Diagrama Foundation is delighted to announce the publication of 'A Chance for Change’  - which is the 5th book in our Monument Fellowship Series. It explores the important topic of what a fairer justice system could mean for children and young people through a collection of thought-provoking essays and creative reflections.

Published in conjunction with the Monument Fellowship, this book opens important dialogue about much needed changes to youth justice in the UK. It is a collaboration of work with a foreword from John Bird, Baron Bird MBE, founder of The Big Issue and member of the House of Lords. John Bird, Baron Bird MBE has empathy and understanding for the content of the book because of his experiences in the system from the age of 10.

He says, “The work of Diagrama Foundation excites me, because it tries to build that tranquillity around young people; so that they can begin to be transformed by the work done around them, and which they also do on themselves.”

Having visited the Fundacion Diagrama juvenile centres in Spain with our CEO David McGuire, Lord Bird was moved to write about his visit in the Big Issue (dated 27 May-02 June), “What attracted me was the success rate in reforming young people. Some 80% returned to society using methods that would appal Westminster: here we are lucky if we get 30%. I could recognise some of the methods used in Spain – purposeful activity and involvement in schooling and work – from my own young offending days.”

The work of Diagrama offers successful blueprint for alternative juvenile detention in Spain, which has flipped youth recidivism rates there.

David McGuire says: “Our Monument Fellowship book is aimed at anyone who works with, or supports, children and young people in the justice system and anybody who makes or influences policy and practice in this area. We wanted ‘A Chance for Change’ to explain the impact that their work has on children and young people and inform them about emerging practices and new ideas. We are delighted that John Bird, Baron Bird MBE agreed to write the foreword and we hope the compelling submissions encourage discussion to bring about positive and lasting change to deliver fair justice for children and young people.”

Click here to order your copy of ‘A Chance for Change’.