Imago Dei 10/28/26 Imago Dei 10/28/26

The Power of Groups

“I can’t go in,” she said, her face frozen in fear. “I don’t do groups.” It was a chilly September morning in prison and as the women filed into the chapel for the morning’s Understanding Forgiveness course, this one woman (let’s call her M) hesitated by the door, eventually turning to me to reveal her fears.

Imago Dei 6/26/26 Imago Dei 6/26/26

A woman engaging with the #SheMatters Employment Network

For so long, I had this feeling of hopelessness. Knowing my future opportunities were now limited and the thought of having to tell any future employer my conviction, kept me awake at night. It felt like I would never be free from this shame.

Imago Dei 4/13/26 Imago Dei 4/13/26

Short Sentences - Are they really worth it?

Being a 30-year-old woman, having left prison 1 year ago, I would never have imagined that I would be working for the very charity that helped me during my time and after prison. Imago Dei – ID Essence allowed me to explore my inner negative feelings and turn them into positives, along with the Flourish course, changing my perception on my life and where I wanted to be and allowing me to see a future and breaking the cycle that I had been in for years.

Imago Dei 3/10/26 Imago Dei 3/10/26

Released With £76 and a Dream: The Harsh Reality for Women Leaving Prison in the UK.

For many women leaving prison in the UK, freedom begins with a shockingly small amount of money — often just the statutory release payment of around £76 — and a list of hurdles that can feel almost impossible to overcome.

Imago Dei 2/4/26 Imago Dei 2/4/26

Sasha’s* Story - Meeting at the gate.

What is it really like for a young woman on the day of release from prison?…

Once she walked out of the gate, she was happy, excited, nervous and apprehensive – ready to start her new life on the other side of the gate.

But with no home to go to!!

Imago Dei 5/21/24 Imago Dei 5/21/24

Empathetic Frustration

We must embrace a paradigm shift—one rooted in empathy, acceptance, and compassion. It's about providing resources, not retribution; opportunities for growth, not perpetual condemnation. Only then can we truly foster a society where every individual has the chance to rewrite their narrative and live a fulfilling life free from their past.