HMP Drake Hall

HMP Drake Hall

The Halfords Academy at HMP Drake Hall was launched a number of years ago and it is a scheme which we remain firmly committed to.

It offers participants the opportunity to train as cycle mechanics and create the prospect of steady employment upon release. The programme is tailored for each participant with an added focus on mechanics, customer services or retail.

Since launch, the Halfords Academy has been a great success and although COVID-19 meant the programme had to pause, we have resumed training, and are currently training twelve female offenders. Twenty graduates have joined the business in a variety of roles following their release. Fully supported by Halfords colleagues, participants are subject to the same high standards of training as other colleagues within the Group – the training programme is thorough, designed to challenge participants and raise aspirations. The programme provides offenders with the opportunity to be trained and work on bikes that require reconditioning.

The majority of the bikes are then donated to primary schools in disadvantaged areas to help children access cycling through the Halfords school bike donation scheme.