Together4Bristol : Spring Update from Sixty-One

Spring Update from Sixty-One

Spring update

Every year I’m profoundly impacted by the letters we receive from prisoners following our gift projects. This year, more than any other, there have been two themes that have really stood out to me through the thanks expressed; one is the value of consistency and the other; personal connection.

‘I just wanted to send a letter of thanks for the gifts that you supply to us every Christmas. They are a constant that we can all, no matter the faith or belief, look forward to and enjoy.’ - Letter from a serving prisoner

‘The fact that [the Easter Card] came from a specific person, and not just the group as a whole, made it feel even more personal ... knowing that a complete stranger is also thinking about me is very special.’ - Letter from a serving prisoner

These are values that run through the core of all of our projects. Our MentorMe mentoring programme, weekly community hubs and partnership projects all demonstrate that consistent behaviour over time helps build relationship, foster reliability, sincerity, and accountability. Whether it’s fulfilling obligations, showing up on time for appointments, or maintaining relationships, these things demonstrate a lasting commitment to positive change on release.

Consistency and connection have a profound effect in an ever-changing world, especially for people who are re-settling in community following time in prison. With a sustained re-offending rate of just 2.6%, our team and volunteers, comprehensive training programmes and extensive community support mean that we achieve high levels of personal engagement from people in and outside of prison. More importantly, we see many lives changed in the process.

- Elizabeth, CEO Sixty-One

The Easter Gift Project

'Seen and valued'

Over the Easter weekend, with the generous support of our community, Sixty-One provided 400 Easter Gift Packs (containing Mini Eggs, stained-glass window decorations for colouring, pens, a lip salve, biscuits, and a signed Easter card) to every resident at Eastwood Park Women's Prison. A basket of goodies was provided for any visiting children and each of the women also received a booklet about Biblical Hope and information about mentoring.

“This is my first (and only!) time in prison. To receive the package of goodies from you was a complete surprise and is very much appreciated, especially as mini eggs are my absolute favourite!” - Letter from a serving prisoner

“It’s really, really lovely that you offer this to help people lead meaningful lives.” - Letter from a serving prisoner

These small gifts brought great joy and are a reminder to the women that they are not forgotten and that support is available.

For more information about the Easter Gift Project or if you would like to be involved in supporting next year’s project, please contact info@sixty-one.org.

Spring Celebration Event

"The work you are doing is absolutely what is needed. It is clear that the mentoring programme is having a huge impact."- Richard Pendlebury - High Sheriff of Bristol

At the end of April, 49 of our mentors, mentees and team joined us for our 7th Spring Celebration event!

An opportunity to meet, enjoy food and celebrate the achievements of our mentors and mentees, these events are so important for our mentoring community.

A huge highlight of the evening was Sixty-One being presented with a High Sheriff’s Award from Richard Pendlebury, the High Sheriff of Bristol!

MentorMe Spring Training Course

An hour of your time could quite literally change someone's life! We train volunteers from local churches how to mentor someone who has been to prison and then support them throughout their mentoring relationship.

Having someone who believes in you and who is willing to walk alongside you to help you to achieve your goals makes the world of difference.

In fact, for people who engage with a MentorMe Mentor, it makes a 95% difference to UK reoffending rates and a saving to the tax-payer of 2.5 million - that's quite a difference!

The details of our next MentorMe training course are below:

Saturday 17th May 9:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 21st May 7pm - 9pm
Saturday 7th June 9:30 - 3:30pm
Wednesday 11th June 7pm - 9pm

Please contact info a_t sixty-one d_o_t org to book your place.

Making an impact!

Question: When does 1x7= 2,090? Answer: When you are connected to Sixty-One!

Thanks to our incredible team, mentors, volunteers and partners, Sixty-One is able to multiply itself many times over and impact thousands of lives every year.

This last year, our 7 person team supported 80 mentoring relationships and 242 volunteers and partners in running hubs, packing gifts, delivering courses and serving our prison population in and outside of the prison.

Together, in 2024, we held weekly sessions with 166 people in community and connected with an astounding 2,090 serving prisoners!

It takes a community to restore a community - we are so incredibly grateful for each and every way in which you serve our prison population and to have you on our team!

Read more here about the impact of Sixty-One across 2024

Could you join us in making an even greater impact in 2025?

Please contact info a_t sixty-one d_o_t org, we'd love to hear from you.

Please Pray

Please pray for our new mentors and mentees as they begin their mentoring journey and for all of our mentors / befrienders as they continue to support people to achieve their goals.

Please pray for all those attending our next training course as they give their time to learning about how to support people who have been to prison

Please pray for our team, as they support and connect with people in each of our local prisons

_{Posted: May 2025}