89% of young offenders will re-offend within 2 years of release, as compared to 53% of adult offenders

“Reflex are making a significant impact on the lives of young offenders throughout the country. Working with some of the most deprived young people, they are seeing lives turned around as these young people face past failures, take up the offer of a fresh start and new hope for the future.”

The Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

In recent years YFC North East has built up a pioneering outreach amongst young offenders in the region that has been adopted in Young Offenders’ Institutes (YOI's) in other parts of the country, working with Inmates as young as 15.

This work that has the potential of impacting all Young Offenders’ in the North East is now run in partnership with British YFC under the name of REFLEX.

What does Reflex look like?
Reflex projects have been developed to provide young offenders (both male and female) with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to overcome their own obstacles and reach their full potential. Each project offers participants the chance to reflect on life issues using a creative tool such as drama, music or sport which can then be used in building a platform for positive expression.

LocDown
The LocDown project explores key themes such as addiction, discrimination, peer pressure, and trust – through a series of interactive music workshops, including DJ and MC skills, lyric writing, music production and performance. Lyrics are developed around these themes and tracks are produced.

InsideOut
InsideOut is a dynamic theatre project combining contemporary film, music and theatre to challenge perceptions and raise self-awareness through workshops and prison mission weeks. InsideOut draws on the imagination, allowing reflection on life situations where participants will learn valuable skills to help them reach their full potential.

Creative Industries
This workshop is a real business where prisoners get to learn new skills in creative activities. They design, produce and sell cards and paintings, during this process they are encouraged to explore their creativity and see how this can be related to different types of employment. We link with various agencies so that women can develop their skills after they get out

Mettle
Is a discipleship course where prisoners explore what the bible has to say about certain life issues. If a young offender comes to faith they are linked to a mentor from a church in their locality. The mentor will use the mettle bible study notes as a tool to disciple the young offender before they get out so that when they are released they have links with their local church and an opportunity to deepen the faith they have developed inside.

Prison volunteers
In the prison service it is recognised that prison volunteers are one of the biggest agents of change in an offenders life. Volunteers are essential to the work we do, people can volunteer in a variety of ways from one off events to long term placements, there is always space for those who feel they have something to bring.