What release day looks like with someone beside you

For most people, release day is the day they have been counting down to. It is also the day when things most often go wrong. The gate closes behind them, they have a small bag of belongings, a travel warrant and, sometimes, nowhere to sleep that night.

Before the gate

Where we can, we start in custody. A chaplain or one of our prison team visits, listens, and begins to talk about what happens after release: where to stay, who to see on day one, how to get a phone, a bank account and a benefits claim started.

On the day

If the person agrees, someone from BTMA is there. That might mean a lift, a hot meal, a change of clothes, or simply a familiar face. The first twenty-four hours set the tone for the weeks that follow.

The aim is that nobody walks out alone on the day they most need someone beside them.

The weeks after

We stay in touch. A mentor meets regularly, our team helps with housing guidance, training and work, and The Light Chapel International is there on Wednesdays and Sundays for anyone who wants a place to belong. Nobody is required to come.

This piece describes how our support works in general. Individual stories are only shared with the person's written consent, and names are changed where needed.