Spark Inside Wins Zurich’s Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024
12/10/2024
At Zurich, we value diversity and inclusion as key parts of a thriving community. Along with the Z Zurich Foundation, we are excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Awards. These awards honour projects that promote inclusion and celebrate diversity within our communities. This year’s overall winner is ‘Spark Inside’, recognised for their innovative programme, The Black Hero’s Journey (BHJ).
About the Awards
The Zurich D&I Awards aim to highlight and reward initiatives that have a big impact on promoting inclusivity and creating value within communities. Our judging criteria focus on innovation, impact, ease of implementation and scalability, sustainability, and value creation.
This year, we received over 300 entries from various organisations, each showcasing incredible efforts to foster diversity and inclusion. The competition was tough, and we are proud to see such dedication to these vital causes.
The Winning Organisation: Spark Inside
We are thrilled to recognise ‘Spark Inside’ for their outstanding programme, The Black Hero’s Journey (BHJ). This innovative programme supports young Black and Mixed Heritage men in prison, providing a safe and empowering space for them to express themselves and reclaim their identities.
The Black Hero’s Journey (BHJ)
The Black Hero’s Journey (BHJ) is designed specifically for young Black and Mixed Heritage men with lived experiences. It includes four in-prison workshops followed by one-to-one life coaching, continuing both in custody and after release. The workshops are run by qualified life coaches who share the same ethnicity as the participants, ensuring a supportive environment.
The programme emphasises Black joy, making it uplifting and empowering. It helps young Black men in prison challenge stereotypes, build a sense of community, and feel valued and supported.
Impact and Success
The programme has shown great success. In its first ten years, it reached 1,000 young men, with about 58% being Black or of Black mixed heritage. Participants reported increased understanding of their identity, recognition of their worth, and development of emotional resilience and a sense of purpose.
The programme has led to positive changes in the criminal justice system, making rehabilitation more achievable. Evaluations showed that 84% of participants made progress in their hopes and dreams, 89% in education and work, and 90% in their choices and behaviours.
Scaling Up and Future Plans
Spark Inside is expanding the BHJ programme, having delivered twelve programmes in four prisons. There is high demand for the programme, with waiting lists in the prisons they operate in. In the future, they plan to offer the programme to other organisations, reaching more young Black men outside of the prison system.
They also plan to expand the programme to community settings, offering support before young men offend. Elements of the programme could also be tailored to other areas, such as mental health services.
Endorsements and Testimonials
The Black Hero’s Journey has received praise from participants, coaches, and prison authorities. Participants have shared how the programme has positively impacted their identity, resilience, and overall well-being. Coaches have highlighted the importance of authentic relationships and safe spaces in fostering personal growth and rehabilitation.
The Governor of HMPYOI Isis said, “We have seen brilliant engagement from young people for the programme. We have also seen positive changes in their attitudes and behaviours after participation. I would like to see this programme rolled out to many more young Black men in prisons and YOIs."
Comments from the Judging Panel
The judging panel was very impressed by The Black Hero’s Journey. Mark Heasman said, “Tackling one of the hardest topics a charity can take on: breaking the cycle and rehabilitating prisoners. Doing that with role models they can relate to breaks down this notion of ‘charity’ and positions this more in the peers-helping-peers space. And they are one of the most at-risk groups when it comes to Mental Health. The approach, including language used, I think makes Black Heroes Journey incredibly innovative.”
Judge Ruth Adamson highlighted the programme’s focus on Black joy and empowerment, stating, “An amazing program working at the crux of the issue to bring about a transformational depth of impact and systems level change. The value of building a person’s self-worth so they can reach their potential cannot be understated.”
The Black Hero’s Journey by Spark Inside is a beacon of hope and transformation for young Black men in the criminal justice system. By creating environments where Black joy can flourish, Spark Inside is building a future where everyone is seen, heard, and valued. The Zurich Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024 celebrate this outstanding achievement, highlighting the power of innovative and inclusive initiatives to create lasting positive change.
Find out more about Spark Inside
For more information about Spark Inside and The Black Hero’s Journey, visit their website, explore their impact report, and connect with them on LinkedIn.
Find out more about the runners up
We also want to highlight the incredible work of our runners up:
- 2nd Place - The Birth Partner Project: This project offers vital support to vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers, ensuring they have a trusted companion during childbirth and the early stages of motherhood. Read more about The Birth Partner Project.
- 3rd Place - YOPEY Befrienders: This initiative connects young people with elderly residents in care homes, fostering intergenerational friendships and reducing loneliness for both parties. Read more about YOPEY Befrienders.
