Harry's story

"I first offended at age eight. I’m 41 and I’ve served more prison sentences than I can remember. I was in and out of prison for 30 years.

I never achieved anything in prison. There was no way I was going to work in boring workshops, making my time inside twice as long! I vegetated in my cell, not doing much except for getting into trouble and going to the gym.

Then a woman from St Giles Trust came to the prison. She wanted to train prisoners to help other prisoners with housing problems as Peer Advisors. I didn’t think it was for me. I wasn’t interested in helping others. The qualification was the NVQ3 in Advice and Guidance. It’s equal to 2 A-Levels. I didn’t have a CSE never mind an A-Level. But she convinced me. She promised to support me – make sure I passed. She asked if I really wanted to be bored. Wouldn’t I rather be doing something to help me get a job? That swung it for me. I’d never had a real job. As a child I was in and out of prison. No exams, no prospects. Nobody wanted to employ somebody with my record. I’d had enough. I was fed up with no security, no money, no future. I wanted a fresh start.

The NVQ3 gave me something to focus on. It was sometimes very difficult. There were times I wanted to give up, but my tutor wouldn't let me fail and most importantly, believed in me. My tutor realised that sometimes I needed things explained repeatedly and that my confidence was low. As I progressed I became confident. I started to believe in myself. I saw I could help other people. I had finally found something meaningful, which was enjoyable and kept me out of trouble.

On release, my tutor arranged a supported housing course for me. As part of that course I did a work placement in a hostel. Wow, what an eye opener, working in a 98 man hostel!

After proving I had the right approach to work, getting up every morning to work at the hostel I heard about St Giles Trust’s Straight to Work project, where ex Peer Advisors have the chance of paid work. I applied for the post of Outreach Advisor. I was short listed and interviewed just like any other job and I was successful.

Straight to Work gave me support and at last some money! My job was meeting people leaving prison and liaising with statutory and voluntary organisations on their behalf. I loved the work, but it was short term as the point of the project is to help people like me get the experience they need to find permanent jobs. All the time I was seeking employment. In December 2006 St Giles Trust’s Employment Adviser helped me to apply for a post as a Housing Support Worker, which I got.

I didn't notice the change while it was happening. It’s only through looking back that I realise how far I have come. Had I not done the NVQ3 in prison I would probably still be offending because I didn’t know what else to do.”