We bring both expertise and relevant experience of studying HE in prison and of facilitating the provision of study materials. We have a well-established reputation for providing excellent support to students in prison and on release, and we have significant connections and networks within the field of prison education. This unique blend of lived experience combined with professional and academic expertise places us in a strong position to take this ambitious project forward.

Dan (Co-Director)

Dan, a Doctoral Student of Criminology, has a proud commitment to challenging and enabling others to achieve great things. He is remarkable in his ability to inspire and motivate people with his enthusiasm and drive and by sharing stories of his own academic success.

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Ruth (Co-Director)

Ruth is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with a Masters degree in Online and Distance Education. She is all about supporting meaningful education in prison and on release. Considering herself a student as well as a teacher, she is passionate about inclusion. “Education can be liberating”.

Candide

Candide is our Administrator. She is a graduate of Law with Criminology at the University of Law. She has responsibility for keeping our students informed and supported with their university study.

In her own words,  “I decided to reach out and be a part of DWRM, not only for the experience, but mainly because I believe we all deserve an equal chance of achieving greatness”

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Myra

Myra is our Release Support Manager. She has over 30 years experience in the Health & Social Care field, both as a direct practitioner and qualified Learning & Development professional.  She has worked for Local Authorities, the NHS and Third Sector organisations - covering homelessness, addiction recovery and mental health, to name a few. Myra is passionate about the value and practice of co-production and has a fierce belief in the resilience and potential of all humans. She is also committed to the delivery of simple, elegant, relevant, engaging and robust training/learning solutions and interventions.

Sinem

Sinem manages our Post Release Support and co-ordinates our volunteer programme. She holds a PhD in criminology and is a fellow of the higher education academy. She is all about achievement and empowerment and believes everyone can change, albeit some people might need a helping hand.

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Gill

Gill is a retired academic, clinician, mentor and restorative justice practitioner and when she is not bee keeping, is leading on our evaluations and ensuring ethical practice of our delivery and research.

Sam

Sam is a student on the founding cohort of a new and innovative university called the London Interdisciplinary School (@weareLIS) and is studying Interdisciplinary Problems & Methods. He is also a fellow at The RSA and a Board Fellow at Spark Inside. Sam is passionate about helping people live intentionally and believes in life long learning through pursuing curiosity. He is coordinating our work within the prisons.

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Genna

Genna is our Head of Development. She joins us a Fundraiser of 12 years,  specialising in securing and managing high worth donations from Trusts and Foundations. Genna has previously worked as the Grants Manager for Advance Charity and has also worked for The Forward Trust and The Salvation Army. Genna is dedicated in championing lived experience solutions, particularly solutions for the active reform of our prisons, and is also a Trustee of another prisoner-led CIC, The Inside Academy.

 

Together, we bring a unique and complementary combination of skills, lived experience expertise, management and administrative abilities, and economic prowess, which creates an energetic dynamic. We share a strong commitment to social justice and rehabilitation of people in prison, manifested in providing a prisoner voice and empowerment. We have expertise and relevant experience of studying Higher Education in prison and of facilitating the provision of study materials. We have a well-established reputation for providing excellent support to students in prison and on release, and we have significant connections and networks within the field of prison education. This unique blend of lived experience combined with professional and academic practice places us in a strong position to take this ambitious project forward.

Board of Non-Executive Directors

We are delighted to introduce our board of non-exec directors who are working with us to provide strategic direction, financial oversight and general support. Board meetings are held quarterly, with each member taking on a different area of responsibility and keeping in contact with the DWRM team.

 

Femi Laryea - Adekimi

Femi is a former prisoner, who is now the Network Co-ordinator at the Prison Reform Trust, where he engages a network of over 600 serving prisoners. He strongly believes in the power of education to make a difference to prisoners' lives as he himself benefited from throwing himself into education while in prison.

 

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Derrick Mason

Derrick is a well-being practitioner and a Director at Beyond Recovery where he promotes the Three Principles programme supporting people to access their own resilience and innate resources.

 

 

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Steve Newton

Steve is a commercially focused senior executive leader commanding over 30 years’ international sales & marketing experience, building board-level strategies that fuel business development both nationally and across the global arena. Working as a consultant and business coach, drawing on his extensive corporate experience primarily within the automotive industry, he is committed to help guide and support companies across a wide spectrum of industries and services.

An inclusive leader / teacher, who believes we can always learn from one another, Steve is passionate about developing and implementing appropriate processes and technology to enhance customer experience. He is looking to draw on his experience and energy to help implement the company’s shared vision.

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We provide professional support and challenge to universities, working closely with HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice to ensure a high quality of educational support for students in prison. Our focus is on rehabilitation in its purest form; prioritising the voice of people in prison who are disadvantaged by socio-economic features, negative educational experiences and disillusion. We will maximise our substantial expertise in higher education in prison, using our excellent inter-personal skills and effective working relationships with a wide range of partners.