OS participants have faced challenging, adverse childhood experiences and significant social and economic disadvantages. Over 60% have been in care and most have been exposed to violence, neglect, abuse, gang pressure and exclusion. Poor skills, low self-worth, mental health issues, lack of support and opportunity drives them to being exploited, unable to find employment or to envisage a stable and progressive future leading many to get caught up in or be at risk of committing offences.

One Spirit uses the arts as a tool to improve confidence, self-esteem, mental health, engagement with learning and reduce re-offending offering an alternative curriculum of creative arts and entrepreneurial activities to those in 3 custody settings, on release in the community or at risk in PRUs, delivered through weekly group and 1:1 mentoring and support. Recent winner of the 'Outstanding Musical Initiative Award', OS's success is reflected in its 15 year consistent non-reoffending rate of over 85%.