Caritas Shrewsbury: Navigating Care Sector Employment
Caritas Shrewsbury is the social action agency within CSAN operating across Cheshire and Shropshire and parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Derbyshire. Rani and Priya* approached their local parish church office when they had emigrated from India to secure a more economically viable career. The two ladies’ husbands remained in India and Rani had brought with her, her 8-year-old. Having been promised work with a local care agency, after 3 months Rani and Priya were still waiting for the work to materialise. Despite having the initial funds to move to the UK, they soon had little money to live on and were living in compromised accommodation in the city. Scared and tearful, the ladies were referred to Caritas Shrewsbury. Fortunately, Priya was able to temporarily secure a job during this time. Rani, however, was afraid to talk (even though she had a legal visa) because of potential repercussions and felt lonely and frightened in a country that she had found to be quite hostile. Caritas was able to offer financial support, giving £300 to the women over the course of a few weeks. On Rani and Priya’s behalf, Caritas liaised with Citizens’ Advice Bureau regarding their rental accommodation, and their employment contract. It transpired that they needed new sponsorship as the first care agency was closing homes. They were able find new sponsorship and Rani and Priya received help from Caritas in completing the job application process (which involved sorting out their CVs and making sure they understood the process). Rani was accompanied to her interview, and Priya took this virtually from Wales. Thankfully, both were offered jobs with a new care agency and Caritas supplied a character reference on request from their new agency for both ladies on their job offers. Having secured employment for Rani and Priya, Caritas contacted numerous letting agencies on their behalf and accompanied them to flat viewings and was able to liaise with a particular agency regarding the properties they chose, helping sort out their finances and rental applications. To furnish the flat, Caritas took Rani and Priya shopping and bought some household items (including part funding for a washing machine) with the ‘Caritas at Christmas’ crisis grant funding. This was urgent as the ladies were continuing to live out of their suitcases. Once the flats had been secured, Caritas communicated with the utility provider and showed them how to operate items in their new properties. Rani and Priya expressed their gratitude to Caritas as they faced relocation, new sponsorships and new homes. Their families have now been able to visit and move in. They have often mentioned the invaluable emotional support they have received throughout the last year. At last, they are now happily settled into their new life in England. I am immensely grateful for the unwavering support [Caritas] provided to me during my transition to the UK. Your guidance and assistance in finding a new job, securing a new home, and setting up our household have been invaluable beyond measure. Furthermore, your kindness in helping my daughter settle into her new school and providing toys for her has brought immense joy to our family. Your generosity and thoughtfulness have made a world of difference during this challenging time. Thank you for being such a pillar of support and warmth in my life. Your kindness will always be remembered and cherished. Rani I want to express my deepest gratitude for being an unwavering source of support during one of the most challenging periods of my life. Your assistance in navigating the difficulties of moving to the UK, finding a new job, and securing a new home has been nothing short of miraculous. Moreover, your constant presence and support during tough times for both me and my family have been invaluable. Your generosity in helping us purchase essential items for our new home has made the transition so much smoother. Your kindness and selflessness have touched us deeply and we are forever grateful for your friendship and support. Priya Rani and Priya have been able to settle in their new sponsorships and have immersed themselves into the local. Rani’s husband and child have been able to emigrate from India to live with her. Their daughter attends a local school, and Rani’s husband has been working in a café which he greatly enjoys. They have attended the Stronger Together group (a Caritas Shrewsbury initiative) and the Caritas Family Fun Day earlier in the summer. It is clear that work is fundamental for ‘human development and personal fulfilment’ (Laudato Si, 127). Securing their new positions had allowed Rani and Priya to settle into their new life in the UK. Caritas Shrewsbury’s commitment to the ladies over the last year has reinforced this notion of the dignity of work and its essential role in leading a fulfilled life. *Names changed for privacy reasonsImage: Unsplash
CAPS: Housing Crisis during Pregnancy
Catholics for AIDS Prevention & Support (CAPS) is a ministry in Britain and Ireland promoting HIV prevention and support. They aim to be a voice in the Church for people living with HIV/AIDS and a Christian voice in the world of HIV/AIDS. Tom and Alice*, a couple seeking refuge in the UK were expecting their first child when they approached CAPS for help. A few months before they had been placed into emergency accommodation and through no fault of their own, within two months their flat was flooded. Inadequate repairs were carried out by the landlord, leading to extensive and persistent mould growth in the property in the weeks following the water damage. This also led to a deterioration of Tom and Alice’s health, in particular breathing problems and severe anxiety, threatening their mental health and wellbeing. Despite their best efforts of writing to and visiting the local authority housing office over a period of months, Tom