MAKE THE TRANSITION MTT24 24

Make The Transition 24 Ltd  ·  makethetransition.co.uk

Your Past Does
Not Own You.

Real resources. Real community. A guide that never judges. Built by someone whose work changing communities was recognised by Prime Minister David Cameron, and who later went to prison. Someone who has lived both sides and built something for everyone on either side of it.

Talk to the Guide Read the Story
1 in 3
Leave prison homeless
46%
Reoffend within 1 year
£18B
Annual cost of reoffending
0
Excuses. It starts today.
What We Do

Three Ways MTT24
Shows Up For You.

Not just a website. A complete system of support built around people who need it most.

🤖

AI Guide

Ask anything. Get real local support for your area. Jobs, housing, legal rights, mental health. Available 24 hours a day with no judgement.

🤝

12-Week Mentoring Programme

A structured 12-week mentoring programme delivered to councils and local authorities. Built around real accountability, personal development, and the tools people need to stay on track after release.

🔗

Connections

A network of people, employers, and organisations who are genuinely open to giving someone a real second chance. No gatekeeping.

Release Survival Guide

Your First 40 Days

The first 40 days after release are the highest-risk period for reoffending. Research shows that people who sort these four things in the first six weeks are significantly more likely to stay out. Here is exactly where to go and what to do, with direct links.

Day 1 Priority
1

Somewhere Safe to Sleep

Days 1 to 7

Rough sleeping in the first week is one of the strongest predictors of reoffending. If you have nowhere confirmed to go, contact these services the moment you are released. Do not wait until night.

🏠 Shelter England Free housing advice and emergency help. Helpline: 0808 800 4444 ↗ 🏛️ Apply for Council Housing Your council has a legal duty to help if you are homeless on release ↗ 🔑 NACRO Resettlement Free housing support for people leaving prison ↗ 🤲 Salvation Army Emergency accommodation and support across the UK ↗
Day 1 Priority
2

Money and Benefits

Days 1 to 14

Claim Universal Credit on your first day out. The 5-week wait starts from your claim date, not from when you get around to it. Ask for an Advance Payment at the Jobcentre to get money within days.

💷 Apply for Universal Credit gov.uk official claim portal. Start your claim today ↗ 📍 Find Your Nearest Jobcentre Walk in and ask for an Advance Payment on day one ↗ 🏦 Open a Monzo Account Free bank account, no credit check, open in minutes on your phone ↗ ℹ️ Citizens Advice: UC Guide Free help understanding and challenging UC decisions ↗
First 2 Weeks
3

Your ID and Documents

Days 7 to 21

Without ID you cannot open a bank account, claim benefits properly, get a job, or rent a property. Getting your documents sorted is not optional. These organisations can help you get ID quickly and for free.

🔢 Find Your NI Number gov.uk personal tax account. Or call HMRC: 0300 200 3500 ↗ 🛂 Apply or Renew a Passport gov.uk online passport service. Standard 3 to 6 weeks ↗ 📋 NACRO ID Support Free help getting ID documents after prison. 0300 123 1999 ↗ 🪪 PASS Card (Proof of Age) Accepted photo ID while waiting for a passport or driving licence ↗
Ongoing from Day 1
4

Support Around You

Days 1 to 40 and beyond

Isolation kills progress. Getting connected to people who understand what you are going through is one of the most protective things you can do. You do not have to work any of this out alone.

💚 Samaritans Free, 24/7, confidential. Call or text 116 123 any time ↗ 🤝 St Giles Trust Peer support from people who have been through the system themselves ↗ 🔥 MTT24 Mentoring Programme 12-week structured mentoring. Real accountability. Real results ↗ 🧠 NHS Talking Therapies Free CBT and counselling. Self-refer online, no GP needed ↗
Talk to the MTT24 Guide for help in your area →
Jordan Dixon – Founder's Story

From Prison.
To Purpose.

A change-maker recognised by the Prime Minister. Then imprisoned. Then rebuilt. This is what the road actually looked like, told honestly.

