and the barriers many face when trying to rebuild their lives.

Lauren’s conviction happened during a mental health crisis. She’d overcome a drug addiction, but after losing her dad, she relapsed.

With Working Chance by her side, Lauren found the confidence to rebuild her life.

Read her story 👇

bit.ly/4kI4f0h

#MentalHealth #Employment #Charity #Women

When Lauren came to Working Chance, she felt overwhelmed and unsure how to find work again with a conviction.

But with our support, she regained confidence, rebuilt her life and is now back helping others.

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Donate Help us build a world where no woman is held back by her conviction

Small charities like ours truly make a big difference. With your support, we can continue helping women build brighter futures.

Please consider donating today and stand with us in supporting women to thrive. 💛

workingchance.org/donate/

#SmallCharityWeek #SupportWomen