Experiences

Advice

  • Abby

    This case study illustrates how administration failures by government agencies can impact on resettlement.

  • Joe

    This case study highlights the continuing support needed by individuals as they make the transition from prison to the community.

APAC

  • Marty

    Marty was a young person growing up in a tightly-knit community in West Belfast in the 70s and 80s.

Caps

  • Jane, aged 11

    Jane’s father left the family when she was 10 years old, leaving Jane with her mother Maeve and two year old brother Peter. The separation of her parents had a huge effect on Jane and she became verbally and physically aggressive towards her mother and Peter. 

  • Oliver, aged 10

    When referred to Caps, Oliver was living at home with his mother Anne and three siblings.  His father is deceased.  All the children were known to social services and the PSNI and all had spent some time in care.  There were high levels of sibling rivalry and evidence all the children were physically and verbally abusive to each other and their mother. 

  • Shane, aged 12

    Shane lives with his aunt and one brother. Another older sister does not live at home. Shane’s father is in prison and his mother is deceased. 

Family Links

  • Margaret

    Margaret Smith will never forget the day she went to court with her husband John. They did not expect that he would be found guilty of his first offence nor that he would be sent to prison for two years. They had not toldf their children aged 3, 10 and 13, where they were going.

  • Sam

    When Sam’s parents were arrested, he and his brother were still at school. Within two days Social Services had been in contact, along with a member of the Family Links team.

Independent Visitor Scheme

  • Danielle

    Danielle became involved in the independent visitors scheme at the age of 13 years.  Her older sister Claire had been matched with a volunteer for over a year and told Danielle it was a good experience.

  • My name is Geraldine and I am 21 years old

    When I was 15 I was in a Childrens' Home in Belfast and was convinced I didn't have a friend in the whole world. I hated the staff in the home, as well as all social workers. Nobody ever listened to me and I frequently got so frustrated I had outbursts of violence. I ran away all the time and was always 'self harming'.

Jobtrack

  • Brian

    Brian came to NIACRO when released from Magilligan, keen to put his offending behind him. Identifying the need for new skills in order to access the labour market, his Jobtrack advisor enrolled him on a course to secure employment as a digger driver.

  • David

    While serving his sentence, David had become interested in fitness and wellbeing, regularly making use of gym facilities and training opportunities.

  • Fiona

    Fiona is a life serving prisoner coming close to her release date.  Due to being out of work for such a long time, she was seeking any opportunity to develop skills that could help her find a job on her release.  However, Fiona also needed support to build her confidence and equip her for life outside the prison walls. 

  • James

    James is a 34 year old male, who came to NIACRO’s Jobtrack programme as a self-referral in July 2008. Since 1988, James has had convictions for drug offences, fraud, violence, firearms possession and theft.

  • Leon

    Leon, an Eastern European national, had a history of offending and addiction issues.  However, upon release from prison, he was determined to move on and referred himself to the NIACRO Jobtrack programme.

Volunteers

  • APAC mentor

    I became a volunteer mentor with the APAC project (Assisting People And Communities) about 8 months ago. I am matched with a 24 year old female who has alcohol and drugs addictions, she currently lives in a hostel having been excluded from her local community because of her anti-social behaviour. She has also lost her tenancy with the Housing Executive.

  • Independent Representative

    I thought I would be best suited to the Independent Representation Scheme as it takes place in the Secure Care Residential Centre in Bangor, meeting young people in a group setting on a regular basis.

  • Independent Visitor

    I have been a volunteer with the Independent Visitor Scheme for the past two years. Having completed my studies, I saw volunteering with the IV Scheme as a chance to gain some much needed experience, as well as a worthwhile opportunity to support a young person in the Care System.

Youth Employability

  • David

    David was referred to NIACRO’s Youth Employability programme from the Youth Justice Agency. He had been involved in the justice system for a few years, which led to him getting a Youth Conference Order for his offending behaviour.

  • John

    John is a young person who is keen to move on from reoffending. He has many barriers to overcome, including issues with misuse of alcohol and drugs. He is hoping to progress into employment, as he knows having a job will prevent him from becoming involved in offending behaviour and motivate him to become more independent.