The ex-offenders programme is led by a team of ex-offenders who speak from their own experience about:

• crime and its consequences
• the dangers of drug involvement
• what prison is really like

There is nothing 'cool' about drug taking, street crime, or gang culture. At London Care Solutions we have found that it can be difficult to convince young people of the dangers and consequences of these behaviours, as often we are perceived as an authority figure far removed from life on the streets or in prison.

At London Care Solutions we work with young people with a variety of problems. Many have been excluded from school (or are likely to be soon); some have had brushes with crime or are heading that way.

We have found that young people respond and relate best to someone who has been in a similar situation and who has first-hand experience of the difficulties they are going through.

Some of our youth workers have had troubled adolescences and young adulthoods, perhaps having come through drug dependency or having served prison sentences. They are able to explain from 'the horse's mouth' why the choices they took were the wrong ones, the stark realities of prison life and the real dangers of drugs. Their stories strike a chord with many young people prompting them to think about the choices they are making.

We offer schools and referral units a programme, where ex-offenders meet the young people and with the help of some startling images, tell them about crime and its consequences. Drawing on their own experiences to give an unusual, honest account of life on the street and in prison.

It is led by a team of ex-offenders who speak from their own experience and tell it like it is, such as:

Your choice

The programme can be delivered in the form of a presentation (e.g. in school assembly) or as a classroom workshop, but we are willing to be flexible and adapt to other suggestions depending on the organisation's needs.

Tony

Tony made a promising start to his life and by the age of 15 had nine GCSEs above C grade. Sadly he started using solvents and just a year later had to be revived having 'died' from solvent abuse. By 17 years of age he was a known drug dealer in the local area, dealing drugs to fuel his own habit and at 18 he was given a 12 month prison sentence.

"The people you meet in a Category A prison are – scary! We show the young people pictures of the kinds of injuries you can receive in prison from other inmates. We make it clear that 90% of crime has a drug element and that if you get involved with drugs, prison is where you are likely to end up."

"I like to de-glamorise prison life and to smash the myth that you can be 'top dog', in reality the only top dogs are the warders because they hold the keys."

Tony has been working with London Care Solutions since he left prison in 2007. He was instrumental in setting up the ex-offenders' programme. He now heads up the programme and leads our team of speakers.

Jason

Jason's start in life was problematic and his early years were spent at Barnardo's. He began using hard drugs when he was 12 years old and by age 15 had made 30 appearances in Court on charges ranging from burglary to breaking his ASBO conditions.

It was then that London Care Solutions assumed responsibility for his care and Jason began to show promising signs that his life had turned a corner. By age 20 he was working as a qualified electrician and living independently with his pregnant girlfriend and their son.

The events of December 15th 2007 changed everything. Following a row with his girlfriend he stole a car after drinking heavily. A subsequent crash in the Blackwall Tunnel, whilst he was at the wheel, claimed the life of his best friend and gravely injured another passenger who lost his leg in the accident. Jason suffered serious injuries himself but recovered and was sentenced to five years in prison. Although released for good behaviour after serving half that time, his memories of life in two of the capital's toughest prisons – Wormwood Scrubs and Feltham – are chilling. His guilt about the events of that night has never left him:

"It took just one night of madness to send me lower than I've ever been before. Prison is like a jungle, it's very frightening and I don't ever want to go back"

There are very few people who are – sadly – so well qualified to explain the dangers of crime and who have suffered such traumatic consequences.

the young peoples’reactions...

"I really enjoyed your talk it was interesting and has made me feel completely different about life and drugs… now I know where to go and have some idea of what I want to do with my life." Charly

"I really think you story was touching. Thank you for putting that insight into my head. I now think about Cannabis in a different way. Before you gave us this talk I wouldn’t of thought about prison and life in the way I do now." Marcus

"I thought your talk was very good and enjoyed what you had to say. You made me think about what life would be inside prison. I rate you for coming off the drugs." Sean

"I think after hearing you talking about what happened to you I think that was the turn for me. I think I will want to stay away from any drugs and illegal activity in the future, thank you."Robert

"It made me think how scared I would be if I had to go to prison. I will make sure that does not happen to me." Jade

From a professional perspective…

"The young people remained fixed on your experiences and talked about it next day. I hope you feel able to continue the work you are doing and share with as many as you can. It is obvious that you will have an influence on some that listen to you."Brent Pupil Referral Unit

"I have seen and heard many presentations to school pupils during my time as a Youth Engagement Officer, but I have never seen the reaction from the pupils that I saw during your sessions." Brent Police Partnership Unit

"Tony was excellent with the pupils. His style is very ‘street’ and they were totally absorbed by the presentation." Year 9 Head Teacher

"Tony's parting statement to the students said it all… "I can't tell you lot not to do it, I'm telling you what the consequences are." Brilliant! I do hope he will be able to return in the near future." Head of Year 10

"Jason's story is very personal and hard hitting, which moved everybody who was listening." Inspector Robinson, Tower Hamlets Metropolitan Police.

London Care Solutions – working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police