Founder of Make The Transition 24
📷 Change photo

Jordan Dixon. A young man from Peckham who found his way through sport and education. Assistant Coach for LMP Education, delivering camps at Loughborough University, then working with young people across London. His decision to step up and serve his community, giving his time when he did not have to, was recognised directly by Prime Minister David Cameron with a Points of Light Award. Not because life was easy. Because he showed up every single day regardless.

Then came prison. And the same person whose commitment to serving others had been recognised at the highest level had to rebuild from nothing. No handbook. No map. Just a quiet determination that this chapter would not be the last one. MTT24 was born from that experience. Built for everyone who has ever felt like their past cancelled their future.

🏙️

Peckham: where it all began

Grew up in Peckham. A community with real love and real pressure. From early on there was an understanding of what people in these areas are actually up against. That understanding never left.

📚

Education changed the game

Sport and education became the way through. An FA Introduction to Coaching qualification. A sports coach role. An apprenticeship. When the right support shows up, the whole path can shift.

🎓

LMP Education at Loughborough University

Assistant Coach for LMP Education, delivering their football and basketball camps held at Loughborough University. Then Sports Coordinator for LMP Education at Ponders End Youth Club and Sports Practitioner for the NCS Challenge. A real career being built through sport, giving back at every step.

🏅

Stepping Up to Serve: Recognised by Prime Minister David Cameron

Jordan Dixon was awarded the Points of Light Award by Prime Minister David Cameron for stepping up to serve his community. The Points of Light programme honours outstanding individuals who volunteer and give back without being asked, without fanfare, and without expectation of reward. Jordan did exactly that. A young man from Peckham, choosing to serve the people around him every day. Recognised at the very highest level for it. Also named an #iwill Ambassador for inspiring young people through sport and civic action. The recognition was never the point. Serving was.

⚖️

The system. Probation. Prison.

Life took a hard turn. The youth offending system. Probation. Prison. But even inside, the sense of purpose never disappeared. A conviction takes your freedom for a time. It does not take who you are.

🔥

MTT24 is born

Released with a conviction, a vision, and nothing to lose. Built what did not exist when it was needed most. MTT24 now delivers a 12-week mentoring programme commissioned by councils, giving people coming out of the system real structure, real accountability, and a genuine path forward.

"I am not going to pretend the journey was straightforward. I received an award from the Prime Minister and later went to prison. Both things are true. And somehow both things led me here. If my story shows anything, it is that your highest points and your lowest points can both be part of the same purpose. MTT24 exists because nobody should have to find that out alone."
Jordan Dixon, Founder, Make The Transition 24 Ltd
Employment & Stability

Get Back
On Your Feet.

A stable roof and steady income are the two most powerful things on release. These UK organisations were built to help people in exactly your situation.

Employment

Unlock

The UK's leading charity for people with convictions. Challenges discrimination and gives practical guidance on employment, insurance, and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

unlock.org.uk
Employment

Switchback

London-based social enterprise offering intensive one-to-one support and real jobs to young men leaving prison. Not just employment. A genuine second chance built around relationships.

switchback.org.uk
Employment

Catch 22

National charity running education and employment programmes across the justice system, connecting people with fair-chance employers who are genuinely open to giving someone a chance.

catch-22.org.uk
Housing

Shelter

Free expert housing advice for people leaving prison. Councils have a legal duty to help if you are homeless on release. Free helpline open 365 days a year.

shelter.org.uk   0808 800 4444

Your first 30 days

1
Get your documents in order Birth certificate, National Insurance number, and photo ID are the foundation for everything. Your local Job Centre can help you get them.
2
Claim what you are entitled to Universal Credit, housing benefit, and Council Tax Support may all be available. Gov.uk/leaving-prison has the full guide for people post-release.
3
Contact a reentry organisation Switchback, St Giles Trust, and NACRO offer free one-to-one support covering jobs, housing, and mental health together.
4
Understand your licence conditions Knowing exactly what your licence says prevents accidental breaches. Ask your probation officer for a written copy and keep it with you.
Mental Health & Wellbeing

Your Mind
Matters.

