Case studies / Quotes
Background:
Lisa, 38, was sentenced to 10 months at HMP Eastwood Park for theft-related offences linked to substance use. Before her sentence, Lisa’s relationship with her 15-year-old daughter had significantly deteriorated due to years of instability and broken trust.
Intervention:
Upon engagement with bthechange CIC, Lisa was referred to bthechange, who provided trauma-informed support focused on rebuilding parental relationships. Our team member facilitated regular phone and video contact with Lisa’s daughter, supported by emotional coaching sessions for Lisa to help her communicate consistently and empathetically.
Through the ‘Family Inclusion Plan,’ Lisa worked with us to prepare for a gradual reintegration into her daughter’s life, including writing reflective letters, preparing for family visits, and participating in parenting-focused group sessions while in custody.
Outcome:
Upon release, Lisa was supported in the community, we helped to coordinate family counselling, liaised with social services, and provided access to a family reintegration fund which covered transport and activity costs for meaningful mother-daughter time.
Lisa now lives in semi-supported accommodation, has maintained regular supervised contact with her daughter, and is on track to regain partial custody. Their relationship has improved, marked by mutual trust and structured communication.
- Lisa 2025
*Names changed to protect identities
Background:
Amina, 29, was sentenced to 6 months for an offence linked to coercive domestic abuse. She is a mother of two boys, aged 6 and 8, who were staying with her sister under a temporary agreement. Amina’s cultural background and past trauma had created additional barriers to engagement with mainstream support services.
Intervention:
We began working with Amina early in her sentence, focusing on culturally sensitive support to maintain her maternal role and rebuild her confidence.
Upon release, we provided intensive wraparound support helping Amina access housing through local partners and connecting her with a local women’s peer network that included other mothers with lived experience of the justice system.
Outcome:
Amina now lives in temporary accommodation. She participates in peer to peer groups of which has supported her with some of her trauma, Amina is progressing well and unsupervised visits with her children is a realistic aim
*Names changed to protect identities
- Amina 2025
Michelle, a local youth worker, witnessed the 2022 race riots in Plymouth and felt silenced by institutional inaction. Through the Appreciative Inquiry sessions, she was finally able to share her story and help co-design local anti-racism responses. She later joined the advisory panel and is now leading youth dialogue sessions. “It wasn’t just talking—it was healing.”.
*Names changed to protect identities
- Michelle 2024
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
- Rory 2024
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
- Jenny 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.