Our Core Services
RIFT Champions Programme
Building opportunities from within
What if your prison could create its own self-employment support network?
The RIFT Self-Employment Champions Programme is an innovative, peer-led approach that empowers people in prison to support others in exploring self-employment as a realistic pathway into work following release.
By training selected prisoners to become Self-Employment Champions, we help establishments build an ongoing support network that identifies entrepreneurial potential, encourages participation and connects individuals with RIFT's specialist Business Start-Up Advisors.
Combining peer support, accredited learning, personalised business research and professional guidance, the programme creates opportunities that extend far beyond traditional classroom-based delivery.
How the Champions Programme Works
The Champions Programme brings together peer-led support, accredited learning and specialist business guidance to create a structured pathway into self-employment.
Rather than relying solely on external training sessions, the programme establishes an ongoing presence within the prison, helping participants explore their potential and access support throughout their journey.
01 | Training Self-Employment Champions
RIFT trains selected prisoners to become Self-Employment Champions within their establishment. Champions learn how to identify individuals interested in self-employment, introduce the programme, encourage participation and connect people with specialist support.
Champions aren't expected to become business experts. Their role is to motivate, encourage and help others take their first steps.
02 | Accredited Self-Employment Workbooks
Participants receive RIFT's accredited Self-Employment Workbook, designed to help them explore their skills, experience, motivations and business ideas.
Written in plain English and developed with input from people in prison, the workbook provides a practical introduction to the realities of self-employment, allowing participants to work through the materials independently with encouragement from their Champion.
03 | Personalised Business Builder Reports
Following referral, RIFT's specialist team develops personalised Business Builder reports based on each participant's business idea and intended release location.
These reports explore local competition, market opportunities, potential customers, start-up costs and other practical considerations, helping individuals understand what starting their own business could involve.
04 | Specialist Business Start-Up Support
RIFT's experienced Business Start-Up Advisors provide specialist guidance to help participants evaluate their ideas, overcome potential barriers and develop realistic action plans.
Regular prison visits and virtual Champion surgeries provide ongoing opportunities for support, ensuring that Champions and participants remain connected to RIFT's expertise.
05 | Support Beyond the Prison Gate
Our support doesn't have to end when someone leaves prison.
The programme includes attempted follow-up contact at six weeks and six months after release to capture employment outcomes, with enhanced packages offering dedicated through-the-gate support. This helps participants maintain their progress and provides establishments with valuable insight into employment outcomes following release.
Benefits of our Champions Programme
Greater Reach
Trained prisoner Champions create an ongoing presence within the establishment, helping more people access self-employment opportunities beyond traditional classroom delivery.
Personalised Support
Accredited workbooks, tailored Business Builder reports and specialist RIFT Advisors help participants explore their ideas and develop realistic plans for self-employment.
Peer Leadership
Champions take on purposeful responsibilities, developing valuable communication, mentoring and leadership skills while supporting others to explore their potential.
Continuity Beyond the Prison Gates
Regular RIFT visits whilst inside and ongoing Champion engagement maintain momentum, with structured post-release follow-up and enhanced through-the-gate support available.
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