The role education plays in preventing criminal activity and reducing convictions should never be underestimated.

And football can play a more important role in reducing offending rates than you might think. For example:

• 52 per cent of prisoners have no qualifications prior to custody
• 71 per cent of female prisoners have no qualifications prior to custody
• 83 per cent of prisoners do not have paid employment on release

Although reoffences are inevitable, it’s important prisoners who show a genuine enthusiasm to turn their lives around can access opportunities to develop key skills, which will ultimately lower reoffending rates and give first-time offenders the confidence to change their lives for the better.

It’s why we work with HM Prison Service (HMPS) and HMP Bullingdon by delivering the Twinning Project – a national scheme which connects prisons in England and Wales with their local professional club.

We explore the Twinning Project and its impact in our latest programme focus blog below.

Life skills and employability

The Twinning Project is delivered with two key outcomes in mind – boosting life skills and enhancing employability.

In Oxfordshire, our work with HMP Bullingdon aims to rehabilitate 48 prisoners each year through quality education, mentoring and training.

It’s estimated 64 per cent of adult men reoffend within one year of release – and a fact that only 60 per cent of prisoners engage with the chief medical officer’s recommended levels of physical activity each week. This is why the project’s delivery is key – to boost physical health, reduce reoffending and enhance employability.

Positive futures

Each Twinning Project programme lasts five weeks, with only prisoners who are due to be released and display a clear enthusiasm for bettering themselves selected.

Sessions are run by our team of community coaches and supported by prison PE officers.

Our involvement in the process helps prisoners work towards achieving an

FA Level 1 coaching qualification which includes all relevant safeguarding and first-aid practices, ensuring that they can positively impact their communities when released through controlled opportunities.

Power of the badge

Often, the presence of the Oxford United badge immediately resonates with the people we are engaging – be it in a school, community centre or one of our programmes.

Rob Porter, lead community coach at Oxford United in the Community, is responsible for delivering the Twinning Project at HMP Bullingdon.

He said: “The power the club badge has to inspire positive change in people of all ages and backgrounds is significant.

“Our work with HMP Bullingdon and the Twinning Project targets prisoners who show a genuine enthusiasm to have positive aspirations for their future and want to make a difference.

“Our sessions help embed skills which are essential in all aspects of life such as teamwork, communication and problem solving. It’s a fantastic project and one we’re proud to support which has elevated our engagement with Oxfordshire’s communities to new levels.”

More information on The Twinning Project and its initiatives can be accessed at –  https://www.twinningproject.org/