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Around 15 years ago I made some bad choices that changed my and others lives and went to prison for 5 years. During my stay at hmp I strived to better myself and take on new challenges. I learned skills in communication and ICT for office and spreadsheets.
After my liberation date I found a job after 3 months of applying EVERYWHERE, I spent 5 months in the role and was eventually rumbled when someone noticed me from a news article. I had to move jobs. I spent a short stint unemployed and got another job with an agency in a warehouse which went well for a couple of years. My social work and police team were fully supportive of my employment and encouraged me to succeed.
After 2 years the gig was up and someone from my past joined the warehouse team and ultimately recognised me and proceeded to put rumours around about my convictions, again forcing my hand to leave. The agency tried to get me another placement but were unsuccessful. I spent another few months unemployed - Going into a dark place. Picking myself back up I just tried applying everywhere again. I eventually found a job handling calls. I interviewed well and the person was made fully aware of my past. I was offered a post and was in the job for 7 months. The clients campaign who I worked on then required everyone to do a disclosure, I thought I would be fine as I had disclosed during my initial interview however this was not the case and I was ultimately asked to leave due to the clients policy on employment of people with convictions.
After this i did some agency work for awhile but never really settled. I was placed in a local factory and took well to the job. I was eventually offered to apply for a full time role and did thinking the agency had made them aware of any convictions. I got the job and spent the next 3 and a half years there until again my world was turned up side down by someone sending an email to the employer expressing there concern that I was employed in their business. Ultimately again this led to a new job search. After another 2 months on universal credit I found a job with another call centre. I applied and interviewed the question of my convictions never came up however I put it in my application. I was offered a post.
At the start of this post I said I bettered my self inside by learning communication and ict skills. I have now been in my current role for 10 months and have now been offered a promotion due to my skills gained while inside. Things seem to be looking up for the first time in awhile. It's through perseverance, luck and hard work that I am where I am just now.
I understand that things may be different for you but I just wanted to share my story in hopes that it inspires you to keep going no matter what this world throws at you.
To whoever reads this please never give up and keep pursuing your dreams and goals.
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