Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
The Hopwood Foundation announces the UK’s first Heritage skills training programme at HM Prison Thorn Cross. This innovative and groundbreaking initiative is giving prisoners the chance to learn specialist heritage craft skills at a time when the UK faces a significant shortage in heritage construction workers. General construction skills will also be part of the programme and it is already transforming lives, with participants describing it as a rare opportunity to build an inspired future they can feel proud of.
READ ARTICLE HERE: rochdaletimes.co.uk/skills-used-to-repair-hopwood-hall-are-helping-rehabilitate-prisoners
Designed as a win–win; the training is helping to retain essential skills to ensure that the UK’s traditional (pre-1919) buildings have a sustainable future, and are adaptable for new uses and also climate change, whilst creating real pathways to employment, purpose, and stability for prisoners rebuilding their lives. Stable employment is key to breaking the cycle of reoffending, cutting crime and keeping the public safe.
A Shortage of Skills — and a Shortage of Opportunity
The UK is experiencing a steep decline in specialist heritage skills — from stonemasonry and lime plastering to traditional carpentry and roofing. These trades are essential to maintain the country’s millions of traditional buildings yet the number of qualified craftspeople continues to shrink. Many workers are nearing retirement age, and younger entrants remain scarce.
Research commissioned by Historic England in 2024 estimates that traditional building skills account for nearly £16 billion of the total construction industry output per year, with a core workforce of c.101,000 required to fulfil demand. Additionally, the research found that more than 40% of contractors working on pre-1919 buildings reported that it had become more difficult to recruit over the last three years due to skills shortages.
At the same time, many people in prison want to turn their lives around, but lack access to training that leads to meaningful, well-paid employment. With high demand for services and a shortage of skills, heritage construction offers the potential of a good income, job security, and work satisfaction.
Giving Prisoners a Chance to Build a New Future
Prisoners involved in this pioneering programme have said they’ve never had the opportunity to work with historic buildings before — this programme is broadening their potential and opening doors to a fresh start.
It is widely recognised that the way to successfully reduce offending is to provide access to skills, education and employment, and enable people to reintegrate into society - rehabilitation rather than just imprisonment.
The skills they are learning not only equip them for employment, but also give them a connection to history, craftsmanship, and pride in work.
Next Steps: Rolling out the programme
The Hopwood Foundation is in discussions with sponsors and funders to further develop the programme, as well as employers seeking skilled recruits, and other prisons interested in participating in the programme. The long-term aim is to roll out the programme nationwide.
Formal evaluation of the pilot will measure skills learned, confidence gained, and employment potential — all essential for shaping the national roll-out.
A Programme With Impact
This is more than a training initiative.It is a life-changing opportunity for prisoners.It is a critical investment in safeguarding heritage construction skills.And it is a model for how social purpose and national need can meet in a meaningful, sustainable way.
The Hopwood Foundation believes that everyone deserves the chance to build a better future — and that sometimes the tools for that future are held in our history.
The Hopwood Foundation
The Hopwood Foundation for Heritage, Arts, Education & Inspiration (Registered charity 1192774) was initially set up to restore the C15 Grade II* Hopwood Hall, near Middleton, Greater Manchester. However, in late 2024, Rochdale Council unexpectedly shut down the Foundation’s widely-supported community programme. The Foundation continues to develop and expand its heritage outreach opportunities to further the charitable aims of the organization and work with disadvantaged groups. The Foundation remains fully committed to the restoration of Hopwood Hall and will resume its activities at the Hall in due course. The Trustees of the Hopwood Foundation are: Lady Xa Tollemache; Charles Greenall; Des Styles; David Holland and Hopwood DePree.
