Trailblazers

03/06/2025

Established in 1998, Trailblazers Mentoring is a charity who works to support young men during their release from prison. Our mentoring and practical support is delivered to around 150 people a year, while they are in prison (6 months leading to their release) and for a further period (up to 12 months) in the community post-release. Trailblazers Mentoring reduce reoffending and improve outcomes for mentees through intensive weekly, one-to-one mentoring sessions conducted by a large cohort of volunteer mentors.

Bill Laurence is one of Trailblazers amazing Volunteer Mentors. He has been volunteering at Trailblazers project at HMP Brixton and actively mentoring for the last 9 months. He wrote the following about his experiences of being a Volunteer Mentor.

The Trailblazers Mentoring Experience

Hi, I’m Bill, an HMP Brixton mentor.

Let’s start with some context:

“Survival is not assured.

Imagine being in prison. Being incarcerated, in an intimidating and claustrophobic Victorian building, that was originally constructed in 1820.

Imagine being part of a forgotten society. Behind the wall, where every day is the same. You’re anonymous, that ‘cancelled’ feeling. You have no ID. Nobody cares.

Imagine trying to survive. Coping in this ‘dark space’ with poor mental health; with addiction; with low self-esteem; with the urge to self-harm; with feelings of loneliness and abandonment.

Imagine not being able to trust anyone on the Wing. Nobody to confide with. That vulnerable feeling, but nobody to talk to, nobody to turn to and nowhere to hide.

Imagine your cellmate having no respect and not abiding by the recognised Wing ‘rules’. How do you remain tolerant, or will you simply snap?

Imagine loathing family visits. Consider the toll it takes on the visitor and the visited. Imagine having no visits.

Imagine having release anxiety. The long wait for freedom suddenly arrives, the thought of fresh air, different food and a new world without the regime. Imagine being released at no notice, just taken to a holding cell without warning, and then hours later release unannounced. But what’s outside – what have you got beyond the wall, perhaps nothing?

Imaging turning your mind off. Is this possible?

Survival is not assured.”

Why volunteer for Trailblazers?

The relationship between the mentee and the mentor is unique, beginning in custody and then continuing with support in the community. It’s a rare offering and necessary too, due to the pressures placed upon the Criminal Justice system.

For me though, it’s an excellent use of spare time. It’s insightful, truly fulfilling and, at times, a simply humbling experience. The value of this relationship for the mentee should not be underestimated – ‘Nobody calls me by my name, you remember my name’.

What prompted you to start and why continue?

I have always volunteered in the background, wherever I have been, whatever I have been doing. Usually, just in some small way nonetheless. I was introduced to Trailblazers by The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust) where I was a leaving prison / leaving care mentor to vulnerable young people.

Why continue? I have the time, the mentee appreciates enduring support, so no reason not to. Likewise, the Trailblazers business model of reducing reoffending produces outstanding positive results. If a charity must fulfil such a role, in prison and in the community, then so be it. Put simply, the Criminal Justice system needs partners such as Trailblazers.

What do you think is important about the charity?

It’s a bridge, it plugs a gap. Trailblazers are non-judgemental, it gives hope to a human being who just happens to have a conviction and a prison record. This understanding and approach are recognised by the mentee, thereby offering some light on the perpetual darkness within the walls.

Every prisoner’s situation is different. Although a crime has been committed, some more serious than others, the underlying factors as to why they have ended up in prison is often not clear. Many have complex needs, many have had difficult upbringings (e.g. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)), many have suffered personal trauma, and many have an addiction nemesis. Notwithstanding, Trailblazers sees beyond this chaos, focussing on the future instead. The past cannot be changed.

What have you gained from it?

That it is possible to build trust and rapport with an inmate, regardless of crime committed, circumstances and background. This is key. Trailblazers offer an olive branch, provides continuity and instils a sense of purpose by giving hope and encouragement.

Mentees are genuinely appreciative of all support and guidance provided by Trailblazers. For most prisoners, if not all of them, they find it hard to understand as to why a mentor gives up their own time and voluntarily goes to work without getting paid.

Many mentees do not have contact with family and friends – loneliness in custody and in the community is a real issue. They know that the mentor will not give up on them, that the mentor will turn up every week for a pre-arranged session, no matter what. This is something that they are not used to, but something that they look forward to: social interaction with a confidant.

Life is not easy, things go wrong, the wheels can easily come off. It could be you ending up on the ‘scrapheap’ one day, or a loved one, relative, friend or colleague.