News and Updates

News and Updates

National Apprenticeship Week 2019

National Apprenticeship Week 2019 started yesterday and we are excited about the `Blazing a trail’ theme, given that apprentices and employers up and down the country are doing just that.

The Forward Trust launch a new campaign to show value of employing ex-offenders and people in recovery

Today marks the launch of More Than My Past, a new, ambitious campaign that aims to raise awareness of the potential for ex-offenders and people in recovery from addiction to turn their lives around, including through employment.

Employment programme to reduce re-offending in Brent gets underway

Employers and ex-offender support organisations and training providers came together at Brent Civic Centre on Friday (June, 28) to mark Employability Day 2019 and the start of a new programme to help those leaving prison avoid reoffending, by giving them...

#MTMPLockdownStories

Over the course of the coronavirus lockdown, More Than My Past ambassadors have been sharing messages of strength and solidarity with the rest of the community to provide a source of social support. Read more about the series and watch the stories here.

Forward Thinking Newsletter

Forward release 'Bridging the Gaps' report

Ex-offenders and people in recovery from addiction could help fill the UK workforce shortages expected post-Brexit, according to a report released by The Forward Trust.

Social Investment Business (SIB) and The Forward Trust launch the Forward Enterprise Fund.

Social Investment Business (SIB) and The Forward Trust are pleased to announce the launch of the Forward Enterprise Fund.

Fund for recovery enterprises gets an added boost with grants from Crowdfunder.

Crowdfunder UK have joined the Forward Enterprise Fund and are offering match-funding grants, provided by The Forward Trust, of up to £5,000 to early stage enterprises, adding to the amount eligible organisations can apply for.

Social investment fund launches innovative new support network for enterprises that employ ex-offenders and people in recovery from addiction

Last month saw the launch of the Forward Enterprise Network, a collective of enterprises employing ex-offenders and people in recovery which aims to show mainstream businesses and the general public the value of people from those groups.

Forward Enterprise Fund: reflecting on a year of success and looking to the future

The Forward Enterprise Fund is now in its second year. Find out what it has achieved so far and what to look forward to next.

Helping a digital agency to get off the ground – Pink Umbrella Studios

Michael Vreugdenhil of digital agency Pink Umbrella Studios explains how support from the Forward Enterprise Fund helped launch the business.

Russell Brand launches new employment services for addicts and ex-offenders

"When people work together they can find the connection required to overcome addiction" Forward Patron, Russell Brand

Russell Brand Donates Trew Era Cafe to Forward

Russell Brand said: "I'm donating this cafe to RAPt - a great charity that helps prisoners stay clean. If I ever get sent down I hope this'll mean I get a cushy job in the library."

Apprentice Scheme Wins National Award

The Forward Trust wins HR excellence award in recognition of its Apprenticeship Scheme for people in recovery from addiction.

Award-winning social enterprise is reducing re-offending one pasty at a time

HMPasties, a not-for-profit social enterprise aiming to reduce re-offending by employing people with criminal convictions to produce baked goods, have recently won the Heart of Salford Award for their mobile catering van that brings welcome food to local...

A radical new approach for the music industry: bringing you new talent and giving a second chance to those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction

This month sees the release of a music video with a difference: where the entire cast is made up of people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, shot against the iconic backdrop of Brighton.

How the Forward Enterprise Fund helped a craft brewery to flourish - Tap Social

TAP Social Movement (TSM) is a craft brewery and social enterprise aiming to assist in effective rehabilitation for people serving prison sentences and create employment opportunities for ex-offenders based in and around Oxford.

New Leaf CIC is supporting more people into careers with help from the Forward Enterprise Fund

New Leaf Initiative CIC provides clear routes to employment and education for ex-offenders looking to make positive changes to their lives. CEO and founder Marie-Claire O’Brien, explains the support she received from the Forward Enterprise Fund (FEF).