

Inside Connections CIC
Empowering individuals to change their lives
Mission: Creating Opportunities that Result in Progression
We provide wrap around services and support, access to training leading to sustainable employment as a way to empower individuals to change their lives.
Making a positive impact on families and communities – creating pathways of development and opportunity - away from offending towards purposeful employment and lives.
We work with individuals to
-
Break barriers to progression
-
Inspire belief and confidence for change
-
Create opportunities for sustainable change
Our Services
-
In prison, probation and community: Employer open days, events and training courses
-
Youth programmes and apprenticeships
-
Employer Academies and programmes
-
Mentoring and support
-
Positive and practical learning environments


Corbett Network, Founder Award 2021
“The founder award is to recognise the vision and positive impact of founding members of charities, social enterprises, CIC’s, non-profit organisations with a social mission to work with those in prison and after release. John Burton and his son Ben Burton, founded Inside Connections CIC and 2017 to reduce re-offending by helping people with convictions find and keep a job. John, Ben and the team at Inside Connections provide wrap around services and support, access to training leading to sustainable employment as a way to empower individuals to change their lives.”
The Positive Awards, Community Award 2022
“The Positive Awards are for everyone who have made a positive impact in their life. We celebrate people who have excelled in their businesses against all odds, people who are admired in the community and making a difference. We recognise John Burton and Inside Connections for the amazing support and work they do across Liverpool City Region.”


Corbett Network, Annual Award, 2022
The winner of 2022 prestigious Robin Corbett Award (RCA) is leading prisoner reintegration charity, Inside Connections.
The RCA judging panel were impressed by the practical way Inside Connections supports returning citizens from the Gate into employment with help, training and support. Judges include the Director of the Prison Reform Trust, a retired High Court Judge and President of the Prison Governors Association.
Lady Val Corbett, Founder of the Robin Corbett Award for Prisoner Reintegration, says: “ It is a true life story that, with his background, John has turned his life around to help others, knowing the problems released prisoners have reiterating back into society. In this year alone, 182 people on their programme have achieved industry qualifications (with a 98% success rate) and 145 people have got permanent jobs.
“Inside Connections, formed in 2017, empowers individuals to change their lives just as John did and they are a worthy winner on many levels.”
Digital Infrastructure BeFibre, Community Award 2022
“In recognition of Digital Infrastructure – BeFibre collaboration with Inside Connections CIC to develop the Centre of Excellence Training centre for Telecoms, Civils and Construction. The Training Centre represents Digital Infrastructure and Be Fibre commitment to development of their teams and the wider community to provide employment opportunities from a different talent pool.”
To show appreciation for John and the team’s commitment to supporting people into work.”











What Andy Steele had to say about us...
Last week we had the pleasure to have a guest speaker Andy Steele from @laingorourke who spoke about his military background going from a labourer role to a construction manager at Laing O’ Rourke as a result of their excellent training and Andy’s personal commitment.
The Learning Foundry awarded £3.3 million...
We are delighted to have been listed as a delivery partner with The Learning Foundry for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority AEB funding for the next 5 years!!
