The 2nd Chance project began as a custodial sports based programme at HMP & YOI Ashfield. The intiative was designed to engage young offenders, improve their behaviour, achievement, skills and attitudes. Through the creation of many community partnerships a number of pathways were introduced offering offenders’ a variety of alternative opportunities on release from custody linked to education, training and employment.

By entering a mixed team of young offenders and staff at a Bristol 'BBC Your Game' event we were introduced to the Football Foundation and soon after developed the initiative as a project. Approximately 18 months later came the formation of the 2nd Chance Project as a Community Interest Company (not for profit) and a successful funding grant from the Football Foundation which allowed the project to provide a greater impact on young offenders within HMP & YOI Ashfield.

Our first year created so much interest with everyone who visited the project at Ashfield, that it wasn't long before we felt we could become the driving force behind replicating our model nationally across a variety of secure establishments and within the community. In our first six months we were asked to support the sky 1 series starring Ian Wright, Football behind Bars programme at HMYOI Portland.

During the filming we developed an additional model and launched another project working in partnership with HMYOI Portland and Chelsea FC. With the launch of our second custodial sports based project in 2009 we were asked to travel to Jamaica in partnership with Cricket for Change and consult on sports based engagement programmes for the Courtney Walsh foundation. After presenting a successful programme we returned to Jamaica in Nov 2009 to launch the Courtney Walsh Foundation and programmes in Rio Cobra juvenile correctional facility.

Due to the early success our model has received using sport to engage some of the hardest to reach young people, we felt that we could develop our range of programmes and engage young people at risk within the community, who also need a second chance at life.

In 2010 we decided that we wanted to expand the range of projects and services we offer to the community. Today our business is continuing to grow as a result of great staff, partnership organisations and the support from a wide range of experts who have given time to support our growth and development, Thank you.

Moving forwards we are focussed on becoming a leading provider of 2nd Chances Worldwide and are focussed on our core business model;

- Engagement

- Mentoring

- Education

We believe our core business model willl provide the framework for us to continue growing our range of projects and services and become a leading social enterprise.

If you think you have what it takes to be part of the 2nd Chance team or you would like to work in partnership, contact the office and we will only be too happy to talk with you.

James Mapstone

Founder and Managing Director of the 2nd Chance Project