Case Study Helping others to reduce risk of re-offending
“ Sara really enjoys helping other women, her positivity has increased and she has reduced her risk of re-offending
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Sara was twenty six and had recently served a custodial sentence when she was referred to new futures at a women’s centre. She was keen to fill her spare time positively and to keep busy as she didn’t want to relapse into drug misuse. Sara had young children but they had been taken into care due to her offending history, misuse of drugs and chaotic lifestyle. This was making Sara feel very low, so her new futures case manager supported and encouraged her to ring her GP to discuss and review her current medication. This helped her to address her depression, avoiding self medication. Sara wanted to get her children back and was trying to positively move forwards by gaining qualifications to help her become more employable. She had recently gained IT qualifications and, encouraged by this success, wanted to carry on with her development. Sara and her new futures case manager discussed the different courses available at the centre and she decided that ultimately, she would like to become a Peer Mentor. With the support of new futures, Sara completed Literacy and Numeracy Level 1, along with her Literacy Level 2 Reading and Writing. To pass Level 2, Sara needed to develop a presentation so she decided to create it around the support she received from the women’s centre to inspire and motivate her peers. Furthermore, she attended a new futures funded Family Relationships course which gave her valuable insight into the causes of family conflict and how to resolve issues. Sara was an excellent course member and supported another learner who had not attended groups before. Feedback from her tutor stated that “Sara will make an excellent peer mentor – she has contacted another learner each Friday and reminded her to come to the session. I think having Sara there has really helped the other women in terms of motivation and self belief.” Sara is currently working towards a Level 3 award in Peer Mentoring and will be offered the chance to support other clients at the women’s centre. She really enjoys helping other women and feels much more positive about her future which, in turn, reduces the likelihood of her re-offending. Sara has had to work hard towards her goal of getting her children back and she has not found the journey easy, struggling with relapse and other personal issues. new futures have encouraged her along the way and as a result, her confidence has grown enormously. She is now in a stable relationship, expecting another baby and is well and happy. At a recent open day event at the centre she confidently addressed the audience, telling them the story of her progression from crime to settled family life and paying tribute to the support she has received on her journey.