Next Chapter Scotland exists to help anyone in Scotland who has been involved with the criminal justice system to navigate the stigma and discrimination that they can face throughout their lives.
We established in 2022 and became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in 2023.
We are run by a Board of Trustees made up of at least 50% people with a criminal record or a close family member of someone with a criminal record. We made this commitment because we believe that people who have lived through the experience should be at the heart of any changes that will improve their lives and the lives of their peers.
Our Vision
Our vision is of a society that no longer judges people based on their worst choices but, instead, sees them as they are today.
How will we get there?
Our priorities are to:
Why are we needed?
It’s estimated that 1 in 3 men and 1 in 10 women in Scotland have a criminal record. In their words:
“The punishment only started with prison. 23 years on from release and it hasn’t ended yet”
“You’re not classed as a valuable member of society. You’re tainted”
“I was better off in prison because I at least had people to talk to and didn’t worry about having to sleep on the street”
“I’ll be forever known as someone who’s been to prison. No matter how much time passes or what good I do, I’ll always be judged for my past crime”
“(It's so hard) Having to disclose to a faceless call centre operator every time I need insurance”
The Role
We are recruiting a freelance trainer to develop a single-day training course that will support people who have been involved with the criminal justice system to defend their rights.
The course will support people to identify when their own rights have been, or might be, violated and develop skills to support them to defend themselves and their families.
The course will need to be supported by a comprehensive trainer guide, providing background information on all topics covered in the session.
It is important that the course is designed with enough flexibility to enable it to meet the needs of the particular trainees in any given session.
The training course developed will be the property of Next Chapter Scotland.
Support will be provided by the wider Next Chapter Scotland team and a project Steering Group.
The freelance trainer will need:
Estimated Project Timeline
Future Involvement
It is our hope that the freelance trainer will be able to continue their involvement with the organisation as a freelance trainer in the delivery of the training following the end of this contract. However, this will be funding dependent.
Applications from people who have been involved with the criminal justice system are particularly welcome.
This role does not require membership of the PVG scheme.
There is a fixed budget available to pay travel expenses.
We would be happy to consider an individual or an organisation for this role.
Closing date: 5th July
We expect interviews to be held in the weeks beginning 22nd or 29th July.
Start date: 1st September 2024
End date: 31st August 2025
Please apply by emailing your CV and a covering letter explaining why you think you would be appropriate for the role to: eppie@nextchapterscotland.org.uk
Please also contact us should you have any questions about the role.