and Alice received no response. One way in which CAPS were able to intervene, was through offering advocacy for the couple. They supported the family to raise their concerns with local MP who wrote to the council. After a formal complaint was issued by the couple, the council finally responded to advise that their case would be reviewed by the end of the year, several weeks after the baby was due. In the midst of this, safeguarding concerns were raised by the maternity nursing team about the couple’s living situation, which resulted in Tom and Alice being advised to contact the local authority housing team. As the situation persisted with no resolution, CAPS referred family to independent solicitors which led to the local housing authority being threatened with judicial proceedings. Following this, CAPS were able to work with Tom and Alice to eventually secure another property owned by their current landlord nine days before Alice was to give birth. Staff accompanied them to view their new flat and relocate, as well as help them settle and ‘set up’ their new home (e.g., utilities bills, housing benefits, council tax). In addition to this, CAPS supported family in returning home from the hospital with the new baby, providing supplies (e.g., nappies, formula, clothes), applying for and obtaining a government maternity grant, as well as securing funding to purchase a pushchair and other newborn essentials. Not only did CAPS attend to Tom and Alice’s material needs, but they also tended their emotional ones. Without their support, the tricky combination of circumstances could have led to further declines in physical health, miscarriage or admission to hospital, street homelessness, or failing to manage household bills leading to debt. CAPS were able to uphold Tom and Alice’s dignity by insisting on their getting access to the services to which they are legally entitled. Without intensive support from organisations like CAPS (have the ability and determination to persist with advocacy e.g. pursue complaints, contact MPs and lawyers), Tom and Alice’s family’s wellbeing was as risk of being significantly jeopardised. Better living conditions were able to be found due to CAPS’ commitment to love of the other and justice. To learn more about Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support (CAPS) please visit: https://www.positivefaith.org.uk/ *Names have been changed for privacy reasons
Caritas Shrewsbury: Healing Together through Bereavement Support
Caritas Shrewsbury is the social action agency within CSAN operating across Cheshire and Shropshire and parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Derbyshire. In November 2023, Caritas Shrewsbury launched their first therapeutic bereavement group, aiming to provide emotional support and a sense of community for individuals navigating the complex journey of grief. The group has been a significant success, fostering an environment where participants feel safe to share their experiences and emotions. Due to its positive impact, they established a second group in April 2024. At the conclusion of the first bereavement group, participants expressed a strong desire to continue meeting. With the support of staff, attendees took the initiative to establish a mindfulness group, which also commenced in April 2024. This new group is particularly noteworthy as it is participant-led, with the ultimate goal of becoming self-sustaining. This transition reflects the empowerment and resilience developed by members during their time in the bereavement group. Participants’ Testimonies The therapeutic bereavement group has had a profound impact on its members, providing them with coping mechanisms and a supportive network. The following testimonials highlight the transformative experiences of several participants. A woman who lost her husband and had become isolated from her social circle shared: It has transformed how I am able to talk to my friends using his name. I can now go out socially without getting too upset. Female, aged 58 Her journey illustrates how the group helped her rebuild her social life and find solace in remembering her husband openly. A mother, grieving the loss of her 18-year-old daughter, remarked: I love the way I can speak openly about her and what her life would have been like. I am still angry at times with the hospital, but I am getting better. Female, aged 46 This statement underscores the group’s role in providing a safe space for members to express complex emotions, including anger, and to process their grief over time. Another woman coping with the death of her mother expressed: I am really hanging on to the way the group has taught me that I don’t have to forget my mum and move on. I can remember her and change how I move forward. Female, aged 21 Her words capture the essence of the group’s philosophy: that moving forward does not mean forgetting but finding a new way to honour and integrate the memory of a loved one into one’s life. Others’ testimonies Beyond individual testimonies, Shrewsbury received heartfelt messages expressing gratitude for the support provided during these challenging times. One participant wrote: I just wanted to say the biggest thank you for helping me during the worst time of my life. My worker was the kindest person with such a welcoming and warm nature that puts me at ease to be able to talk about my very tragic loss. She is very understanding and makes me feel that what I’m going through is normal for someone going through grief. She listens and understands and gives me ideas of ways to see things differently that I’m worrying about. Since losing my mum, I feel completely alone, so my weekly sessions have been really beneficial to talk about my grief. Recipient of Caritas Shrewsbury grief counselling Additionally, feedback from external stakeholders, such as educators, underscores the broader impact of this programme. A teacher shared: Thank you for enabling