What you have been through is real. What you are carrying is real. Asking for support is not weakness. It is one of the strongest moves you can make.

In crisis right now? Call Samaritans.

Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No judgement, ever. You can also email jo@samaritans.org

116 123
Therapy

NHS Talking Therapies

Free NHS-funded CBT and counselling. No referral needed in most areas. Self-refer directly at nhs.uk/mental-health.

Self-refer free
Support

Mind

Mental health support, local services, and a criminal justice programme specifically for people in and leaving the system across England and Wales.

mind.org.uk
Substance use

Talk to Frank

Free confidential drug and alcohol support. Your GP can also refer you to free local drug treatment with no waiting list in most areas.

talktofrank.com
🌬️
Box breathing In 4, hold 4, out 4, hold 4. Repeat 4 times. Resets your nervous system in under 2 minutes.
📝
Daily journalling One thing you are grateful for, one goal for tomorrow. Three minutes a day changes how you see each day.
🚶
Move your body A 20-minute walk releases endorphins and clears your head. Free, always available, always effective.
👥
Build your circle carefully The people around you shape your path more than almost anything else. Seek people who are building, not going backwards.
Benefits and Income

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is the main benefit for people on low income or out of work in the UK. You can claim it from the day you are released. Here is everything you need to know and exactly how to apply.

💷

You can claim on your first day out

You do not need to wait. You do not need a bank account yet to start your claim (though you will need one before your first payment). The sooner you claim, the sooner the 5-week wait begins. Apply the moment you are released.

You can usually claim Universal Credit if all of the following apply:

  • ✅ You are aged 18 or over (some 16 to 17 year olds can also claim)
  • ✅ You are under State Pension age
  • ✅ You live in the UK
  • ✅ You are on a low income or out of work
  • ✅ You have savings below £16,000
  • ✅ You have a National Insurance number
If you do not have your NI number: Contact HMRC on 0300 200 3500. They can trace it from your name, date of birth and address history. Your NI number does not change after prison.
Serving a sentence: You cannot claim while you are in prison. But you can and should apply on the day of release or ask someone trusted to help you prepare the claim in advance so it is ready to go the moment you are out.

Have these ready before you start your application. Missing documents will slow things down.

  • 🪪
    Photo ID
    Passport, driving licence, or PASS card. No photo ID? See below.
  • 🔢
    National Insurance Number
    On your P60, payslips, or any HMRC letter. Call 0300 200 3500 if you cannot find it.
  • 🏦
    Bank Account
    UC pays into a bank account. Monzo and Starling open accounts online with no credit check in minutes. You will need a phone number and email address.
  • 🏠
    Address
    Where you are staying, even if it is temporary. A hostel, friend's or family address is fine to use.
  • 📧
    Email Address
    All UC communication goes through your online journal. If you do not have an email, create a free Gmail or Outlook account first.
  • 📱
    Phone Number
    For your identity verification step during the application.
No photo ID? You can still apply. During the identity verification step, select the option to verify in person at a Post Office or Jobcentre. NACRO and Citizens Advice can also help you get ID. Call NACRO on 0300 123 1999.
1

Go to gov.uk/universal-credit

Click "Start now." You will be asked to create a Government Gateway account or sign in if you already have one. Use your email address and set a strong password. Write it down somewhere safe.

Go to gov.uk to apply →
2

Fill in your personal details

Name, date of birth, address, National Insurance number, contact details. Take your time. Errors here can slow down your claim significantly.

Find your NI Number →
3

Verify your identity

You will be asked to verify your identity online using a passport, driving licence, or bank card details. If you cannot do this online, you can verify in person at your local Jobcentre or Post Office. Tell them you have just been released if needed.

