As part of our Thematic Inspection work in conjunction with HM Inspectorate of Probation we spoke to one service user about their experience of unpaid work.

DT [pseudonym] had never had a full-time job when he started his unpaid work hours. He was tasked with the upkeep of local gardens in his community and found that he enjoyed learning how to use the tools and seeing the fruits of his labour.

On top of the manual skills he learned, it was the comradery and teamwork skills that stood out to DT as being the most beneficial to his development and overall positive experience.

DT was treated with respect by his supervisor who saw him more like an employee than a criminal. When he told his supervisor how much he was enjoying working for free, his supervisor said he’d get him a full-time role in a similar position.

Six months later, DT is still in the job and thriving. It’s what gets him out of bed in the morning and gives him a routine whilst keeping him away from the bad influences of his past.

DT’s unpaid work experience has “changed his life forever.” He is about to embark on a landscaping qualification and looks to develop his career further. Once he has 5 years or so of experience under his belt, DT would like to start his own company that works with young people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. He wants to show them that there are alternatives to making money than through crime. 

“When I was given unpaid work, I was relieved I wasn’t going to prison, embarrassed that it had got to this point and dreaded the thought of doing unpaid work where anyone passing by would know. I thought I’d be in a public park picking litter with an ‘I’m a bad person’ label hanging off me…

…But it wasn’t dreadful, it was the complete opposite! The supervisor treated us like employees. People who pass us don’t judge, they thank us for looking after their relative’s graves. It’s not litter picking either, it was learning to use proper gardening tools, learning that health and safety isn’t just boring stuff haha…

…My supervisor, Pete, he’s an amazing guy who got me the job I’m in now. It was weird, one day I realised I was enjoying working for free and when I told him he asked would I do it full-time. I’d never had a full-time job before so to be honest, I didn’t really believe he could help. In fact, I actually just didn’t think he would want to help me out like he has. No one has before so why would he? But he did and here I am, six months in and about to start a landscaping qualification!..

…I love it, it’s my reason for getting out of bed, it’s my reason for keeping away from people who had helped get me in trouble. I’m not saying it wasn’t my fault I ended up on court, it definitely was, but the fact I was hanging around with people who were committing crimes on a daily basis didn’t help. This has helped me get a new set of mates. I’m down the pub with this lot on a Friday instead of what I used to do which is why I landed in court…

…Oh, I could list the practical skills I’ve learned all day, but to me, the real skill was learning about teamwork and stuff. Nothing feels better than finishing a job where it was a shit hole, sorry, a mess when you started and when you finish, it looks amazing. You look around and you’re like ‘We did this!’ Then it’s down to the pub to celebrate. That feels so good. I’ve learned to garden, I’ve learned about the different tools, what’s best for what type of soil and stuff. But like I say, the best skill is teamwork. It was new to me, I was a loner, a ‘weird kid’, so it was brand new to me…

…I’d say I’m one of the lucky ones. There’s people who I know who were given less interesting work or stuff that felt pointless and I know they’re still dealing or whatever. Being given something, I was interested in and thanked for, as well as the supervisor treating me like a person, was a stroke of luck that’s changed my life forever. I used to be up at all times, and my life was just chaos when I look back. Now I’m in a routine, up for a brew at 6 and never in bed after 10 pm. My life just feels calmer to be honest with you. And I’ve got direction now, I know where I’m heading, and it isn’t to jail!..

…Well, the future, wow, so different than it did this time last year! I’m going to get my landscaping qualification first. Then I’m going to build on that, get at least 5 years of experience under my belt first. Then what I’d really like to do, and I don’t know the ins and outs yet, but what I’d really like to do is set up my own company and work with young people who don’t have like, what’s it called, academic skills. I want to show people you don’t have to use crime to earn money and to show them that people will help them. You just don’t know how rewarding work can be until you find something you love, and it makes you want to share that feeling. Even though being a criminal was how I found that, I still feel lucky that I did.”