London Mentoring Programme That Drastically Reduces Re-offending and its Cost on Society Recognised in Awards

The short film, 'Breaking the Cycle', was produced by creative communications agency MerchantCantos, and features Junior Smart, SOS Project founder, and other ex-offenders offering honest and moving testimony about their life in and out of prison. As the film develops, these ex-offenders explain how they are now committed to helping other individuals break the cycle of reoffending and get back into education, training and employment. Over the past 5 years Junior and his team of highly trained ex-offenders have had a dramatic impact on the rate of reoffending among their clients across several London boroughs.

The short film, 'Breaking the Cycle', was produced by creative communications agency MerchantCantos, and features Junior Smart, SOS Project founder, and other ex-offenders offering honest and moving testimony about their life in and out of prison. As the film develops, these ex-offenders explain how they are now committed to helping other individuals break the cycle of reoffending and get back into education, training and employment. Over the past 5 years Junior and his team of highly trained ex-offenders have had a dramatic impact on the rate of reoffending among their clients across several London boroughs.

Rob Owen, CEO of St Giles Trust, which is proud to have Prince William as its patron, said, "this film is something we are all very proud of. It helps express what we do in a way that demystifies what we so passionately believe in."

The IVCA were particularly impressed with the programme and the manner in which the film told its story in a striking yet moving way. IVCA Chief Executive Marco Forgione said, "Breaking the Cycle truly brings to life the work of the SOS Project and the passion and determination of its team members. It is an accomplished film about a fantastic project."

The film can be viewed at http://www.sosproject.org.uk.

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About St Giles Trust:

St Giles Trust aims to break the cycle of offending, crime and disadvantage and create safer communities. We put offenders who want to change at the heart of the solution by enabling them to become trained professionals, using their skills and experiences to help other offenders change their lives.

About the IVCA Clarion Awards:

The IVCA Clarion Awards are the world's only not-for-profit communication awards promoting: social inclusion, CSR, sustainable development and ethical debate. The International Visual Communications Association is the largest professional body of its kind in Europe with 1000 production members and 1500 Client Associates and exists to represent its members to stakeholders and to promote effective business and public service communications of the highest ethical and professional standards.

MerchantCantos produces in-depth interviews, documentaries and webcasts. If you would like to contact us, please email [email protected] or phone 44-207-936-1352.