Post Office ID verification →
4

Add your housing costs

If you are renting, add your landlord's details and how much rent you pay. UC includes a housing element if you rent. If you are in a hostel, they may already know the process.

5

Book your first Jobcentre appointment

After submitting your claim, you will be contacted to attend a New Claimant Interview at your local Jobcentre. This is where you agree your Claimant Commitment. Missing this appointment can pause your claim, so prioritise it.

Find your Jobcentre →
6

Wait for your first payment

Your first UC payment arrives approximately 5 weeks after your claim date. If you cannot wait that long, ask for an Advance Payment on the same day you claim. This is a loan taken from future payments but it means you have money from day one. Ask the Jobcentre worker or request it through your online journal.

How to get an Advance Payment →
  • 📓
    Check your online journal weekly
    This is how your work coach communicates with you. If you miss messages, your payments can be reduced or stopped.
  • 🤝
    Attend all appointments
    Missing a Jobcentre appointment without telling them in advance will trigger a sanction. Always contact them before you miss, even if you just call.
  • ⚠️
    Report any change in circumstances
    Starting work, moving address, change in who you live with. Report it through your journal within a month or it counts as a fraud overpayment.
  • 💷
    Starting a business does not stop UC
    You can be self-employed and still receive Universal Credit. You will need to report your earnings each month. During the startup period you may not face the Minimum Income Floor for 12 months.
  • 🏛️
    If UC is stopped or reduced unfairly, challenge it
    You have the right to request a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month. Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848) will help you do this for free.
Hardship Payment: If you are sanctioned and have no money, you can apply for a Hardship Payment. This is 60% of your standard allowance. Ask for it through your journal the same day the sanction is applied.

This is a rough guide only. Your actual amount depends on your full circumstances. Use the official gov.uk benefits calculator for a precise figure.

Get a rough estimate

Entrepreneurship

Start Your Own Business

A criminal record does not stop you from building something of your own. Here are the exact steps to go from idea to trading legally in the UK.

1

Choose Your Business Structure

Most small businesses start as a sole trader (simplest, least cost) or a limited company (more protection, more admin). As a sole trader you keep all profit but are personally liable for debts. A limited company separates you legally from the business. MTT24 Ltd is a limited company as a reference point.

2

Register with HMRC

Sole trader: register for Self Assessment at gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader. Limited company: register with Companies House at gov.uk/limited-company-formation for just GBP 12 online. You will need a business name, a registered address, and at least one director (you).

3

Open a Business Bank Account

Keep business money separate from personal money from day one. Monzo Business and Starling Bank both offer free accounts with no credit check required. Apply online in minutes. Having a business account looks professional to clients and makes your tax return much easier.

4

Sort Your Public Liability Insurance

If your work involves dealing with clients, visiting people's premises, or delivering any kind of service in person, public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong. Most councils and schools require it before they will book you. See the insurance guidance below.

5

Create a Simple Invoice Template

You must give clients an invoice showing: your name or company name, your address, invoice number, date, description of work, amount, and your bank details. Free tools: Wave (wavapps.com) or a simple Word or Google Docs template. Always invoice on time.

6

Get Free Business Support

Start Up Loans (gov.uk/start-up-loans): Government-backed loans of GBP 500 to GBP 25,000 at 6% interest, plus free mentoring. Prince's Trust Enterprise: Free support, grants and training if you are aged 18 to 30. NACRO Enterprise: Specialist support for people with convictions wanting to start a business.

Choose Your Company Type

Not sure which structure is right for you? Click your situation below and get a personalised checklist.

🧑

Sole Trader

Just you. Quickest to set up. Lowest cost. You keep all profit. You are personally liable for any debts.

🏢

Limited Company

Separate legal entity. Looks more professional. Protects your personal assets. More admin required.

🤝

Social Enterprise

You trade with a social mission. Eligible for more grants and council contracts. Ideal for community work.

Sole Trader Setup Checklist

Tick each step as you complete it. Your progress is saved in your browser.

