Millwall Football Club is delighted to announce the start of its first Twinning Project delivery this week at HMP/YOI Isis Belmarsh prison.

The accredited FA football-based course started delivering at HMP/YOI Isis Belmarsh prison this week by the Millwall Community Trust. Twelve individuals are participating in the course both in the classroom and out on the field, and on top of providing them with knowledge and education, it will also have a wider impact with regard to their life skills and lead to an upturn in behaviour.     

Launched in October 2018 by David Dein, the former Vice Chairman of Arsenal and the Football Association, and supported by the UK’s leading professional football clubs and footballing bodies, the Twinning Project aims to support prisoners whilst in custody and on release to help prepare them in their search for employment and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.  

Sean Daly, CEO at the Community Trust, said: “The project shows again the ground-breaking work the Community Trust is completing to support individuals and families in our local areas, the project was due to start in January, but due to COVID 19 restrictions , we had to delay to start this week.”  

Hilton Freund, Chief Executive at the Twinning Project, added: “Football has the power to change lives. Sadly over 83% of those leaving prison will do so without any form of employment available to them. The Twinning Project plans to upskill by delivering a football-based educational provision in an attempt to reduce the re-offending rates, create safer communities and save lives. The Twinning Project is absolutely delighted that Millwall Community Trust and HMP Isis have joined the programme.”