When Elliott talks about the Longford Trust, you can tell he is deeply committed to the cause. As both a probation staff member and a trustee of the charity, he has seen first-hand how education and belief can transform lives after prison.
“The Trust was founded in memory of Lord Longford, a reformer who believed in second chances,” Elliott explains. “Today we offer scholarships to people in prison and those recently released, often through the Open University, and pair them with mentors who provide encouragement and guidance along the way.”
Why mentorship matters
For Elliott, the scholarships are only part of the story. The real difference comes from the mentoring scheme.
“Scholars often tell us it’s not just about academic support. Mentors help with relationships, with the disclosure of convictions, with the daunting transition from custody into a new world of study. Most importantly, they’ve got your back. That makes a huge difference.”
He recalls stories of scholars who have gone from prison to postgraduate degrees, or who have used education to fill the void that once drew them into damaging decisions. “Any story where somebody escapes a cycle of offending and goes on to flourish—that’s success.”
The power of education
Education, Elliott argues, is central to rehabilitation. “A degree isn’t something you do half-heartedly. It demands commitment, it builds confidence, it opens up futures. It’s about ambition and structure, and it’s about hope, never going back to prison again.”
He points to the numbers: 85% of Longford scholars graduate and move into jobs, careers and families. “That’s far higher than the national picture. We’ve shown education works. Government should be learning from this.”
Challenges that remain
Elliott is also candid about the barriers. Disclosure rules, university admissions policies and wider labelling of people with convictions all stand in the way. “Too often, someone who is perfectly capable is still excluded years later because of a conviction. That needs to change.”
And he sees a role for probation too. “Some officers know about the Longford Trust, but many don’t. If probation staff encouraged applications, more people would get that chance.”
How to support the trust
For those looking to get involved, Elliott’s message is clear: spread the word, become a mentor, or donate. “Being a mentor is a chance to directly change someone’s life. And without funding, none of this would be possible.”
For Elliott, the work of the Longford Trust is an extension of his values as a probation professional. “It’s about reform, second chances and learning. I’ll never stop talking about the lessons the system can take from this work—because it proves that belief in people really does change everything.”
To find out more about the trust and how you can get involved, visit https://www.longfordtrust.org/
