Case Studies
I met bthechange in August after I had been released from prison having served 9 months for fraud. Although I accepted full responsibility for my crime and had served my punishment as decided by the court I still felt guilty and ashamed. I had lost any confidence I had due to the stigma of my criminal conviction, I was severely depressed and was struggling with social anxiety. My mental state was made worse by the fact that I didn’t have a job and although I was lucky enough to have a partner to support me, I felt worthless. I saw no way out of the mess that I had created for myself, I had isolated myself socially and I was simply existing.
Speaking to someone who understood how it felt to go through the criminal justice system took away the fear of being judged, it allowed me to open up about how I really felt, the fears I had and the daily struggles, especially with alcohol. bthechange helped me to identify the triggers of my drinking and ways to avoid them, meaning that the cycle of depression I was in slowly started to get better too. Their experience meant that for the first time I felt like someone was really on my side and I wasn’t the scourge of society. They helped me to see that although I had made a mistake, it didn’t define me as a person and I was entitled to a second chance.
It has taken a long time to get to where I am now, and although there’s still a way to go, I have started work, I volunteer and no longer drink.
Carol committed to our life plan and attended twice weekly sessions with bthechange for 16 weeks, the ‘life blockers’ were identified fairly early and this allowed us to develop a plan with Carol.
When we first met Carol the highlight of her day was doing the washing up! Carol is now working fulltime, has safe and secure accommodation and has been able to move forward with her family.
- Female 2021
*Names changed to protect identities
Unfortunately, people like myself have made some wrong choices and have had to live by the consequences of their actions. I made a seriously wrong decision and was convicted for a high value theft. When this happened my life fell apart, but there comes a time when you have to make life changing decisions. The day I met bthechange changed my life, I screamed out for help and I got it, bthechange helped me to take a hold of my life and that’s when my future began.
*Names changed to protect identities
- Female 2021
bthechange helped me to get out of the mind-set that probation, police and the system are the enemy and accept my part in them being involved in my life and that’s the key to moving on and leading a crime-free life.
*Names changed to protect identities
- Male 2020
To make people understand that you have changed and are not that person is the hardest thing. bthechange have believed in me and have worked hard behind the scenes to make those who matter in terms of me gaining employment realise that I would be a great asset.
*Names changed to protect identities
- Male 2020
On Wednesday 20th June 2018, 4 detectives arrived at my brother and my residence in Plymouth at 07:55am. We were both arrested under the alleged offence: ‘Possess indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child’. Our internet router had, allegedly, been linked to suspicious activity. We handed over all electronic equipment and were taken to Charles Cross police station for questioning by DC PF and DC AR (Chief Investigating Officer), and then released under investigation.
On Sunday 1st July 2018, I was issued with a Notification of No Further Action and all of my electronic items were returned to me. My brother remains under investigation, with some of his computer equipment having been sent away, still awaiting processing. We have been told repeatedly that this could take ‘months or years’. I am under risk assessment as part of my role involves working with children as, in spite of being issued with a Notification of No Further Action, I am inextricably linked with an open, ongoing case relating to alleged offences against children.
As a result of this ordeal and the ongoing turmoil that the investigation is inflicting, both my brother and I are receiving counselling, experience panic attacks and flashbacks to our time in custody, and are experiencing suicidal thoughts. It has ruined our lives, those of our loved ones, and both of our respective mental health. I have lost a large number of contracts at work through not being permitted to carry out my role as a direct result of this investigation. I am now seeking a new job because my career educating children has been tainted and I cannot continue with the mental strain.
These consequences are unacceptable: my brother, my loved ones, and me want our lives back. This can be achieved through the speeding up of the investigation. Given the mental fragility of both myself and my brother, I know that we cannot withstand further ‘months or years’ of waiting, without it causing irreparable damage.
*Names changed to protect identities
- Female 2019
I was given the details of bthechange by a friend of a friend in January 2018 shortly after my son had been arrested and released under investigation, as this was the first time we had ever dealings with the law system, we were feeling very lost and couldn’t seem to find any information for either my son, or ourselves as to what the process was, how long it would take and what would happen.
I was put in touch with Josh from the organisation who immediately put me at ease, I found it extremely difficult (and still do) talking about the fact my son had been arrested and was potentially facing a prison sentence, he did not judge us, but simply provided us with the support we needed, this was everything from providing a listening ear, to accompanying us to court, twice, and explaining what would happen, he was the first person I would call when we got any news from the police, he would then talk through with me would happen, without him I would have been clueless.
Sadly, my son did receive a prison sentence, Josh and a colleague were with us in court on that day, again providing us with support and information, I still continue to speak with Josh, in-fact, he was the first person who was able to see my son in prison, he was able to feedback to me that he was safe and well, this felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders, we were not able to see him for 2 weeks after sentencing which was very traumatic.
From arrest to sentencing took 1 year, we felt our lives were on hold, personally, I feel sure I would not have been able to cope mentally without the support of Josh, this is a very worthwhile organisation. I am sure I am one of many people who have used their services, without such a service people would be left floundering around feeling completely out of their depth.