0 of 6 steps complete
  • ✓
    Register as self-employed with HMRC (free, takes 10 minutes)Open ↗
  • ✓
    Open a free business bank account, no credit check requiredMonzo ↗
  • ✓
    Get public liability insurance (from around £100 per year)Compare ↗
  • ✓
    Create a free invoice template with your details and bank infoWave ↗
  • ✓
    Track income and expenses from day one using a free appWave ↗
  • ✓
    Submit a Self Assessment tax return every January for the previous yeargov.uk ↗
You can stay on Universal Credit as a sole trader. Report your self-employed earnings monthly through your UC journal. You have a 12-month startup period before the Minimum Income Floor applies.

Limited Company Setup Checklist

Tick each step as you complete it. Your progress is saved in your browser.

0 of 7 steps complete
  • ✓
    Check your company name is available at Companies HouseSearch ↗
  • ✓
    Register your limited company online for £12 (takes about 24 hours)Register ↗
  • ✓
    Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within 3 months of tradinggov.uk ↗
  • ✓
    Open a business bank account in the company nameStarling ↗
  • ✓
    Get public liability insurance before taking any contractsCompare ↗
  • ✓
    Set up payroll if you are paying yourself a salary (free HMRC tool)PAYE ↗
  • ✓
    File annual accounts and Confirmation Statement each yeargov.uk ↗
A criminal record does not prevent you being a company director. Some specific convictions (fraud, money laundering) can disqualify you. If unsure, get free advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor before registering.

Social Enterprise Setup Checklist

Tick each step as you complete it. Your progress is saved in your browser.

0 of 6 steps complete
  • ✓
    Write a one-page social mission statement: what you do, who you serve, how you measure impactGuide ↗
  • ✓
    Decide your structure: CIC (Community Interest Company) is most common for social enterprisesgov.uk ↗
  • ✓
    Register as a CIC online for £27 (takes a few days to process)Register ↗
  • ✓
    Apply for a Start Up Loan of up to £25,000 with free mentoringApply ↗
  • ✓
    Register with Social Enterprise UK for network, tenders, and supportJoin ↗
  • ✓
    Get public liability insurance before working with any clientsCompare ↗
MTT24 Ltd is a social enterprise at heart. Delivering the 12-week mentoring programme to councils is exactly the kind of traded social value that local authorities are increasingly required to commission. Your lived experience is a competitive advantage in this space.

Public Liability Insurance

If you work with the public, deliver programmes, or visit clients, you need this. Most councils and local authorities will not contract you without it.

What It Covers

If a client, member of the public, or third party suffers injury or property damage because of your work, public liability insurance pays the legal costs and compensation. Without it, a single claim could wipe out everything you have built.

How Much Cover Do You Need

Most councils and public sector bodies require a minimum of GBP 5 million public liability cover. Some require GBP 10 million. Check the tender or contract documents. Sports and youth work programmes almost always require GBP 5 million minimum.

How Much Does It Cost

For a sole trader doing youth mentoring or coaching, expect to pay between GBP 100 and GBP 250 per year for GBP 5 million cover. Cost varies by trade, turnover, and claims history. Always compare quotes.

Where to Get It

Compare quotes at Simply Business, Superscript, or through your trade association. If you are doing sports or youth work, Endsleigh and HSBC Business Insurance are worth checking. Get at least 3 quotes.

What Else You Might Need

Public liability is usually the first requirement. You may also need: Professional indemnity (if giving advice), Employers liability (legally required if you employ anyone), and DBS enhanced disclosure (required for all youth work).

Renew on Time

Insurance lapses the day the policy ends. Councils check your certificate before every contract and will stop payment if it has expired. Set a calendar reminder 6 weeks before renewal. Many providers offer automatic renewal but always check the premium has not risen sharply.

Physical Wellbeing

Daily Fitness Routine

Staying fit is not just about looking good. Exercise reduces anxiety, improves sleep, builds discipline, and gives you structure. No gym membership required. Click each day to expand the plan.

