The UK prison system is under immense strain, operating at 99% capacity as of mid-2024. With reoffending rates as high as 57% for individuals released from short sentences, innovative rehabilitation programmes are essential. Employment, a proven factor in reducing reoffending, remains inaccessible for many prison leavers due to stigma, lack of skills and limited support.
No Going Back (NGB) was established to tackle these challenges. Funded by 30 Livery Companies, it delivers training, support, employment opportunities and housing to prison leavers. After a three-year incubation period within Bounce Back, NGB gained charitable status in 2023, with its Social Enterprise, NGB CLEAN, aiming for financial self-sufficiency within five years. This innovative partnership strengthens the foundation’s ability to create lasting change.
For three years, Bean Research has supported NGB by designing its first impact framework and embedding measurement tools to track outcomes. This included developing a live PowerBI dashboard to monitor progress, training caseworkers to record participant data, and providing quarterly updates to stakeholders. By continuously refining data systems, Bean ensured NGB could measure and report on its outcomes effectively. As employment is crucial, it was important to implement a monitoring evaluation to capture sustained employment, measured at three, six, nine, and 12 months, providing insight into the programme’s long-term impact.
In its first year as an independent charity, NGB achieved remarkable outcomes:
- Employment: Over four years, 321 individuals secured employment, including 78 job starts this year, with 75 sustaining employment. Six months post-programme, 50% were still employed.
- Reoffending: Only 4% of participants were recalled or reoffended, compared to the national average of 26%.
- Health and Wellbeing: 74% of participants reported improved health and wellbeing, 100% of candidates who secured jobs reported increased confidence in their future, with an improvement since joining NGB.
The Kangaroo Programme, a cornerstone of NGB, supported 199 participants this year, with 92% reporting increased confidence in their future. Additionally, 48 participants in temporary housing found work, and four moved into more secure accommodation.
This year’s report focused on the impact of the programme on volunteers. Volunteers, both in and out of prison, play a vital role in NGB’s initiatives, from running workshops, to mentoring candidates to shift offenders’ perceptions. Feedback from 109 volunteers indicates they found participating in NGB workshops rewarding and valued seeing the positive effects of their support on candidates’ attitudes and skills.
Feedback from volunteers revealed:
- 85% felt they positively impacted candidates.
- 73% reported a change in their perception of prison leavers.
- Almost half developed new skills through volunteering.
Social Return on Investment analysis calculated £3,014,524 in social value created by NGB’s small team in the past year alone. This equates to £8.64 for every £1 invested, with a third of this value generated through employment outcomes.
No Going Back’s holistic approach delivers exceptional results, reducing reoffending and creating lasting social value. With the support of Bean Research, NGB has established robust impact measurement processes, demonstrating its transformative impact and setting a benchmark for rehabilitation programmes nationwide.
“Bean has played a pivotal role in the evolution of No Going Back, supporting us through a transformative journey that has now seen the programme achieve charitable status as the No Going Back Foundation, alongside the establishment of the social enterprise, NGB CLEAN. Their expertise in impact assessment and Social Return on Investment has been critical in helping us measure, understand, and communicate the value of what we’ve achieved.
By embedding robust reporting frameworks and working closely with our team to align new measures, Bean has helped us demonstrate how the combined efforts of NGB and NGB CLEAN are creating a seamless pathway for prison leavers—from training and qualifications to meaningful employment in industries like cleaning and facilities management. Bean’s continued support as we enter this new phase ensures we can confidently build on our achievements and drive forward our vision of reducing reoffending by empowering lives. You have been brilliant and hugely supportive.”
Francesca Findlater OBE, Executive Head, No Going Back
