Ancient ideas. Modern lives. Real second chances.

What if the words that shaped ancient civilisations could help someone rewrite their future?

The ACE project wants to widen access to the study of antiquity and philosophy for society’s most marginalised learners, those in prison. After a successful pilot in 2024-2025 (funded by Durham University and the Sidney Black Trust), Edith Hall, Arlene Holmes-Henderson and the wider team want to scale up the project.

Since 2017, the ACE project has widened access to the study of the ancient world in schools across the UK. As a result, the number of students taking GCSE and A Level Classical Civilisation and Ancient History has grown rapidly.

We need your help.

Edith and Arlene donate their time, as do colleagues in Durham and beyond. We do, however, need to cover hotel (Travelodge's) and economy class travel expenses.

Edith has personally donated £4000 to launch the fundraising: can the caring public quintuple it?

With £20,000 we could take our Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life course to at least eight more prisons in 2026-2027—sharing invaluable advice on life goals, potential, happiness, friendship, decision-making, emotional literacy and effective persuasion as well as inspiring insights into ancient civilisations.

Please consider supporting our efforts. Feedback from learners shows just how transformative the course can be for incarcerated people:

‘If I had been taught this at school, I would not now be in prison.’

‘I can see the direct connection between Aristotle’s advice and the choices available to me in prison and on release. I will make more informed choices from now on.’

‘To learners in other prisons, I’d say, “Go for it!”. This course has transformed my life.’