The Hardman Trust helps people who have been in prison for a long time to get their lives back on track when released. What we do is very simple and very effective.
We provide a grant of up to £1500, to help people achieve specific goals on release.
The results are transformational.
People who might otherwise see no future, find work, support their families, and become valued members of their communities.
In addition to its grants scheme, the Trust runs a two further projects.
The Hardman Directory is a guide for prisoners and ex-offenders seeking funding support for personal development and resettlement purposes. It is the only publication of its kind and is hugely valued by prisoners and ex-offenders as well as by prison, probation and other agency staff.
Prisoners' Penfriends make it possible for volunteers to write safely to prisoners, who are serving any length of prison sentence, giving friendship, hope and a reminder of the outside world to people at all stages of their sentence. Our Prisoners’ Penfriends scheme supports the wellbeing of prisoners by encouraging safe, non-judgemental connection and friendship via letters and emails from volunteers across the UK.
The Trust operates one of the most rigorous selection and payment processes in grant making to prisoners. Each applicant is interviewed by an Assessor, and their application is looked at critically.
Grants are made for a broad range of purposes including: equipment for business start-ups such as laptops and printer; tools of many different trades; work clothing; support costs for academic courses; HGV and LGV training; forklift and dumper truck training, wellbeing support and many other vocational courses. All of the grants are focused, practical, and relate to the individuals making a success of their lives.
2,000 copies of the Hardman Directory are printed annually and distributed free to all prisons and approved premises in the UK. People can also request a free PDF or download the Directory app by visiting the Trust's website.
Here are just two examples of the appreciative comments sent to the Trust by prisoners.
“I am getting released in 6 weeks and it [The Hardman Directory] made me be able to calm down and breathe. I’m writing to ask if I could be sent a copy. It will be a much-needed ‘bible’ to me in the future.”
“I think it’s an amazing Directory and will help lots of individuals like myself find help especially when you have limited contact when in prison, with the outside.”
