Release Mates believes that getting people off to a good start after their release from prison is important. Stories of people being released homeless, without basic necessities such as food, clothes, and toiletries, have become all too frequent. 

A Departure Lounge is a safe place for people to access support from people with lived experience of leaving prison and not returning. As well as providing hope and advice, Release Mates gives out food, toiletries, clothes, pre-loaded Vodafone sim cards, and much more. 

Many people who meet Release Mates at a Departure Lounge stay in touch and come back to us for ongoing support. 

If you know of a prison which could benefit from this service. Please get in touch via our contact page