John Burton

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Lifestyle chats to Liverpool based John Burton, founder of Inside Connections, which has offices in Liverpool, the West Midlands and London

“WE ARE DEFINED BY WHO WE ARE TODAY AND NOT WHO WE ONCE WERE”

Inside Connections was formed in 2017 to provide services and support to businesses and education facilities, offering access to training leading to sustainable employment. As an ex criminal John turned his life around and helps others do the same. Since then they’ve helped thousands of people, with over 100 employers engaged. He says, “I was raised on a Liverpool council estate in the 1970s. The streets were riddled with drugs and crime in a deprived Britain at the time, particularly the north. We never had much growing up. The ones who had the nice clothes, watches and cars rom the area weren’t coming out of a good education in a well-earned job, that was unheard of. It was the drug dealers and criminals. In the environment I get up in there was only two choices. Educations wasn’t really an option, it was selling drugs and making money or take drugs and lose everything. Heroin was rife, I didn’t want that for me so I got into criminality at a young age, heroin being one of the things I wouldn’t sell. In 2017 I was released from prison after serving a second prison sentence for 6 out of 12 years for money laundering and the transportation of cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines worth millions, around the UK. The last part of my sentence I served 19 months as a category D prisoner in the Isle of Sheppey, which was a 540 mile round trip for a one hour visit for my family. Witnessing my young family struggle because of something I had done was a major factor for my rehabilitation and resettlement and I needed to do something about it. I set up a website and mobile app aimed at prisoners, their families, victims of

crime, communities, key services and support partnerships to prevent offending and reoffending. Secondly I set up a Community Interest Company and trust fund aimed at offering supported care services for the most vulnerable in society. For example those exiting the prison system, care home or military systems and young offenders. To say that I am passionate about reform and rehabilitation is an understatement. I witnessed first hand the changes within the UK prison system; prisoners, prison officers and staff struggling under the weight of an ageing and antiquated criminal justice system. But also the families and victims struggling on the outside.My aim is to support the 45% of 16-18 year olds released from the care home system and who immediately go onto commit crimes and end up in prison. Prevention is better than cure. I designed the Inside Connections app to be totally outward looking, open minded and with a global reach. I put families and communities back at the heart of reform and rehabilitation through carefully considered -and delivered- support care programmes and housing, education, training and job opportunities. I believe that we need to support these individuals who want to grasp another chance at life. If I can change my life and help others for the better, by guiding the most vulnerable along a path that leads away fro crime, then that must be a good thing.”

For more information go to insideconnections.co.uk or call 0800 680 1676

ENTERTAINMENT Lifestyle columnist and Liverpool Live Radio presenter CLAUDINE HOPE

Hi lovely readers It’s been an emotional roller coaster for me since last month. My partner’s father died very recently and it has been incredibly hard and upsetting for the family. I try to give as much support as I can during this time and feel extremely fortunate to have known Steve Thomas. He was 74 years old, a well respected man who was Staff Sergeant in the TA 234 squadron RCT. My love and thoughts go to Bett, Stephen, Allison and Pippa. Back at Liverpool Live Radio I have been busy with Roy Basnett talking showbiz gossip and telling the listeners about the upcoming castings and auditions to get onto television. I was thrilled to tell everyonethe news of a very kooky family that is coming to the Empire Theatre this month! Yes, you guessed it, the smash hit Broadway musical comedy “The Addams Family” will be moving into Liverpool for five

days! I caught up with musical theatre and television actress Kara Lane ,who plays the part of Alice Beineke in the show. Australian born Kara told me that her character in the show and her son Lucas Beineke played by Ahmed Hamad are a normal respectable family unlike the Addams. Wednesday Addams falls in love with her son Lucas, an overly sweet and normal boy. But things become crazy when the two families meet for a fateful dinner with hilarious consequences? Kara told me the show’s sets are extravagant with amazing costumes and slick choreographed routines. Andrew Lippa’s musical comedy is based on a book by Jersey Boys creators Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The Addams Family is a must see show and tickets are available now through the Liverpool Empire Theatre website. The musical runs from 8th until the 12th March. Look out for me in next month’s Lifestyle Magazine where I will be interviewing some more celebs. Catch me on the Liverpool Live Radio. www.liverpoolliveradio.com Instagram: claudine_hope_ See you next year Babes!

Claudine xx