your worker to support some of our vulnerable children this year. She worked with a lad in my class who has quite a complex home life and provided a much-needed link between school and mum. The child she supported looked forward to his weekly meetings and had a great bond with her. Teacher, observing the effects of the counselling Conclusion The success of Caritas Shrewsbury’s bereavement group initiative lies not only in the immediate support it provides but also in its ability to empower participants to take an active role in their healing journey. The transition from a staff-led bereavement group to a participant-led mindfulness group marks a significant step towards building a resilient, self-sustaining community. The testimonials reflect the deep, personal impact of the group, highlighting its role in transforming lives and fostering hope in the face of loss. Image: Unsplash
Acts 435: Giving self-confidence through a practical gift
Acts 435 is a national online giving charity that directly connects those that want to help with those that have a genuine need, through a network of local churches and charities around the UK. Levi’s Story One of Acts 435’s partner charities is Inn Churches in Bradford, who helps to provide a winter night shelter in the city, as well as other practical help for those who need it most. One of those individuals helped through their work is Levi* who has been working through the challenge of a mental health breakdown, substance use, and a dip in his self esteem. He has been engaging with support workers to address his mindset, his looks and his attitude to his welfare and wellbeing. His washing machine was broken and, due to his low income, he couldn’t afford to replace it. Levi did not have the confidence to go to a laundrette to get his clothes washed and dried, so he was having to wash them in the sink. Inn Churches took the referral for Levi’s need from his support worker, and posted a request for £200 for a washing machine onto the Acts 435 website. Acts 435 supporters then went onto the website and read about Levi’s need, and donated towards his request. The support of Acts 435 donors to purchase a new washing machine meant that he could keep his clothes clean. This helped him not to feel self-conscious about his appearance and enabled him to look after himself properly. Levi was so thankful for the gift, he wrote this wonderful message, which was passed on to our partner charity from his support worker: “This last year has been a burden to me for many reasons, however the one aspect of life I never expected to have such weight on me is clean clothes. We take so many things for granted these days, and least of these is the ability and expectation that we keep ourselves clean. My own personal hygiene over the last few years has not met our collective standards, but always having clean clothes for appointments or meetings is a necessity I had come to regard as normal, this all changed when my washing machine broke down. Already I am a recluse and hide away in my “cave” but knowing I have an ever-present odour I can do nothing about and knowing the closest launderette is beyond my walking distance once all that fabric is damp (as I can’t afford to fully dry all my laundry) and my friends live too far to carry my laundry to and from. It has led me to have some understanding on how very much this small aspect of our shared experience can impact our lives. To have such shame knowing how other people must have perceived me or at least my expectation of their disgust has driven me deeper into my “cave”. I have become even more of a recluse. However, thanks to your generosity I have a new washing machine and a new appreciation of something so benign we hardly give it a thought, clean clothes. I can once again walk through a shop or go to a doctor’s appointment without worrying people will judge me unkindly for the odour of unwashed overworn clothes. Once again Thank you so much and to all who contributed to this funding, your generosity has lifted my failing spirits greatly. Thank you.” Levi. Acts 435 resources local partners who are seeing the everyday needs of individuals in their communities, by providing them with the ability to connect with donors who can help. To find out more about being involved with Acts 435, either as a partner church/charity, or to donate to the requests for individuals, take a look at their website: acts435.org.uk *The name has been changed for privacy reasons. Image: Flickr
Caritas Westminster: Friendship between charities and refugees
The parish of Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew in Hitchin, Diocese of Westminster, is bringing the community together via the Hitchin Pantry. “Friendship between charities and refugees” – How one Hitchin Parish has deepened community bonds When it was heard that an asylum hotel had opened locally, a call out to the parish of Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew in Hitchin raised enough money to give anybody who wanted it a membership to ‘Hitchin Pantry’, a community food project which runs twice a week from the parish’s Scout Hut with support from Caritas Westminster. On Friday and Saturday, when Hitchin Pantry is open to shoppers from across Hitchin, the community comes together in the parish hall over a cup of tea and cake and live music before going into the Scout Hut to do their shopping. Now on any given day you can find people laughing, chatting, cooking together and sharing meals that have been made with items from the pantry. The parish kitchen has been opened so that people staying in the local asylum hotel can cook fresh and healthy food and request specific ingredients so that they can make recipes from home. The parish has become a place of mutual support for people who have been placed by the Home Office in local asylum accommodation. “People seeking asylum do not have access to sufficient money, kitchen facilities