Sharing Learning from the Phoenix and Athena Projects

📅 24 September 2026

🕚 10:00am – 3:00pm

📍 The Ballroom, Grimsby Town Hall

Join us for an engaging event bringing together policymakers, commissioners, service providers, researchers, people with lived experience, and criminal justice partners to explore what works when supporting prison leavers to successfully reintegrate into their communities.

We are delighted to announce that Dame Carol Black will be opening the event. Widely recognised as one of the UK's leading voices on public health, Dame Carol's landmark independent review of drugs has been instrumental in shaping the Government's national strategy to prevention, treatment and recovery. Her influential work and expertise make her uniquely placed to set the scene for a day focused on improving outcomes for people leaving prison and support their successful return to the community.

Through a combination of keynote speakers, lived experience testimony, evaluation findings, panel discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will gain valuable insights into effective approaches for supporting people leaving prison and overcoming barriers to recovery, rehabilitation and social inclusion.

What to Expect

Hear the story behind the development of the Phoenix and Athena projects

Opening address from Dame Carol Black

Learn what works when supporting prison leavers returning to the community

Listen to powerful accounts from people with lived experience

Gain early access to evaluation findings and key lessons learned

Network with colleagues and partners from across health, criminal justice, local government and the voluntary sector

Who Should Attend

This event is relevant to:

Policymakers

Commissioners

Public health professionals

Criminal justice practitioners

Service providers

Voluntary and community sector organisations

Researchers and evaluators

Representatives from MoJ, HMPPS, OHID and partner agencies

Exhibition and Displays

Throughout the event attendees will have the opportunity to visit:

An exhibition showcasing participant photographs that capture the impact of support after prison.

Information stands from local services and stakeholders

Further Information

A buffet lunch, along with tea, coffee and refreshments, will be provided throughout the event.

Confirmed speakers and the full programme will be announced shortly. We look forward to welcoming you to Grimsby Town Hall for a day of learning, collaboration and shared action to improve outcomes for people leaving prison.

Find out more about Wizer and their work: Home - Wizer

Further details about the evaluation can be found below and at https://phirst.nihr.ac.uk/evaluations/prison-leavers-project-phoenix-athena/

Description supplied by the event organiser.