What we offer
Our Services
Six interconnected services designed to support people through every stage of rebuilding their lives — from a safe place to sleep to a career they're proud of.
At Second Chance Pathways CIC, we know that lasting change doesn't come from one intervention alone. That's why our services are designed to work together — addressing housing, skills, employment, education, health, and food security as a whole. Many of the people we support have been through the justice system, experienced homelessness, or faced long-term unemployment. We meet people where they are, without judgement.
Safe, stable housing is where everything begins.
Without a safe place to sleep, nothing else is possible. We work with individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or leaving prison with nowhere to go. Our housing team navigates the system alongside people — from emergency accommodation on release day to long-term tenancy support.
For people leaving prison, finding housing is one of the biggest barriers to successful resettlement. We work with probation services, prisons, and housing providers across Greater Manchester to ensure no one leaves custody without a plan.
What we offer
- Emergency accommodation referrals — including on day of release
- Housing application support and local authority liaison
- Tenancy sustainment advice and rent arrears support
- Move-in support and access to furniture and household essentials
- Ongoing housing advocacy and landlord mediation
Who this is for
Anyone facing homelessness, leaving prison or custody, fleeing domestic abuse, or struggling to maintain their current housing in Greater Manchester.
Build the skills that open doors — including inside prison.
Our job training programmes give people the practical, accredited skills they need to enter or re-enter the workforce. We deliver training both in the community and inside HM Prisons across the North West — so people can start building their future before they're released.
We deliver in-prison training at several establishments across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, working with prison education teams to deliver accredited qualifications in construction, catering, IT, and logistics. Pre-release programmes help people transition directly into employment on release.
What we offer
- CSCS card preparation and construction skills (in-prison and community)
- Catering and food hygiene qualifications (Level 1 & 2 Food Safety)
- IT and digital skills — from basic computing to Microsoft Office certification
- Logistics and warehousing — forklift, manual handling, and CPC preparation
- Pre-release employment programmes — job-ready before the gate
- CV writing, interview preparation, and job application support
Who this is for
People in custody preparing for release, those who are long-term unemployed, or anyone looking to gain accredited qualifications and enter a new sector.
We connect people with employers who believe in second chances.
Finding a job with a criminal record is one of the hardest challenges our clients face. We work with a growing network of fair-chance employers across Greater Manchester who are committed to inclusive hiring — and we support people through every stage of the employment journey, from application to 12 months in work.
We provide clear guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 — helping both clients and employers understand what needs to be disclosed, when, and how. For roles requiring a DBS check, we support clients through the process and work with employers to assess risk fairly and proportionately.
What we offer
- Job matching with our network of fair-chance employer partners
- Supported work placements and paid trial periods
- DBS guidance — Rehabilitation of Offenders Act advice for clients and employers
- 12 months of in-work support — check-ins, mediation, and crisis response
- Self-employment guidance and business start-up signposting
- Employer engagement — training managers on fair-chance hiring practices
Who this is for
Anyone ready to work but facing barriers — including criminal records, long-term unemployment, lack of references, or gaps in work history.
It's never too late to learn.
Education opens doors that nothing else can. We offer a range of learning opportunities — from basic literacy and numeracy to accredited qualifications — all delivered in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Many of the people we work with had negative experiences of school; we work hard to make learning feel different.
Low literacy and numeracy are significant barriers to employment and independent living. We provide one-to-one and small group support, working at each person's pace. We also connect people with further education providers, apprenticeships, and funded training routes.
What we offer
- Literacy and numeracy support — from entry level to Level 2
- GCSE and functional skills programmes in English and Maths
- Accredited vocational qualifications across a range of sectors
- Learning support for adults with additional needs or learning difficulties
- Connections to further education, apprenticeships, and funded training
- One-to-one tutoring and small group sessions
Who this is for
Adults who left school without qualifications, those who want to upskill or change direction, or anyone who needs a supportive and flexible learning environment.
Your health matters — and we'll help you access the care you need.
Many of the people we support have complex, unmet health needs — physical and mental — that have gone unaddressed for years. We help people access NHS services, mental health support, and wellbeing programmes, removing the practical and emotional barriers that so often get in the way.
People leaving prison often face significant health challenges, including mental health conditions, substance misuse, and chronic physical health problems. We work closely with NHS partners, community mental health teams, and substance misuse services to ensure people get the right support at the right time.
What we offer
- GP and NHS registration support — including for people with no fixed address
- Mental health referrals, counselling, and crisis support
- Substance misuse support and harm reduction
- Wellbeing and mindfulness programmes
- Health advocacy — attending appointments, navigating services
- Connections to specialist services for trauma, domestic abuse, and complex needs
Who this is for
People who have struggled to access healthcare, those with mental health challenges, or anyone whose physical or emotional health is affecting their ability to move forward.
No one should go hungry.
Food insecurity is a reality for many of the people we work with — particularly in the first weeks after release from prison, when benefits can take time to come through and money is tight. We provide immediate food support and connect people with longer-term solutions, because you can't focus on your future when you're worried about your next meal.
We run a weekly drop-in session where hot meals are available alongside other support services. We also provide emergency food parcels and work with a network of food banks and community kitchens across Greater Manchester.
What we offer
- Emergency food parcels — available same day in a crisis
- Hot meals at our weekly drop-in sessions
- Food bank referrals across Greater Manchester
- Cooking skills and nutrition workshops
- Connections to community kitchens and surplus food schemes
- Benefits and budgeting advice to address the root causes of food insecurity
Who this is for
Anyone experiencing food insecurity, regardless of their circumstances. No referral needed — just come to our drop-in.
Not sure where to start?
Get in touch and we'll help you figure out which services are right for you. You can also make a referral on behalf of someone else. There's no wrong door here.