or food to meet their needs, are provided with food that does not meet food hygiene or nutritional standards, in some cases resulting in hospitalisation … [e]xperiences of food were broadly experienced as degrading and dehumanising, especially for mothers unable to feed their children adequately.” Food Experiences of People Seeking Asylum in London, a report from Sustain’s London Food Poverty Campaign and JRS UK, published in March 2024. The above was reflected in conversations Caritas Westminster had with people who attended the Hitchin Pantry Project. One parent said “It feels like we are in jail…the [hotel] food is very bad. My [child] spent every day in hospital because [child] isn’t eating. Sometimes the food is tasteless and sometimes it is too spicy. When we call Migrant Help, they ask us about the food, but they don’t listen.” Somebody else shared that “the food they give us goes to waste.” In contrast, when asked about positive elements at Hitchin Pantry one parent with a baby on the way said “Friendship between charities and refugees. They are helpful and friendly guys here – we have the kitchen here and free shopping. If it wasn’t here we would die because we only have £8 to live on. It is not enough for clothes or for preparing for a baby. There is a poster that says the hotel should help provide baby items but then nothing happens.” Some pantry members have started volunteering at the project. Reflecting on this one person said “I enjoy volunteering at the pantry and kitchen and using what other people throw out. The pantry is very good, and I find very lovely friends. I would like to do other voluntary work.” Sustain and JRS UK’s report on the food experiences of people seeking asylum in London highlighted the Mental Health impact of asylum hotels, the lack of adequate food and seeking sanctuary more broadly. One young person shared that the pantry project “helps to relieve from stress. Some of the products have helped by getting the products for free. The community has helped solving an education problem. They encourage me.” Projects like Hitchin Pantry which bring people together and bridge divides are proof that communities want welcome and encounter. To learn more about Cartas Westminster, visit https://caritaswestminster.org.uk/ . To find your local pantry, or to set up one in your area, visit https://www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk/ Image: Bishop Paul McAleenan (CBCEW) at the Hitchin Pantry with Elizabeth Wills (Caritas Westminster), Credit: CBCEW Flickr
NOAH Enterprise: Journeying Ahead
NOAH Enterprise is a Luton based charity that provides a practical, empowering and caring service for the most disadvantaged. Nadia’s Story: Journeying Ahead Nadia Abdul* travelled with her daughter from Kenya to the UK in 2015, to live with her husband. In 2021, her husband left her – he had been both physically and verbally abusive. Disappointingly for her, her daughter decided to live with him and not her. Nadia went to stay with her friend for 2yrs until this personal situation became untenable in July 2023. Nadia had to leave her accommodation but her immigration status was unresolved, meaning she could not get help from the state. She was desperate. She came to NOAH with her belongings, facing homelessness and in crisis. She was distraught at facing a night on the streets of Luton. At NOAH, she had cups of tea and rested but wouldn’t speak to anyone for 3 days. Finally, she opened up to Ben in the NOAH welfare centre after he gave her time, space and care. He sat and listened as she explained what she had gone through. Ben referred her to the Luton All Women’s Centre as well as the NOAH Mi job project which provides a private room in a friendly shared house, delivering short term accommodation for people who cannot access housing benefit. Nadia was very pleased to move into this project and she was thereafter referred to Maria, the NOAH OISC immigration advisor, for further advice about her status. Both the Mi Job project and Immigration advice services are funded by the Nightshelter Transformation Fund Round 1. In addition to this, Nadia accessed 1-1 NOAH therapy with Betty and completed 8 sessions to help her understand and process her past, and start to make plans for the future. Maria and Betty were upset that Nadia was so utterly broken and could not articulate her words and feelings due to her trauma. She was reclusive and had lost every hope in the processes and systems due to her previous experience. For the last three years her previous lawyer (paid) was unable to understand what to do with her case. Nadia was very hesitant for us to contact this solicitor. However, after lots of assurances, she agreed. Maria made the relevant applications to the Home Office in July. In August she was granted 3 months interim leave to remain which enabled her to claim Universal Credit. Now, within three months, she has been granted her full settlement visa. She is now entitled to live and work in the UK, travel, and claim public funds, including housing benefit. Her biometric card (evidence of her settlement visa) is due to be delivered today. We are able to support and refer her to new pathways, to jobs, and alternative housing. She is no more a person with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). With this change of her circumstance the staff at NOAH saw a visible transformation in Nadia. It is brilliant to reflect that NOAH’s holistic support which comprises of care, time, therapy, welfare, and housing and immigration advice, has prepared a whole new future of independence, wellbeing and confidence for Nadia. Through the compassion and dedication of Ben, Ella, Betty and Maria, Nadia has the boost that she needs to leave the past behind and journey ahead. To learn more about Noah Enterprise, visit their site: https://noahenterprise.org/ Photograph shared by NOAH Enterprise *The name has been changed for privacy reasons.
