Unlocking Potential – Creating Pathways into Employment for Female Ex-Offenders

In May 2026, the Worshipful Company of Constructors’ Diversity & Inclusion Committee welcomed The Glasshouse CIC for an inspiring workshop exploring how employers can help create opportunities for women leaving prison.

The Glasshouse provides training, employment and self-employment pathways through horticulture, helping women rebuild confidence, develop practical skills and secure sustainable careers. Their impact demonstrates the value of inclusive employment, with a reported 0% reoffending rate compared with a national average of 58% for women released from prison.

The workshop encouraged members to consider the positive role employers can play in opening doors to people with lived experience. A growing range of guidance, toolkits and practical support is available to help organisations develop inclusive recruitment practices and confidently support employees with convictions. A selection of these resources is provided below.

Businesses Can Also Support The Glasshouse

• Supporting The Glasshouse is another practical way to make a difference. Businesses can help create training and employment opportunities for women leaving prison by commissioning workplace planting and maintenance services, hosting corporate plant workshops or purchasing plants and gifts through The Glasshouse social enterprise. Every partnership helps create sustainable employment while supporting a proven organisation that is changing lives through meaningful work. Website: https://www.theglasshouse.co.uk

Additional Resources for Employers

Employers interested in learning more about recruiting, supporting and retaining people with convictions can access a range of practical guidance, employer toolkits and specialist advice through the organisations below.

• The Glasshouse CIC – Training, employment and social enterprise supporting women leaving prison through horticulture.
  Website: https://www.theglasshouse.co.uk
• Working Chance – Specialist employment charity supporting women with criminal convictions into sustainable employment and providing advice for employers.
  Website: https://workingchance.org
• Unlock – Practical guidance for employers on recruiting people with criminal records, disclosure requirements and fair recruitment practices.
  Website: https://unlock.org.uk
• New Futures Network – Connects employers with prisons and probation services to recruit people leaving custody.
  Website: https://newfuturesnetwork.gov.uk
• Business in the Community – Employer resources and guidance on inclusive recruitment, including the Ban the Box campaign.
  Website: https://www.bitc.org.uk
• Acas – Independent guidance on fair recruitment, equality and inclusive workplaces.
  Website: https://www.acas.org.uk

To learn more about the Unlocking Potential workshop, including The Glasshouse’s inspiring work supporting women leaving prison, the plant workshop and feedback from the event, read our full newsletter article.

Read the full article here