In 2014, two former senior prison officers with over 60 years of experience, Steve Freer and Val Wawrosz, came up with an initiative to challenge the age-old stigma that people with criminal convictions face when trying to secure employment. This innovative model went on to create hope for people who otherwise had none.

Steve and Val’s extensive experience with the Criminal Justice System enabled them to design a rehabilitation model fit for purpose. They are by no means soft on crime and still very much support the notion that the most dangerous offenders deserve to be locked up. However, there are approximately 60% of people in and out of prison that come from poverty, have had no parental guidance, and very little education. They have never had a chance in life, never mind a second chance.

Too often, Steve and Val witnessed the same faces returning to prison and felt that not enough was being done to prevent this. What was particularly concerning was seeing the offspring of some offenders appearing on the landings.

Steve and Val saw an important opportunity and set about putting together a sustainable rehabilitation model that is now attracting the attention from International businesses and Governments across the globe.