We are very pleased to announce that a former Prisoners Abroad Resettlement service user, Thomas, has gone on to work at the Old Spike Roastery, a partner of The House of St Barnabas. We referred Thomas to The House of St Barnabas Employment Academy after his return to the UK, and through them he has been successful in securing long-term accommodation and a job. He is going from strength to strength at the Roastery, and now has his very own coffee blend!

Thomas’ coffee blend is a part of a larger range which is on sale in Sainsburys. So if you see it we encourage you to try it out!

Every year, hundreds of people are deported back to the UK at the end of their sentence. Often they have lived abroad for a number of years, sometimes decades, and arrive with nothing; no money, nowhere to sleep and very often no family or friends to call on for help. Our caseworkers support prisoners during their incarceration, and then prepare them for their return to the UK when they are approaching release. We send information to help them prepare and a needs assessment questionnaire is sent.

People returning to the UK from prison overseas are at the greatest risk of street homelessness and destitution. Our crisis service helps people like Thomas to access accommodation - first of all temporary and later permanent - and get access to benefits, healthcare, and specialist training and employment services.

We run a Work Preparation programme to help people gain an understanding of the UK job market and to identify how their skills, qualifications and employment history can be transferable.

This is crucial work with a particularly vulnerable and marginalised group of people to provide them with opportunities to change their lives, so it is fantastic to hear of successes like Thomas’.

Read about our Work Preparation Programme or browse stories from people who we have supported with our Resettlement Service.