Caritas Westminster: Journey to a Good Life
Caritas Westminster partnered with Mayday Trust to spotlight the voices and experiences of migrants and refugees. When you think of a good life, what does that mean to you? This is the question which volunteer listeners asked over the summer of 2023. The responses made up the report Wisdom from a Journey to a Good Life: Capturing the Voices of People Seeking Sanctuary in the UK. The result of these conversations are 6 recommendations for people working to support people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Caritas Westminster worked with Mayday Trust to produce the report which was collaborative in its design and delivery. 57 people were listened to, and 11 projects and organisations across London and Hertfordshire were involved. Since then, more people, projects and organisations have engaged with the ‘Wisdoms’. Working together led to strengthened links and we heard from some participating organisations that this approach to listening has had an impact on their work moving forwards. Participants in the listening were at many different points in their journey and included people who had newly arrived in an Asylum Hotel, whilst others had come to the UK via schemes such as Community Sponsorship and Homes for Ukraine. Some people had received their refugee status, some were undocumented, awaiting a decision or did not have recourse to public funds. Unsurprisingly, where people found themselves situated within the system had a profound impact on their experience. Informed by Mayday Trust’s person-centered approach, the question was formulated so that it was not leading, nor did it presuppose a particular answer – centrally, conversations were guided by the person sharing. The recommendations are a careful synthesis of all the insights shared across the conversations. The common themes and messages that arose then made up the body of the final report. These are: having a sense of choice and control, being treated with humanity, understanding and compassion, being a part of the local community, being able to achieve ambitions and have purpose, being able to see family and friends, but before any of this, basic needs have to come first, having something to feel hopeful about. “To leave your country and go to a completely new place, [you have to be] a strong person. It’s a strong person who leaves their home. They are very ambitious people, but don’t have opportunity. Don’t have choices. At least if I had education I would be learning for the future.” Wisdoms Participant “A good life means you have many choices”. Wisdoms Participant “Wisdom from a Journey to a Good Life emphasised the importance of community, kindness, and giving people the power to shape their own lives – areas where each of us can play a part in supporting and helping others, even when many other aspects are beyond their and our control.” Dr Trent Grassian, Mayday Trust Wisdom from A Journey to a Good Life Recommendations: 1. A good life is about more than just meeting your basic needs. 2. But, until people’s basic needs are met, they may struggle to connect with their broader goals and ambitions. 3. Mental health and support to recover from past trauma are vital for those who have come through tough times. 4. Help to foster opportunities to develop and support local communities that emphasise choice and control. 5. Work to empower people who may experience little choice and control in their lives. 6. Continue speaking with people who have moved to the UK from other countries, particularly those facing challenges in securing residency. To download the full report, visit: https://maydaytrust.org.uk/wisdom-from-a-journey-to-a-good-life/ Photograph shared by Caritas Westminster
SJOG: A New Beginning in the UK
Since September 2022, St John of God Hospitaller Services (SJOG) – in partnership with CSAN – have been providing a matching service for individuals displaced by the war in Ukraine. This is the story of one Ukrainian guest, Anna, who arrived under the SJOG Homes for Ukraine Scheme: In the midst of turmoil and constant shelling in Kharkiv, my family found a glimmer of hope through the “Homes for Ukraine” programme, offered by St John of God Hospitaller Services (SJOG). This programme not only provided us with an escape route but also paved the way for a brighter and more peaceful future for my son, who has Asperger’s syndrome. Our journey began when we were introduced to the programme, which was to become our lifeline out of a perilous situation. A remarkable couple, Anna and Edmund, quickly became our sponsors, but they would soon come to mean much more. They enveloped us with care and support, evolving into more than just sponsors; they became family. The transition from a war-torn region to safety was made remarkably smooth, thanks to the programme’s