Prisons Week 2024 runs from 13th – 19th October. During the national week of prayer, we will be sharing stories from Southwark organisations who work to support prisoners, people with convictions and their children and families.
Change for Good’s mission is to empower those leaving prison and resettling in London, to transform their lives through mentoring, advocacy, and peer support.
In this blog Josh Brettell, CEO at Change for Good writes:
Change for Good is a resettlement charity in London that was born out of the chaplaincy department of HMP Wandsworth in 2012. Our mission is to empower those leaving prison and resettling in London to transform their lives through mentoring, advocacy, and peer support.
Kieran is an ambassador for Change for Good, and his journey has been a testament to the power of belonging and justice. He has shared his experiences with us, revealing the struggles he faced and the hope he found through community.
“After my mum and dad and my nan all died, my mum and nan within the same two weeks, I started offending. I went through numerous spells in prison and just kept reoffending. While on bail, coming up to sentencing, I found myself on top of a car park overlooking a tube line, thinking that was a lot more attractive than an unknown length in prison.”
For many, the sentence is not the end of punishment. Homelessness, isolation, and lack of employment raise profound questions of justice. One story that resonates deeply within prisons is that of the Sycamore Tree, illustrating the topsy-turvy justice offered by Jesus. In Luke 19, Jesus sees Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, up in a sycamore tree. Rather than condemning him, Jesus come to Zacchaeus’ home for a meal. This act of inclusion leads to Zacchaeus’ transformation. Jesus offered belonging first, then provided a path forward.
Many people’s journey with Change for Good starts on the prison wings as we help prepare them for release and meet them at the gate on their release day. Once released, we provide one-on-one mentoring through our trained volunteers across London and facilitate our peer support group, Next Chapter, which focuses on life skills, community, and access to services.
It was at Next Chapter that Kieran quickly found his place, not missing a weekly meeting for consecutive years. Eventually, Kieran became an ambassador at Next Chapter and found that being able to contribute was far more rewarding than receiving.
“I have facilitated meetings, tried to herd everyone in, helped train new volunteers, and spoken at events across London (even at the Wimbledon tennis courts!), raising awareness and giving back. I get a sense of achievement and belonging out of doing something purposeful, having something that can fill my time with positivity rather than negativity. Before, it was all negative.”
Kieran’s story is a powerful example of how justice and belonging are intertwined. True justice goes beyond punishment; it seeks to restore and heal. This requires a community that offers acceptance and a path to redemption. At Change for Good, we believe in creating a supportive environment where individuals can find hope and rebuild their lives.
“When I went to prison, I was excommunicated from my family and friends, had no housing or future prospects. What I gained from Next Chapter was more than just practical support, it was family.”
As we continue our work, we are inspired by stories like Kieran’s. They remind us of the importance of offering hope and belonging to those who need it most. Together, we can build a society where justice heals and transforms, providing everyone with the chance for a new beginning.
