Nacro annual review

afternoon, and don’t have a routine.’ One of her firstobjectives is to get them used to the rhythms of theworking day: ‘If they are getting up at 3pm, I makean appointment to see them at 2pm. The next time,I’ll set the appointment for 1pm. By the time theyare showing up at 9am, I know they are ready tostart training or a job.’As Tara’s team introduce structure and purpose intopeople’s lives, it also builds up their belief inthemselves. ‘A lot of them have never had peoplesaying positive things about them before, and theyrespond well to it. We set them small goals, andcongratulate them when they achieve them. Whenwe review their work with us we say: “You’ve madereal progress.”’ As a result, they gain confidence inthemselves, and in the Nacro staff. ‘They know thatwe will go out of our way for them and they cantrust us,’ she says. ‘That can make a big difference,especially when they are struggling to cope. So whenone of the guys here started using drugs again, hetold us about it immediately, and we put him incontact with people who could get him through that.It’s good that they can say to us, “Help me, thingsare going wrong,” because we can help.’In the meantime, she relies on judgment and instinctto get the most out of people. ‘Some don’t mind ifyou phone them up to get them out of bed for work,even though they use some colourful expressions atthe time – they think: “You’ve got up to call me, soI’ll get up too.” But others react against it becausethey think they are being controlled: “If you’re goingto hassle me, I’m not going to do it.” It’s trial anderror; you hope you’ll strike the right note straightaway.’ Dave grimaces as he recalls Tara phoning himup at 7am, but philosophically views it as one oflife’s vicissitudes. ‘You try to get on with things,’ hesays. Now, with the project’s assistance, he’s on ajob placement with a timber merchant.With help to find training and jobs, people begin tostraighten out their lives. ‘One young woman camehere last autumn,’ says Tara. ‘She was usingmethadone, she wasn’t quite ready for change, andshe dropped out. Then she came back. She was moremotivated to do it, and we gave her the opportunity.We got her on to a course and her child into anursery. She was very nervous about leaving him thatfirst day, but they both did fine. She finished hertraining and got a job out of it, and was then offereda better job. We met yesterday, and she said: “My lifehas completely changed.” To see the difference in herfrom last October to now – you can’t beat that.’ 13