For 30 years, the Hardman Trust has supported people serving long prison sentences across England, Wales and Scotland. Their work focuses on rehabilitation, resettlement and reducing the deep disadvantages that come with long-term imprisonment. Everything on offer is designed to help people in prison stay connected with the outside world, build hope and move towards safer, more stable lives.
Long sentences can lead to people losing contact with family and friends, becoming cut off from the outside world and feeling hopeless about the future. The Hardman Trust provides practical, person-centred support that prison and probation staff can draw on at different stages of a sentence and in the run-up to release.
Penfriend scheme
Many people serving long sentences experience intense isolation and loneliness. The Penfriend scheme offers a safe way to build and maintain positive links with the outside world through one-to-one correspondence.
The scheme currently runs in around 90 prisons across England, Wales and Scotland. If you support someone who might benefit from a meaningful, pro-social connection, or you would like your establishment to take part, please see the website for how to get involved.
Financial support for people on long sentences
The Hardman Trust offer personalised financial support of up to £1,500 to women who have served 6 or more years in prison and men who have served 10 or more years. These grants help people take concrete steps towards rehabilitation and resettlement.
Support can cover education and training, employment tools and equipment, and wellbeing-related needs. Each grant is designed to empower the individual to move forward, whether they are still in custody or preparing for release.
People must apply while they are in prison, with support from prison and probation staff. Staff can access the information they need via the website, talk it through with the person they support, and help them to complete and submit an application.
London Support Programme
For people on long sentences who are based in or returning to London, the Hardman Trust run a dedicated London Support Programme in a limited number of prisons, starting up to two years before release and continuing into the community.
Co-designed with people who have lived experience and shaped by over 20 years of frontline work, the programme addresses key barriers such as institutionalisation, digital exclusion and resettlement anxiety. For probation practitioners, it offers structured, ongoing support that complements statutory supervision and can help strengthen resettlement plans.
The Hardman Directory
Leaving prison can be daunting, especially for those unsure what support exists. The Hardman Directory is a practical tool used by professionals, families and people in prison to identify services, information and funding opportunities.
Available online and in print, it lists hundreds of organisations across the UK and is a useful support tool for people of all ages and sentence lengths. It can help you, and those you supervise, to plan more confidently for life after release.
For more information and resources, please visit www.hardmantrust.org.uk
