Milestones is a mentoring project based at HMYOI Portland and, more recently, also operating out of HMP Dorchester and HMP Isis. Having successfully evolved from an original Nacro project which began in 1999, there are now two Milestones branches – one serving young men released to Dorset & Hampshire and one for those released to London. The aims of Milestones are:
- To give young men the opportunity to prepare fully for their release
- To increase the opportunities for, education, employment and training
- To help raise self-esteem and confidence
- To help nurture better relationships between families (if appropriate), young people and the community
- To reduce re-offending
Young men referred to the project are matched with a trained volunteer mentor from their area prior to release from custody. The mentoring relationship starts in the prison and continues post-release for a period of usually not less than six months. Support, advice and guidance are the key constituents of the project and the support offered is tailored to individual mentees’ needs.
Milestones is proud to have approved provider status from the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation and in 2011 the initiative was recognised by a prestigious Butler Trust Commendation.
For more information about Milestones please contact John Bayley: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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