Warm up (5 min): Arm circles, shoulder rolls, light jogging on the spot.
Main circuit (3 rounds, 45 sec on / 15 sec rest):
Push-ups (chest and triceps) · Pike push-ups (shoulders) · Diamond push-ups (triceps) · Dips using a chair · Plank hold
Cool down (5 min): Chest opener stretch, shoulder cross-body stretch, deep breathing.
Tip: If push-ups are too hard, start on your knees. Progress matters more than perfection.
Warm up (5 min): Jumping jacks, high knees, leg swings.
Main circuit (3 rounds):
Burpees x 10 · Mountain climbers x 20 · Jump squats x 15 · Bicycle crunches x 20 · Leg raises x 15
Optional: 20-30 minute brisk walk or jog outdoors. Fresh air is part of the recovery.
Cool down (5 min): Lying twist stretch, hip flexor stretch, slow breathing.
Tip: Cardio releases dopamine. On your hardest mental health days, this is the most important session to do.
Warm up (5 min): Leg swings, hip circles, glute bridges x 10.
Main circuit (3 rounds):
Squats x 20 · Reverse lunges x 12 each leg · Sumo squats x 15 · Glute bridges x 20 · Calf raises x 25
Cool down (5 min): Quad stretch, hamstring stretch, seated figure-4 stretch.
Tip: Strong legs build stability, not just physically but mentally. Finish every rep. That discipline carries over into every area of your life.
This is not a rest day. It is a recovery day. Movement is still important.

20-minute walk or light jog · Full body stretch routine (10 minutes) · Foam rolling if available · 10 minutes of deep breathing or guided meditation
Mental health practice: Write down 3 things that went well this week, however small. This rewires the brain toward progress.
Tip: Most people skip recovery days. The people who do not are the ones who stay consistent for months, not weeks.
Warm up (5 min): Dynamic movements, arm swings, light jog on the spot.
HIIT circuit (4 rounds, 40 sec on / 20 sec rest):
Burpees · Push-ups · Jump squats · Mountain climbers · High knees · Plank
Rest 90 seconds between rounds.
Cool down (5 min): Full body stretch, controlled breathing, hydrate.
Tip: End the working week with your hardest session. Going into the weekend knowing you gave everything changes how you feel about yourself.
Today is about enjoying movement and rebuilding community.

Join a local 5-a-side or park run · Play football, basketball, or any team sport · Go for a long walk with someone · Visit a community gym or leisure centre
Free resources: parkrun.org.uk has free weekly 5km runs across the UK every Saturday morning. No experience needed. Every level welcome.
Tip: Isolation is one of the biggest risks after release. Sport is one of the best ways to build real connections without having to force conversation.
Rest is not weakness. It is where growth actually happens.

Full rest day · Light stretching if your body needs it · Cook a proper meal · Spend time with family or people who support you · Plan your goals for the coming week
Weekly reflection questions:
What went well this week? · What was hard and how did I handle it? · What is one thing I will do differently next week?
Tip: Writing your answers down takes 5 minutes and makes the next week significantly better. Consistency over time is how everything changes.
Career Tools

CV Builder

Build a clean, professional CV in minutes. Fill in the form and your CV updates live on the right. Print it or copy the text to paste anywhere.

Your CV will appear here as you type.

Your Journey

My Profile and Portfolio

Track your progress, save your wins, and build a record of everything you have achieved since release. Your data stays in your browser and is never sent anywhere.

👤

Milestones

Portfolio of Achievements

Your Skills and Badges

Resilience Communication Determination
MTT24 AI Guide

Talk to the
MTT24 Guide.

Type your area and what you need. The guide finds real local support near you for jobs, housing, mental health, and legal help. No judgement. Any time.

MTT24 Guide Online
MTT24 Guide Welcome. No judgement, no pressure. Whether you just got out or you have been rebuilding for a while, you are in the right place. Tell me your area and what you need, and I will find real local support for you.