mentoring for rehabilitation

How Can Mentoring Support Rehabilitation?

3rd April 2025 | Think Pieces

Breaking the cycle: how mentoring can support rehabilitation

With reoffending rates in the UK at a staggering 26.5% (GOV.UK), it raises the key question: What can be done to reduce these numbers and create lasting change through effective rehabilitation? Reoffending not only costs society billions each year (UK Parliament) but also affects families and communities. Families go through emotional and financial strain, with loved ones trapped in the cycle of reoffending, leading to instability, broken relationships, and loss of trust. Communities also suffer, as high reoffending rates create fear and insecurity, residents feel disconnected from their neighbourhoods, and trust in public spaces declines. When reoffending decreases, neighbourhoods become safer, residents feel more secure, and pride is restored (Aitken, 2014). 

The thing is, behind the statistical reports are real people- individuals seeking a fresh start but facing huge barriers. What if a consistent human connection could be the key to helping them reintegrate into society, supporting true rehabilitation which breaks the cycle? Mentoring has appeared as a powerful tool in this effort, offering support and guidance that helps individuals to not just avoid reoffending, but through rehabilitation lead more stable, productive lives. 

 

The Challenge of Reoffending 

For many people leaving prison, life outside can be just as daunting. They often face stigma, unstable housing, unemployment, and strained family relationships. Without stable accommodation, the risk of reoffending rises sharply- 70.9% of those who are rough sleeping re-offend within a year, followed by 56.5% of those who are homeless but not rough sleeping (GOV.UK). Additionally, a significantly higher proportion of prisoners struggle with literacy, with 62% having literacy skills that are four times below the level seen in the general population (UK Parliament). This makes finding employment even harder, especially without qualifications and a stable home, hindering rehabilitation efforts and increasing the risk of reoffending. 

 

How Mentoring Makes a Difference 

Mentoring offers more than advice. It’s about building a non-judgmental relationship based on trust. Mentors provide emotional support, guidance, and encouragement. They can help overcome the practical challenges of life after prison—finding a job, accessing training, and securing stable accommodation. Just as importantly, they can help boost confidence and self-worth, helping people believe they can change their future (HM Inspectorate of Probation). 

As the Centre for Social Justice’s 2014 “Meaningful Mentoring” paper notes, having a mentor when leaving prison can reduce anxiety and support reintegration. This emotional backing is crucial for breaking old patterns and preventing reoffending. 

 

Mentoring in Action: Real-Life Success Stories 

Organisations across the UK are showing how effective mentoring can be in reducing reoffending. 

Circles of Support and Accountability is an organisation committed to reducing sexual offending in our communities. A Circle involves a group of trained volunteers working with an individual to lessen isolation and reduce the risk of reoffending. Taking a mentoring approach, volunteers provide guidance and support, fostering positive, structured relationships that help encourage behavioural change. Recent figures highlight the success of this approach, showing an 18% reduction in dynamic risk scores, 100% of core members in stable accommodation, 67% improved well-being, and 56% less isolation (Circles UK). Together, these factors play a key role in lowering the likelihood of reoffending. 

St Giles Trust employ individuals with lived experience to mentor those at risk of reoffending. They offer tailored rehabilitation support such as housing, employment, and mental health. One of their programmes, Through the Gates, has shown significant success. According to St Giles Trust, participants in this programme had a reoffending rate that was 40% lower than the national average (St Giles). 

These programs highlight how mentoring creates pathways to opportunity, breaking the cycle of crime and transforming lives with meaningful rehabilitation.  

 

The Wider Impact on Communities 

Successful rehabilitation doesn’t just help individuals—it strengthens families and communities. Reduced reoffending means fewer victims of crime and lower costs for public services like policing and prisons. Mentoring helps create safer, more inclusive communities where people are given genuine second chances. 

 

Get Involved: Become a Mentor 

At The Mentoring School, we believe mentoring changes lives. Our qualifications equip people with the skills to support individuals.  

By training more mentors, we can change more lives. 

If you would like to learn more about mentor training, click below, or contact hello@thementoringschool.com

 

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