Sixty-One at Treefest  

Did you see us at Treefest? 6,000 people came through the doors of St Mary Redcliffe Church on what was one of the stormiest weekends of the year! They were greeted by an array Christmas trees, each beautifully decorated by the charities they represented, along with music from 33 choirs and groups of musicians performing over the 3.5 days. 

As Treefest’s partner charity this year, the Sixty-One team, trustees and volunteers were delighted to be there throughout the weekend, welcoming people at our stand and sharing the importance of the work that we do. 

Each of our projects were displayed behind advent doors that had been designed by our talented mentors and mentees. Children could also colour in socks (an item in our Christmas gift bags) to cheer up the cell and understand the impact that a gift like this can make. By the end of the weekend a total of 95 socks decorated our stand!  
 

                      

 

                       

                               

Last week we celebrated with 37 of our mentors and mentees, enjoying hot drinks and Christmas treats together, as well as quizzes, music, games and great conversation. These events are not only some of the highlights of our calendar, they are an important step for many in reducing the social isolation that can be experienced on leaving prison. Some of our newer mentees had crossed significant fear lines to be with us that evening, it was so good to see them relax and enjoying the event by the end of the night. It was also an opportunity for us to celebrate our 10-year anniversary together with our incredible mentees and mentors, some of whom have been with us right from the beginning! 
 

Earlier this year, we were also delighted to celebrate our 10-year anniversary with many of our partners and volunteers. We were thrilled to welcome over 100 city leaders, prison and judicial representatives, support organisations, charities and volunteers who joined us as we heard from the Rt Rev Bishop Rachel Treweek, Lord Bishop of Gloucester & Anglican Bishop for HM Prisons in England & Wales and from our incredible mentees about the impact of Sixty-One over the last 10 years.

“Before MentorMe [my life was] total chaos really. Since meeting MentorMe, I have someone to talk to, talking to me as a human being and not looking at me as a lesser than a human being or lesser than them. It made me feel human and a person, that I was worth something.” – Former mentee 

“Thank you for all that you are doing with people in prison and people who come out of prison because all of us are equal and all of us want to fulfil our potential and make our communities stronger and to live that vision of good relationship where all is made new.” – Bishop Rachel Treweek
 

Could you mentor someone coming out of prison? 

Mentor Me achieves a 95% reduction in re-offending rates and a saving to the taxpayer of 2.6 million every year!

Could you support someone who’s been through the criminal justice system by giving an hour of your time a week to help someone achieve their goals? 

Our next MentorMe training course begins on Saturday 25th January – please contact info@sixty-one.org for further details and information on how to register.

“MentorMe and Sixty-One are just so important in helping people to navigate change when they come out.” – A former mentee 
 

A final thought ... 

As we come towards the end of another year, I'd like to leave you with a beautiful spoken word written for Sixty-One’s 10-year anniversary by one of our incredible befriendees. 

I’m grateful for each and every opportunity that Sixty-One has had this year to connect with people seeking to live a life-transformed and with those supporting them to do so.    

With the promise of a new year, the below words take on even more poignancy and inspire us to continue ever onwards on this journey of hope. 
 

A Journey of Hope 

In the quiet dawn, where dreams take flight
Hope rises gently, like morning light
A hand reaches out, warm and kind
A mentor's wisdom, a guiding mind

Through valleys deep and mountains tall
in every stumble, in every fall
A voice of courage whispers near,
''You are stronger than you fear''

Step of transition, one by one,
A path unfolding, a journey begun.
Through dark times of doubt and strife,
We find the strength to reshape our life

With each new day, the light grows bright,
Celebration dances in the night
For every lesson learned, a star,
Guiding us to where we are,
We see the beauty of what life can be.

Hope, mentoring, transition and joy,
Together they craft, they build, they employ,
A life reborn, a soul set free
A celebration of all we're meant to be.

-    A Former Mentee and current Befriendee

 

As we give thanks for all that has been this year, we look forward with hope and excitement for what is to come next in 2025. 

We wish you a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year! 

From Elizabeth and all the team here at Sixty-One