A Band of Brothers: Mentoring and Rites of Passage for young men aged 18-25

A Band of Brothers Manchester Logo

A Band of Brothers ("ABOB") is an award-winning charity currently based in 12 separate locations around the UK.

We work with young men aged 18-25 (possibly older) who have been involved in the Criminal Justice System, or who are potentially at risk of becoming involved.

We offer a powerful weekend residential rites of passage experience followed by three months mentoring and ongoing participation at our weekly men's group. This programme, called the "Quest for Community", runs twice a year in May and September. We also offer a stand-alone 1:1 mentoring programme at any time of the year (ideally seen as a preparation for the residential weekend).

Once the young man has completed his Quest programme, he becomes a lifelong member of ABOB and can attend weekly circles and further trainings, staff rites of passage weekends and become a mentor himself.

The key purpose of the service is to provide the young men with the support they need to make the transition to an adulthood free of crime, and filled with a sense of belonging, connection and purpose. We help the young men look at who they are and who they want to become. We work with anger, grief, conflict resolution, finding purpose and developing emotional resilience. We also support them in getting into work or training, stable accommodation and in building positive relationships in their existing and new social networks.

Outcomes:

  • 80% of participants either going on to not re-offend or reporting a much lower severity in their offending behaviour
  • 73% increase in participants being in Employment, Education or Training. Paid employment rose from 7% to over 50%
  • 81% of participants showed an improvement in levels of self-esteem and self-worth
  • 67% of young men were securely housed compared to only 40% before
  • The proportion of young men with severe addiction issues dropped from 51% to 14%
  • Over 80% of participants experienced less conflict. Violent responses to conflict fell from 71% to 14%

Who to contact

Contact Name
Christopher Thomas
Contact Position
Engagement Coordinator
Telephone
0161 505 2150 0161 505 2150
E-mail
manchester@abandofbrothers.org.uk
Website
A Band of Brothers Website
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Notes

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/abobmcr

Where to go

Name
Friends Meeting House
Address
82, Wythenshawe Rd
Manchester
Postcode
M23 0DJ
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Costs

Associated Cost
No

Availability

Referral required
Referral Details

The referee must be:

  • Male
  • Aged between 18 – 25 yrs old (older candidates will be considered on merit)
  • Willing to show some level of motivation towards making changes in their lives
  • Involved with the Criminal Justice System, or at risk of becoming involved

Desirable:

  • High risk of re-offending

Potentially Excluded:

  • Young men with a history of sexual offences against minors will not be able to take part in the Quest programme (for reasons of personal safety)
  • Young Men considered at high risk of serious harm will be considered (however, this will be judged on a case-by-case basis)
  • Offenders who are chaotic (or highly dependent) Class A substance abusers, or on a methadone script, are almost certainly excluded

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