SPECIAL THANKS:
Jay Froberg
The DePree Family
Josh Weinstein
Demie Zeringue
Michael A Hopwood
Greg Hopwood
Todd McCain
Sherri A Roemer
Ken & Patti Bing
Michael Troughton
Michael J Myshka
The Hopwood Foundation announces the UK’s first Heritage skills training programme at HM Prison Thorn Cross. This innovative and groundbreaking initiative is giving prisoners the chance to learn specialist heritage craft skills at a time when the UK faces a significant shortage in heritage construction workers. General construction skills will also be part of the programme and it is already transforming lives, with participants describing it as a rare opportunity to build an inspired future they can feel proud of.
READ ARTICLE HERE: rochdaletimes.co.uk/skills-used-to-repair-hopwood-hall-are-helping-rehabilitate-prisoners
Designed as a win–win; the training is helping to retain essential skills to ensure that the UK’s traditional (pre-1919) buildings have a sustainable future, and are adaptable for new uses and also climate change, whilst creating real pathways to employment, purpose, and stability for prisoners rebuilding their lives. Stable employment is key to breaking the cycle of reoffending, cutting crime and keeping the public safe.
A Shortage of Skills — and a Shortage of Opportunity
The UK is experiencing a steep decline in specialist heritage skills — from stonemasonry and lime plastering to traditional carpentry and roofing. These trades are essential to maintain the country’s millions of traditional buildings yet the number of qualified craftspeople continues to shrink. Many workers are nearing retirement age, and younger entrants remain scarce.
Research commissioned by Historic England in 2024 estimates that traditional building skills account for nearly £16 billion of the total construction industry output per year, with a core workforce of c.101,000 required to fulfil demand. Additionally, the research found that more than 40% of contractors working on pre-1919 buildings reported that it had become more difficult to recruit over the last three years due to skills shortages.
At the same time, many people in prison want to turn their lives around, but lack access to training that leads to meaningful, well-paid employment. With high demand for services and a shortage of skills, heritage construction offers the potential of a good income, job security, and work satisfaction.
Giving Prisoners a Chance to Build a New Future
Prisoners involved in this pioneering programme have said they’ve never had the opportunity to work with historic buildings before — this programme is broadening their potential and opening doors to a fresh start.
It is widely recognised that the way to successfully reduce offending is to provide access to skills, education and employment, and enable people to reintegrate into society - rehabilitation rather than just imprisonment.
The skills they are learning not only equip them for employment, but also give them a connection to history, craftsmanship, and pride in work.
Next Steps: Rolling out the programme
The Hopwood Foundation is in discussions with sponsors and funders to further develop the programme, as well as employers seeking skilled recruits, and other prisons interested in participating in the programme. The long-term aim is to roll out the programme nationwide.
Formal evaluation of the pilot will measure skills learned, confidence gained, and employment potential — all essential for shaping the national roll-out.
A Programme With Impact
This is more than a training initiative.It is a life-changing opportunity for prisoners.It is a critical investment in safeguarding heritage construction skills.And it is a model for how social purpose and national need can meet in a meaningful, sustainable way.
The Hopwood Foundation believes that everyone deserves the chance to build a better future — and that sometimes the tools for that future are held in our history.
The Hopwood Foundation
The Hopwood Foundation for Heritage, Arts, Education & Inspiration (Registered charity 1192774) was initially set up to restore the C15 Grade II* Hopwood Hall, near Middleton, Greater Manchester. However, in late 2024, Rochdale Council unexpectedly shut down the Foundation’s widely-supported community programme. The Foundation continues to develop and expand its heritage outreach opportunities to further the charitable aims of the organization and work with disadvantaged groups. The Foundation remains fully committed to the restoration of Hopwood Hall and will resume its activities at the Hall in due course. The Trustees of the Hopwood Foundation are: Lady Xa Tollemache; Charles Greenall; Des Styles; David Holland and Hopwood DePree.
SPECIAL THANKS:
Jay Froberg
The DePree Family
Josh Weinstein
Demie Zeringue
Michael A Hopwood
Greg Hopwood
Todd McCain
Sherri A Roemer
Ken & Patti Bing
Michael Troughton
Michael J Myshka
