About us | Sixty One

Sixty-One aims to inspire, enable and support the community in Greater Bristol to help people with criminal convictions lead crime free and meaningful lives. We primarily do this through working with the church - but we do not proselytise. We also work with nine partner charities and local business. Relational support is at the heart of our work and is provided through mentoring, befriending, community Hub’s, partnerships and other activity.

Our most important resources are the individuals and groups who volunteer their time to help ex-prisoners. Currently we have over 50 trained volunteer mentors - who are supported through our MentorMe project - and strong links with over 30 churches across the city. These churches not only provide financial and practical help, but some also run Hubs providing mid-week support to ex-prisoners.

Relational community based work is at the heart of our approach. Many prisoners and ex-prisoners tell us that they are treated like problems to be fixed, rather than human beings. What they need are people who are interest in them as people, and who are willing to journey with them as they look to rebuild crime free lives.

Our four-person team has nearly 40 years’ experience working in the criminal justice sector.