Sometimes Upside is as simple as catching a breath of fresh air with a familiar face, or someone showing friendly interest in the things you care about. Here, someone supported by the service explains how their worker Shona is helping them rediscover their confidence.

What does supporting people leaving custody look like? A series of small wins that make a big difference. When someone is ready to make a change, we join them in the journey and help them stay on track. Their goals become our goals - and we work towards them together.

This is Stephen, whose powerful poem Oppression was displayed at our recent Voices exhibition. Stephen read his poem on the day and shared the meaning behind it. In his words, the poem explores how “addiction and criminality are the result of a lack of opportunity.”

Many people in prison tell us they’ve lost faith in the services that are meant to support them. So, what makes Upside different? For Stevie, it came down to “the authenticity of our agendas” - the way our values come through in how we work.

Find out what really matters to people leaving prison - read the recently launched Upside Voices report. Inside, you'll find valuable insights from those supported by our service. Available online: buff.ly/ez8ba7x

As you can imagine, the day someone is released from custody is often emotional and overwhelming. It’s usually very busy, too. Having an Upside worker to accompany, advise and advocate can make a huge difference. As one person we supported told us: “There is power in a lanyard.”

Today, the Upside partnership publishes Upside Voices, bringing together the experiences of people supported by Scotland’s national voluntary throughcare service. Read the full Upside Voices report: indd.adobe.com/view/c2472aa3…

A quote from someone supported by Upside in Edinburgh, demonstrating the vital work Upside does in actively stopping reoffending🧡

People taking part in Upside Voices described liberation as one of the most fragile points in their justice journey. They felt more confident when preparation began early, they were involved in decisions, and a trusted worker was available pre- and post-liberation. #UpsideVoices

Having to start again was a recurring experience for people taking part in Upside Voices. Changes in location or circumstances could disrupt support. Participants described returning to waiting lists, explaining circumstances again and rebuilding relationships. #UpsideVoices

Here is an insight into Upside's pod model. Although a national service, delivery happens locally through pods covering distinct local authority areas.

People taking part in Upside Voices consistently described remand as one of the most damaging stages of their justice journey. Their experiences reinforce why it should be a measure of last resort, used only when no safe and appropriate alternative is available. #UpsideVoices

People taking part in Upside Voices described how uncertainty could intensify anxiety when they were already managing trauma, housing insecurity or mental health difficulties. #UpsideVoices

People taking part in Upside Voices often linked their justice involvement to longstanding unmet needs, including trauma, housing instability, mental health difficulties and problems accessing recovery support. #UpsideVoices

Another clip from a conversation with Julie, one of Upside's Prison Worker's where she discusses her own experiences and why Upside's support is so important💜

Upside Voices brings together experiences and learning shared by people supported by Upside. Over the coming week, we will explore six themes from Upside Voices ahead of publication of the full report. #UpsideVoices

Upside supported over 2,700 people in our first year of delivery. Find out more about our work in the Annual Report on our website upside.scot/

Some photos from our final Voices Session with the Theatre of Oppressed Scotland. It has been great working with you guys and we look forward to sharing all our work at our Voices Exhibition in September.

Did you know?

A quote from a recent conversation with someone supported by Upside 👉