Ex-offender case study - Andrew

“In May 2006, I lost my business and became homeless.  I ended up living in a hostel and sat there with no hope, just thinking things couldn’t get any worse. I was deeply affected by a death in the family which led to me drinking heavily.  Struggling with debt and fuelled by alcohol I robbed a newsagent’s till for £80. At the time I did not think about the consequences - I thought the world was against me as I had helped many people in my life but when I was going through a hard time no-one was willing to help.  A couple of months later I was caught and sentenced to five years.

When I was first sentenced I lost hope. I thought my life was over – I’ve got a criminal record.  However, after a while I pulled myself together and decided to study and started by doing some basic courses and studied hard for NVQs level 2 and 3 in IT.

Even though I convinced myself I was going to work hard and change my life in a positive way, I still used to have moments of doubt as I did not have a home to come out to and would have to go into a hostel again.  This was my worst nightmare as the hostel I was in at the time of my offence was so bad I tried to kill myself by drinking bleach.

At this point Richard from St Giles Trust entered my life and little was I to know that this person would be the answer to all my problems. I began to study for an NVQ3 in Information, Advice and Guidance. As I got to know Richard I realised he was passionate about the work he did and actually wanted to help, not just stereotype you and knock you down so you feel worthless.

I had started work with Richard on my NVQ Level 3 and at the same time I was doing my Assessors Award. I got transferred to a D category prison and started working as a Peer Advisor and from time to time, Richard would come and observe me and see if things were working OK.

I was the only Peer Advisor in the whole prison. I advertised my service and with Richard’s help started to get it up and running. I worked with all the agencies within the prison i.e. Shelter, Job Centre, drugs workers and they really liked what I did. I used to help people with housing problems, benefits and when I used to go back to my wing in the evening I would have a group of people waiting for me wanting help.  Even though I was really busy, I still enjoyed what I did as I knew what it was like being isolated inside with no help and it felt good to know I was helping people and making a difference. I remember at one point writing letters to creditors on behalf of prisoners who were having their houses repossessed. I was glad that we had a lot of training in our NVQ as I would have been lost without it. It was only when I was in my job role when I got queries from all sorts of people regarding different things that I realised the importance in being competent in what you do and having the relevant knowledge.

Even though I was helping others, I still had my own problems as I still didn’t have a home to come out to and I had registered with a local authority but got fed up of chasing them. I told Richard what situation I was in and he told me not to worry and that he would do everything he could to help. Richard was trying to help me into employment and got me a job interview with a housing association.  I was offered a three month placement leading to a full time paid job if I was successful.  I was over the moon!  However, Richard mentioned to them about my housing problem and they sorted me out with somewhere. Now that I’m in full time paid work I’ve moved out into my own place.

Had I not put in the application form to do my IAG work, had I not met Richard or got my Cat C I would have been sat in some hostel or street and lost hope. Richard still rings me up to check how things are going.  I continue to stay in touch with him to this day as he did not know me from Adam but went out of his way to help me. I will always have time for him and be grateful for the help and support given to me.