Building Stronger Communities with HMP Cardiff

The first cohort in Wales to complete a transformational employability and sports leadership initiative were celebrated at an event at the Cardiff City Stadium last week. Cardiff City FC Foundation, in partnership with HMPPS (Her Majesty's Probation and Prison Service), completed the pilot Twinning Project over a six-week period.

The Twinning Project is an initiative for prison inmates who are due to be released and is just the second initiative to run in the entire of the UK.

Working with individuals on probation from HMP Cardiff, the Foundation supported the first Welsh cohort with inspiring educational coaching sessions, which developed inmates' skills to help them shape a brighter future.

Over half of all prisoners have no qualifications prior to custody. Approximately a third have been excluded from school and 83% of them leave custody without any employment or training opportunity.

Over the past six weeks, inmates also completed an FA Level One qualification in Football Coaching, and many have expressed an interest in volunteering within a sporting environment as well as developing life skills including communication and leadership.