Blog
Empowering Rehabilitation Through Creative Psychotherapy: An Insightful Conversation
In the realm of rehabilitation, creative psychotherapy serves as a powerful tool for change, especially for those within the justice system. My recent conversation with Belong’s dedicated creative psychotherapist sheds light on the transformative power of creativity...
RJ Week 2023: Restorative Justice as an alternative to solitary confinement in the United States
This Restorative Justice Week, we bring you something different to our blog. We welcome Belong's Development Volunteer, who shares a summary of her research on Restorative Justice as an alternative to solitary confinement in the US. If you would like to get in touch...
Mentoring with Belong
Founded in 2010, Belong began as a grassroots organization, mainly delivering mentoring to young people in Greenwich, London. Over a decade later, mentoring interventions form one of Belong’s main interventions, alongside restorative justice and creative...
An interview with a belong trustee
Belong has 14 dedicated trustees, all volunteers who hold Belong ‘in trust’ for current and future beneficiaries, provide oversight of Belong’s work, contribute to strategic growth, financial controls and risk management.... but what does that really mean? And who are...
A day in the life of a Belong peer supporter
Although peer support programs have had a long history in UK prisons, in recent years, the sector has benefitted from an increase in research evidencing the benefits of service user involvement in prison programmes. According to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (2016),...
Rolling with the punches on placement
I am currently a serving prison officer at HMYOI Aylesbury, an establishment housing approximately 220 18-21 year old males. I was lucky enough to experience a placement with Belong visiting other prisons and seeing the good work they do. As an Unlocked Graduate we...
Celebrating Belong’s Volunteer Mentors
Since its launch in 2010, Belong’s mentoring schemes have supported children, young people and adults impacted by crime across the UK. Through mentoring, mentees reduce reoffending, improve their emotional and mental health, report improved relationships, and...