Interserve – redeining the future for probation and rehabilitation

MENTORING AWARD
This award honours efforts in supporting, encouraging, promoting and guidance through information
sharing, for the beneit of their mentee. Such efforts often go unnoticed – but not unappreciated.
Sponsors of the drinks reception
THE DRINKS
ARE ON US!
Simplify a little and let the ingredients do the talking
- that’s the Pickled Walnut way.
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We’ll guarantee that your delivery is in sync with your expectations,
from your initial phone call and getting to know you, to inviting
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Have we tickled your taste buds?
If so and you want the same quality food and
service for your event contact us on;
0151 638 0011 option 1
e: hilary@pickledwalnutcatering.co.uk
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Basic Intervention Group (BIG)
BIG is a mentoring group of Life Sentenced Prisoners providing support, mediation and guidance to
those on BASIC regime within the prison. The BIG group have recently expanded and are now working
with West Midlands Police and local Pupil Referral Units to provide support to young people at risk of
offending. The team work 7 days a week and are given no inancial remuneration. They do this for no
reward other than the intrinsic satisfaction of “giving something back” – their words. This is a project that
simply changes lives. Prisoners report feeling safer and self-harm is often prevented by staff involving a
member of the team. Mentees are becoming mentors and there are parents of younger prisoners asking
to meet the mentors to thank them for giving them their son back. They are all aware of the impact
they have had on the lives of others and are open, honest and massively regretful regarding their own
offences. They all wish to prevent others from making the same mistakes and want to pay back.
Curtis Whitehead
Whilst in custody Curtis voluntarily applied to become a Peer Mentor and gained a level 2 qualiication
in Peer Mentoring. Within this role he advised and supported vulnerable prisoners and took the lead role
as an Induction mentor. Curtis is very professional in his role and treats other prisoners with respect and
compassion. He demonstrates empathy and is always willing to give up his own time to assist and listen
to his peers. Curtis volunteered to assist with Community Presentations, where prisoners attend schools,
colleges and other organisations to deliver talks to young people who may be at risk of offending. Not
only has Curtis’s contribution to the mentoring scheme beneitted other people but he has developed and
improved his own conidence and self esteem, to the point where he is now considering mentoring ex
offenders in the community.
Katy Benson
Katy is a mother of two from Cardiff and has spent most of her teens and adult life struggling with mental
health issues. With the support of the Integrated Offender Management Cymru Women’s Pathinder Katy
was able to access appropriate support and treatment. Inspired by the peer support she received, she
realised that she was not just someone in need of support but someone who was capable of contributing.
After completing an inpatient substance misuse detox programme, she became inspired by a guest
speaker and realised “the power that one person can have to change another’s life”. She became further
drawn to peer support and mutual aid whilst attending the Recovery Cymru community groups and
believes that a crucial part of success after detox is building links with the community and established
follow up support. Katy learnt that it was not enough to simply take drugs out of her life but needed to
ill that void with healthy friendships, hobbies and activities. Katy has utilised her own life experiences to
support, encourage, promote and guide others. She is an advocate of offender engagement.