Life after prison isn’t easy. For many people we work with, the moment they walk out the gates, they’re faced with a long list of barriers - stigma, housing struggles, lack of income, broken relationships, and mental health challenges. It can feel like everything is stacked against you. At The Reasons Why Foundation, we believe in a powerful truth: setbacks don’t define your story - your comeback does.

Everyone has a past. But what we’ve seen, time and time again, is that with the right support, people with lived experience of the criminal justice system can not only recover; they can thrive. That transformation begins when someone believes in your potential, especially when it’s hard to believe in yourself. That’s where mentoring comes in.

Our mentors walk alongside people who are rebuilding their lives, helping them turn lessons from their past into building blocks for their future. Many of the individuals we support have been carrying years of pain and trauma - often unspoken, sometimes unrecognized. A trauma-informed approach doesn’t just ask, “What did you do?”, it asks, “What happened to you?” That shift in perspective opens the door to real change.

Comebacks aren’t linear. Some days feel hopeful, others are full of setbacks—missed appointments, rejections, moments of doubt. But we help people hold on to their progress, however small. Applying for a course, showing up to a job interview, making amends with family - these are all part of the comeback story. We celebrate every step forward, because they all count.

Through structured mentoring, casework, and group sessions, we support individuals to build life skills, emotional resilience, and healthier routines. We also help them recognise their strengths, the same skills they may have once used for survival can be redirected towards positive goals, like work, education, and community engagement.

One of the biggest changes we see is when someone begins to believe they deserve more. More than just survival. More than labels. More than their past. That moment, when they begin to take ownership of their future, is when the comeback truly begins.

At its heart, our work is about second chances. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to rewrite their story. With the right support, setbacks become fuel for growth.