Young Offender Institutions
Young people aged 16 to 21
A recognised qualification and a mentor at the age when a clear direction matters most.
Fit4Freedom programme
Fitness qualifications and career pathways for people in custody.
Fit For Freedom CIC helps people in prisons and Young Offender Institutions gain recognised fitness qualifications, one-to-one mentoring and a clear route into work or self-employment on release.
- 10 participantsin our first group
- 6 monthsfrom first session to career plan
- Level 2 and Level 3Fitness Instructing and Personal Training
- 2 monthsof mentoring after the qualification
- Guaranteed interviewswith PureGym for graduates
About us
Turning an interest in fitness into a career.
Many people develop a passion for training while serving a sentence, but leave without qualifications, career guidance or industry contacts.
That gap leads to unemployment, financial hardship and a higher risk of reoffending. Fit For Freedom CIC closes it with accredited training, mentoring and direct links to employers in the fitness industry.
We are a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee. Our assets and any surplus are locked for community benefit and reinvested in our work.
The programme
How Fit4Freedom works
A six-month programme delivered inside a prison or YOI, with 12 tutor contact days and mentoring throughout.
Engage
We work with the prison to choose participants and learn their interests, skills and goals.
Qualify
A Vector Training tutor delivers Level 2 Fitness Instructing and Level 3 Personal Training.
Prepare
One-to-one mentoring on confidence, employability, career planning and running a business.
Connect
Links to gyms and sports organisations, including guaranteed interviews with PureGym.
Progress
Each participant leaves with a career plan, with mentoring for two months after completion.
Delivery starts once custodial permissions, safeguarding requirements and operational arrangements are agreed with the prison.
What participants receive
Everything needed to work in the industry.
- Accredited qualifications. Level 2 Fitness Instructing and Level 3 Personal Training through Vector Training.
- Fitness education workshops. Anatomy, coaching, health and healthy lifestyles.
- Business and entrepreneurship training. Marketing, finding clients, money management and business planning.
- One-to-one mentoring. Through the qualification and for two months after.
- Career webinars. Employability, customer service and professional development.
- Employer partnerships and guest speakers. Placements, interviews and advice from people working in the industry.
Who we support
Two groups, one pathway
Our main focus is people nearing release. Graduates can also support the prison's own fitness and well-being activities.
Category B, C and D prisons
Adults aged 21 and over
Market-ready skills and employer links that make release the start of a career.
For governors and prison partners
Why bring Fit4Freedom to your prison
Reduced reoffending
A clear, legitimate route to work and self-sufficiency on release.
Stronger rehabilitation
Market-relevant skills that add to your existing education offer.
A more positive regime
Purposeful activity and trained people to support wider well-being.
Uses existing facilities
Delivered in your gym, working alongside PE and education staff.
Measured outcomes
Attendance, qualifications, confidence and progression tracked and reported.
Long-term savings
Every person who doesn't return to custody saves the justice system money.
Our first programme is grant funded.
Talk to us about getting started
Core costs are covered by independent, non-government funding through the National Lottery. All your prison needs to provide is access, gym time and a member of staff as a contact.
Industry partners
Connected to the people who hire
Our relationships across the fitness and sports industry shape the programme and open doors for graduates.
- PureGymGuaranteed interviews for every graduate
- Vector Training
- Snap Fitness
- Elite Fitness
- Trident
- Iron Works
- Newman University Sport
Safeguarding and impact
Safe delivery and measured results
Safeguarding and inclusion
- We work within each institution's safeguarding, security and operational rules.
- Checks, training and risk assessments are completed before delivery starts.
- Mentoring is arranged with custodial staff to protect welfare and confidentiality.
- An inclusive learning environment that respects each person's circumstances.
What we measure
- Attendance and completion of programme activities.
- Qualifications achieved.
- Changes in confidence, motivation and employability.
- Career plans written and engagement with mentoring.
- Progression into work, self-employment or further training.
Stories
Participant stories are coming soon.
After our first group finishes, and with their permission, we'll share the stories of graduates who have gone on to work in gyms or start their own coaching business.
Get involved
Help someone take the next step
We work with prisons, employers and funders to give people leaving custody a real chance.
Prisons and YOIs
Run Fit4Freedom for a group of people in your prison or YOI.
Bring it to your prisonGyms and employers
Offer placements, interviews or a first job to graduates.
Become an employer partnerFunders and supporters
Fund future groups, or support the programme as a speaker or volunteer.
Support our workContact
Get in touch
Whether you run a prison, a gym or a fund, we'd like to hear from you.