Community & Social Justice Education & Young People 2024
Switchback

Annual Report 2024

Switchback is an award-winning London charity supporting young men aged 18-30 to find their way out of the justice system and build stable, rewarding lives. Its model centres on a meaningful one-to-one relationship between a Switchback Mentor and Trainee, beginning in prison and lasting as long as it takes after release. In 2024 the charity supported 721 young men, with 67 committing to the full intensive programme. 81% achieved at least one practical education, employment or training outcome and 68% reached the Real Lasting Change benchmark. Probation referrals leapt from 10 to 83 following inclusion in the Probation Service's grant programme. 51% of new Trainees needed housing action on release — up sharply from 33% in 2023 — reflecting the prison capacity crisis. Since founding, Switchback has supported 3,131 prison-leavers and achieved 16,595 outcomes across its 10 Pathways. Income now exceeds £1.5m.

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📋About

Intensive one-to-one Mentoring programme (Real Lasting Change) — starting in prison, continuing after release for as long as needed; practical support on release (phones, data, travel cards, shopping vouchers); housing support; Real Work Training partnerships (Dusty Knuckle Bakery, XO Bikes); employer and apprenticeship pathways; Experts by Experience Board; Propel Youth Mentoring programme (Mayor of London); influencing and policy advocacy; Reshaping Release campaign

📊Key Metrics

721 young men supported in total in 2024; 67 committed to the full intensive Mentoring programme (Real Lasting Change); 83 referrals received from probation officers (up from 10 in 2023) Key Metric 1
68% of 2024's new Trainees reached the benchmark of Real Lasting Change; 81% achieved at least one practical education, employment or training outcome; 64% were supported to access appropriate housing Key Metric 2
Since founding: 3,131 prison-leavers supported; 648 became Switchback Trainees; 16,595 outcomes achieved across 10 Switchback Pathways; income now over £1.5m with headcount over 25 Key Metric 3

✅Key Outcomes

  • 51% of 2024's new Trainees needed housing action on release (up from 33% in 2023) — reflecting the impact of the prison capacity crisis; 273 Trainees started a permanent job, apprenticeship or further/higher education course at the time of reporting
  • 83 probation referrals received in 2024 — up from just 10 in 2023 — following Switchback's inclusion in the Probation Service's grant programme, transforming collaborative relationships with probation officers across London
  • Mayor of London visited Switchback Trainees and team in March 2024 to celebrate participation in Propel Youth Mentoring programme; 12% of 2024's new Trainees had no formal qualifications; 7% were care-leavers without family support

📍Geography

London

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