Case Study new futures- Belief in Change – Positively Influencing Others Even with a long gap in his work history and unspent convictions, as long as you are prepared to work hard and put the effort in, people will give you a chance and you can turn your life around for good.
Steve had experienced a disrupted childhood with poor family relationships. To find stability and acceptance he became involved with gangs and crime from a young age, which eventually resulted in a 10 year custodial sentence for robbery and drugs. Prior to the end of his sentence in 2002, Steve went to a Drug Treatment Community in the prison to try to challenge his negative perspective on the world and his attitude towards crime and addiction. He found this to be very effective but unfortunately, it was only temporary. When he was released, he had no resettlement plan and quickly fell back into gang culture. Stuck in a vicious cycle, he received two further custodial sentences. In 2012, and back in custody, Steve applied to start the Belief in Change programme as he wanted time to think about his life and his future options and felt he could use his past mistakes to help educate others and encourage them to keep away from a life of crime. Focus groups were an important part of the Belief in Change programme as they helped participants to share their experiences and develop some self-perspective. Members of the public also volunteered to come in to answer questions about their experience of having a family member or friend in prison. Inspired by these sessions, Steve and his Belief in Change case manager devised a new course of 9 sessions, called ‘Bursting the Bubble’, which is currently being considered by a local college for funding. Steve worked on all the material required with his case manager and due to his passion, was offered the opportunity to do an NVQ at level 3 in Facilitating Learning in Groups. Steve and his Belief in Change case manager also worked together to develop and organise a day workshop on Family Relationships, inviting professionals such as social workers and probation staff in to talk about the work they do. Steve finds working hard very rewarding and gets great satisfaction in being able to have a positive influence on others. He has also enjoyed the structure that working and studying has given to his life. Due to his increased confidence, he has begun an Open University degree In Social Sciences. Steve has completed Peer Mentoring training with new futures which has enabled him to become a Peer Mentor in the education department, supporting other prisoners with their own learning and helping out in all areas including with resettlement days. Steve has recently approached new futures as he wants support to start an Assessors Award in the hope that he may be able to cofacilitate Peer Mentoring Level 3 if it is developed in the prison. Steve has really turned his life and attitudes around. With a renewed sense of pride and self-worth, he is using his time in custody positively, to help transform the lives of others for the better. His ambition is to find a career which will allow him to draw on all the experiences, skills and qualifications he has gained.