In this episode, we sit down with Natasha Brookner, the Head of Operations at The Twinning Project. Natasha shares the incredible work being done to rehabilitate prisoners through football-based programs, improving their mental and physical health, and providing them with qualifications that can lead to employment after their release.
Discover how The Twinning Project is making a real impact by partnering with professional football clubs to give prisoners a second chance at life.
Get involved with The Twinning Project at https://www.twinningproject.org/
Stephanie:
Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of Nonprofit Therapy!
Today, we have with us Natasha Brookner from the Twinning Project.
Thank you so much for being here.
Natasha:
No problem! Thank you for having me.
Stephanie:
We’re excited to have you.
Today we’re diving into how football is being used as a catalyst for change.
So let’s kick things off—Natasha, tell us a little about yourself. Who are you?
Natasha:
I’ve worked in the nonprofit space for about 15 years, mostly for children’s charities.
So moving into prison rehabilitation was a big shift.
But once you’re in this sector, you know it takes a certain kind of person—someone with empathy and a passion for change.
Once you have that, you want to make a real difference.
Stephanie:
So amazing. Tell us about the Twinning Project. What exactly do you do?
Natasha:
The Twinning Project was founded by David Dein.
It’s a partnership between the prison and probation service and professional football clubs across England and Wales.
The goal is to “twin” every prison with a local football club.
Each club’s charitable foundation delivers a bespoke football coaching course, written by the FA specifically for us, inside the prisons.
It’s aimed at inmates with 18–24 months left on their sentence—a pivotal moment when many are starting to think seriously about life after release.
Stephanie:
So it’s education plus football?
Natasha:
Exactly. It’s not just physical activity on a pitch—it’s guided learning too.
The course includes classroom elements and journaling.
There are 35 learning hours, 14 of which are academic.
Loughborough and Oxford Universities are even studying its effects, especially on mental wellbeing and behaviour.
Stephanie:
Wow. So it’s more than football—it’s future-focused.
Natasha:
Absolutely. When participants finish the course, they can continue online training and explore employment pathways.
We’ve had graduates hired at football clubs, even in finance departments.
It builds community, confidence, and opportunity.
Stephanie:
I love that. It’s creating real, lasting change.
Natasha:
It really is. We even have an alumni network where graduates support each other post-release.
It’s beautiful to see.
Stephanie:
And you’ve expanded internationally too, right?
Natasha:
Yes—we’ve launched programs in the U.S., Italy, South Africa, and Australia.
And we’re hoping to continue growing—Brazil and Argentina might be next.
Stephanie:
Incredible. So, where do you see the Twinning Project five years from now?
Natasha:
Sustainable and scaled.
We want to be rooted in England and Wales but expanded globally—especially across the U.S. and Latin America.
The potential is huge, and the foundations are there.
Stephanie:
Let’s shift gears for a second—this podcast is called Nonprofit Therapy because the sector isn’t always easy.
What are some challenges you’ve faced or tips you’d share?
Natasha:
Funding is always the biggest challenge—especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
It’s hard to compete with charities for children or medical causes.
We focus on corporate sponsors, grants, and foundations.
But we believe—strongly—that everyone deserves a second chance.
Stephanie:
Exactly. And you’re filling a gap that many shy away from.
Natasha:
Yes. Prison is punishment, but without rehabilitation, the cycle continues.
We have to break that.
Stephanie:
How do you raise awareness for your work?
Natasha:
Grants, fundraising events, and social media.
And actually—Vee has been a game changer for us.
Stephanie:
We’re so happy to hear that! How has Vee helped?
Natasha:
We’re a team of just four. We needed a social media intern—then found Vee on LinkedIn.
I believe we were your first nonprofit in England! đŸ˜„
Vee unified our look, helped us post consistently, and saved us so much time.
Now with your new dashboard, it’s even easier to make tweaks and get content up. It’s been superb.
Stephanie:
That’s music to my ears. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Natasha:
We’re grateful. Vee makes us look like a bigger organization than we are.
Stephanie:
Last question—how can people get involved with the Twinning Project?
Natasha:
Visit twinningproject.org.
We don’t place volunteers inside prisons, but we do need help at fundraising events.
Reach out—my contact is on the website.
If you want to donate, learn more, or support in any way, we’d love to hear from you.
Stephanie:
Amazing. Natasha, thank you so much for your time, your work, and your heart.
Wishing you and the Twinning Project continued growth and impact.
Natasha:
Thank you so much for having me!
