Helping young adult offenders to stick to their commitment to live life differently.
Switchback supports 18-24 year olds to build on skills learnt in prison kitchens so that real, lasting change is possible after release.
By combining a personalised, intensive mentoring relationship with a practical programme, we are able to make employment a realistic prospect for this vulnerable group.
We work in close partnership with the
Crisis Skylight Café. The Times newspaper visited in 2009 and wrote a feature in T2 magazine. BBC Radio 4 visited in 2010 and
interviewed Switchback Trainees and co-founders.
The success of our work with Switchback trainees is due to the support of a wide network of people who are committed to helping these young men to stick to their decision to live life differently. If you know of an employment opportunity, would like to make a donation or just want to help, please go to
how to help.
The "wordle" below shows words from this website sized according to their frequency.

Follow us on
and 
News
4 April 2012
VICTORY FOR THE DEHESA/SWITCHBACK PARTNERSHIP!
...Read More
22 February 2012
2010 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Our Annual Report and Accounts for 2010 (Jan-Dec) have been posted on the Charity Commission website. Here’s a sneak preview... “2010 was our third year and we continue to see the long-term positive impact of our work. Prison staff introduced us to 118 potential Trainees and, after careful consideration on both sides, we made the mutual commitment to work together with 22 of them. 20 had release dates in 2010 and 19 of these continued on the programme on the outside (joining 7 from the previous year). We record a range of achievements, such as opening bank accounts, addressing health issues, trying out new experiences and getting involved with the community. Outcomes specifically relating to employment and education included:- 17 Trainees started at the Crisis Skylight Café- 12 Trainees started in permanent jobs- 5 Trainees entered further education- Trainees went to 25 real or mock job interviews- Trainees attended 3 training courses- Trainees did 14 temporary paid jobs- Trainees did 21 unpaid work placements or job trials”You can see the full text and financial breakdown here... ... http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends00/0001125100_ac_20101231_e_c.pdf
...Read More
21 January 2012
NEW STAFF TEAM
We are well on our way to building a strong team of Switchback Mentors. We have recruited two so far - Henry Fry and Alison Flynn - who started at the beginning of the year and are already working with new Trainees in HMPs Isis and Rochester. Henry has worked with young people in residential and workshop settings and is studying for an MSc in Psychology in the evenings. Alison has a worked in a range of therapeutic settings including Childline, a community training centre and, most recently, an NHS psychiatric ward in Hackney.Our track record since founding Switchback demonstrates our success in supporting Trainees to make lasting changes in their lives. We are now ready to meet the challenge of strengthening the infrastructure of the organisation to ensure we have a sustainable platform from which to grow. Dom Rudd has been appointed as an Interim CEO to drive our scaling up process. Dom was a Royal Marines Officer for 12 years, followed by 10 years in small business. This led him into the charity sector where he was RSPCA Director of Operations then CEO of Samaritans. For the past 3 years Dom has been living his passion leading mountain expeditions overseas.
Alex Cookman continues to manage the office and look after our admin. Slaney is working part-time (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) with a focus on fundraising. Alice is overseeing the development of the team of Switchback Mentors whilst continuing to work with her own caseload of Trainees.
...Read More
...View news archive