Tell us about your organisation, why and how you started, and what you do?
Trailblazers Mentoring is a charity dedicated to reducing reoffending by mentoring young people in prison and supporting them as they rebuild their lives after release. We believe everyone deserves the chance to change their story — and with the right support, guidance, and belief, they can.
We began in 1998 when a small group of volunteers saw that many young men leaving prison were being released into the same environments that led them there in the first place. They recognised that consistent, trusted relationships could make a real difference — and so Trailblazers was born.
Today, we work with people aged 18–35 across the West Midlands, London, and the South East. Our trained volunteer mentors work one-to-one with young people for six months before release and twelve months after, ensuring continuity of support. Together, they set personal goals — breaking down barriers that can lead to reoffending and helping build new, positive futures.
Alongside mentoring, our staff provide practical resettlement support with housing, employment, training, and access to local services. This blend of trusted relationships and practical help creates the stability and confidence young people need to thrive in the community.
Our work is rooted in hope, trust, and long-term commitment — because breaking the cycle of reoffending doesn’t happen overnight. We’re proud to see lives transformed and communities made safer as a result.
What has been your greatest achievement?
One of our greatest achievements is the life-changing impact we’ve had on the young people we mentor. Only 7% of our mentees reoffend, compared to a much higher national average — clear evidence that consistent, trusted support really works.
Each year, we support around 150 young men aged 18–35 through mentoring and resettlement. Many go on to secure employment, reconnect with family, complete education or training, and become positive role models for others.
But it’s not just the numbers that matter — it’s the stories. We’ve seen people who once felt hopeless completely turn their lives around through resilience, hard work, and belief in themselves, supported every step of the way by their mentor and our team.
For us, the greatest achievement is helping someone move from hopelessness to possibility — knowing that change ripples out to families, communities, and society as a whole.
What is your experience of support received from WVCA?
WVCA has been instrumental in supporting our growth in Wolverhampton. Their funding and networking opportunities have helped us strengthen our volunteer recruitment, enhance training, and increase awareness of our work.
Through WVCA events, we’ve met potential partners, shared best practice, and tapped into resources that improve how we train and support mentors. Their support has increased our capacity to reach more young people and embedded us more firmly within the local voluntary and community sector.
What advice would you give to others looking to set up a voluntary group in Wolverhampton?
Connect, collaborate, and communicate from the start. Wolverhampton has a welcoming and well-connected voluntary sector, and tapping into that network early makes a huge difference.
Link with WVCA and other local organisations for guidance, signposting, and introductions. Don’t be afraid to attend networking events — they’re great for sharing ideas, finding partners, and avoiding duplication of effort.
Be clear about your mission and the need you’re addressing, but stay open to feedback from the community. Strong relationships — with volunteers, beneficiaries, and other groups — will underpin your sustainability.
And remember: starting small is fine. Passion, persistence, and a willingness to learn will take you a long way in Wolverhampton’s collaborative voluntary sector.
Have you benefited from any funding opportunities or resources shared through WVCA’s newsletters or social media?
Yes — WVCA’s newsletters and social media have helped us access funding opportunities, events, and resources that directly strengthened our work.
One key example is funding that allowed us to enhance volunteer training, attend fairs, and raise awareness locally. We’ve also gained valuable information about collaborative meetings and sector updates, which has expanded our network and helped us connect with potential partners.
This support has strengthened our presence in Wolverhampton and given us greater capacity to help young people transition successfully from custody back into the community.
What are some of the challenges you face, and how can WVCA support you in the future?
One of our biggest challenges is recruiting and retaining enough committed volunteer mentors, particularly those with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Their insight and credibility are powerful in building trust, but finding mentors who can commit long-term can be difficult.
We also face challenges around raising awareness of our work and diversifying our income so we’re not reliant on a small number of funding sources. WVCA can help by:
- Promoting our volunteer opportunities through their networks
- Sharing our stories on social media
- Signposting us to local funding streams
- Facilitating introductions to potential partners, including businesses and community groups
With WVCA’s continued support, we can reach more young people, provide consistent mentoring, and help create safer, stronger communities.
Where can we find out more about your organisation?
Website: trailblazersmentoring.org.uk
Facebook: Trailblazers Mentoring
Instagram: @trailblazersmentoring
LinkedIn: Trailblazers Mentoring Ltd
Would you like to be featured in our Voluntary Sector Spotlight? Contact Olatz on VCSsupport@wvca.org.uk for more info!