The Forward Trust welcomes Royal Foundation’s biggest ever UK study into early childhood

Today the Duchess of Cambridge launched a report into attitudes towards early years development.

One of the key findings of is that social problems like homelessness, addiction and poor mental health are often the result of childhood neglect or trauma. If these adverse childhood experiences remain unresolved, they all too often lead to adolescent anger and alienation, and adult imprisonment.

The Duchess has visited our projects to talk to mothers in prison who are determined to break the cycle of addiction and reoffending, and protect their children from the abuse and trauma that they themselves were subject to in their early years. These women have gone through their own journey of recovery, and act as inspirational role models for others, showing that people can and do change with the right support.

Mike Trace, Forward Trust CEO, said:

“For too many people, life chances can be blighted in the first five years of childhood. But we see from our work in prisons that people can find ways to confront their difficult pasts, and break the cycle of despair. Our More Than My Past campaign showcases some of the stories from amongst the thousands of people who have overcome lives blighted by addiction or crime, to prosper in their personal and professional lives”.

Today the Duchess of Cambridge launched a report into attitudes towards early years development.

One of the key findings of is that social problems like homelessness, addiction and poor mental health are often the result of childhood neglect or trauma. If these adverse childhood experiences remain unresolved, they all too often lead to adolescent anger and alienation, and adult imprisonment.

The Duchess has visited our projects to talk to mothers in prison who are determined to break the cycle of addiction and reoffending, and protect their children from the abuse and trauma that they themselves were subject to in their early years. These women have gone through their own journey of recovery, and act as inspirational role models for others, showing that people can and do change with the right support.

Mike Trace, Forward Trust CEO, said:

“For too many people, life chances can be blighted in the first five years of childhood. But we see from our work in prisons that people can find ways to confront their difficult pasts, and break the cycle of despair. Our More Than My Past campaign showcases some of the stories from amongst the thousands of people who have overcome lives blighted by addiction or crime, to prosper in their personal and professional lives”.

What is More Than My Past?

More Than My Past is an ambitious online campaign that aims to raise awareness of the potential for ex-offenders and people in recovery to turn their lives around. The aim is to change attitudes across the board – from policy makers to businesses and the general public. Barriers and stigmas exist that prevent people with difficult pasts from reaching their full potential. The campaign aims to challenge this and to inspire those who are still trapped in cycles of addiction or crime. The More Than My Past website showcase the inspirational stories of people who have successfully confronted their problems around addiction and/or criminality and moved on to prosper in their personal and professional lives. For more information, visit www.morethanmypast.org.uk