Natalie’s Story
It has helped so much with my confidence and knowledge. Thank you for never giving up on me.
Natalie later became involved in using and selling drugs alongside older boys and eventually received a custodial sentence.
By this point, she had become a mother herself, with one son adopted and another living with foster carers.
While in prison, Natalie continued using substances until she reached a turning point and realised she wanted something different for herself and for her children.
With support from recovery services, Natalie stopped using substances and began rebuilding her confidence.
She later became a peer worker but still doubted her ability to support others.
In spring 2023, Natalie enrolled onto St Giles’ Level 3 Advice and Guidance programme.
During this time, she experienced further personal challenges and stepped away from both the programme and her peer worker role.
Like many people rebuilding after difficult experiences, Natalie’s journey was not straightforward. Through regular check-ins and encouragement, the St Giles trainer stayed connected and made sure support was there when Natalie was ready to return.
With tailored support, including one-to-one adaptations for her dyslexia, Natalie achieved her Level 3 qualification and later chose to continue onto Level 4.
She also became a Learning Support Peer Worker, using her own lived experience to support others struggling with confidence and self-belief.
In summer 2025, Natalie was unexpectedly transferred to another prison just weeks before completing her Level 4 Diploma.
To help her continue, the St Giles trainer travelled to the new prison so she could complete her studies.
Today, Natalie is studying drug and alcohol counselling through distance learning.
She has also been allowed letter contact with her children and says she is determined to become someone they can feel proud of.
Supporters cannot change the past, but they can help create opportunities for people like Natalie to shape what comes next.
Natalie’s determination, combined with support that continued to show up, helped make progress possible.
Can you help make this time next summer look very different for others like Natalie who are still trying to believe something different is possible?
No one should have to go through what Natalie did. But when support is there at the right time, people can begin rebuilding confidence, creating opportunities and shaping futures that look different from the past.
Supporters help make that possible, not only helping people move forward themselves, but creating the conditions for them to encourage and support others in the future too.
Be there this summer, so someone can look forward to the next one.