efficient handling of every detail. From swift paperwork processing to speedy solutions for any issues that arose, SJOG made sure our needs were met every step of the way. Perhaps the most poignant transformation was the impact on our son’s life. Once filled with fear and uncertainty, he now has the opportunity to attend a school that was previously just a dream. This newfound security and access to education have rekindled the joy of learning, making school days something to look forward to once again. But there was an even deeper level to the change we witnessed in our son. The war had taken a toll on his health, exacerbating his Asperger’s syndrome. Here, in a peaceful environment, he finally found a place where he could thrive and receive the care he needed. His first words upon arriving were, “How wonderful it is to finally sleep without the sound of sirens.” It was difficult to part from our extended family back home, as he had grown up with his grandparents, but our son’s future meant everything to us. We are immensely grateful that England has embraced us so warmly. In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, the “Homes for Ukraine” programme shines as a beacon of hope, providing not just refuge but also a chance for a brighter tomorrow. Our story serves as a testament to the power of compassion and the impact it can have on those facing the harshest of circumstances. SJOG Homes for Ukraine is an official provider of the government scheme, operating in the whole of the UK. The scheme is funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC), and the Albert Gubay Fund. The purpose of the programme is twofold: to evacuate people from the warzone and prevent homelessness amongst those Ukrainians already in the UK. If you wish to rent your property, which is also possible, feel free to apply via sjog-homesforukraine.uk More information on the project can be found at the following links: Website: sjog-homesforukraine.uk E-mail: homesforukraine@sjog.org.uk Facebook page: facebook.com/sjoghomesforukraine
PACT: Dealt an ‘ACE’
Over the last 18 months, Pact has been piloting a new approach to supporting young men in prison at Brinsford Young Offenders’ Institution in Staffordshire. Our ‘Dealt an ACE’ project provides specialist support for young men who have experienced significant trauma in their childhoods and who are exhibiting violent, harmful, or self-destructive behaviours. Research shows that men in prison are much more likely than men outside to have suffered ‘adverse childhood experiences’ (ACEs). The lives of many of these young men have been incredibly tough and shaped by various forms of abuse, familial substance misuse, imprisonment of loved ones, experience of the care system, and educational difficulties. Dealt an ACE offers men help and hope whilst serving their sentence, through a structured programme of individual support designed to build up their resilience and skills to navigate life’s challenges. This is what Kyle* said about how the programme had helped him: “This is my first time in prison. I asked Pact’s Angie* for help when I saw her on the prison wing. My mental health wasn’t great, and I felt angry all the time. I didn’t know what to do with it. The best part of the support is how it makes me feel. It cheers up my day – I actually look forward to the sessions. There’s a trust. We have good conversations about anger, stress, and relationships. It’s helped me feel like I’ve got a plan, and I’m moving forward.” “Angie brings Pact booklets, and we talk through them together – we’ve met regularly for three months. Now, I want to help as many people as possible to get ready to leave prison. I’ve been working on myself – I’ve done a drug misuse course, a forklift driving course, and I play in a football team. I’ve got a strong relationship with my parents. I ring them every week, and they visit when they can.” “The hardest thing about coming to prison was hearing my mum say, ‘I’ll support you this time, but not again.” That makes me want to change. I’ve seen my whole family struggle with me being in prison. I used to help my brother financially, but I can’t in here.” “I feel like since getting help from Pact, I appreciate things more. We’ve done work around managing my anger – I feel more mature, like I care about values and manners. I feel more focused on getting out, going home to my bed, and having beans on toast with my mum. I just wanted to say thank you. Keep doing this; it helps a lot.” Through Pact’s Dealt an ACE project, we uphold the dignity and worth of the young men whom walk alongside in solidarity. Each journey is co-designed with the person we are supporting, in a spirit of subsidiarity. It is wonderful to see the fruits of this work which Kyle describes in his own words. *names have been changed Photograph by Andy Aitchison