Surviving COVID-19
Flexing and evolving
Sarah, our Lead Coach at HMP Pentonville, wrote a piece showcasing our trainees’ voices for a new blog series from Russell Webster chronicling the different ways in which organisations in the criminal justice sector are helping their service users survive the impact of coronavirus.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, like many others, our coaches at StandOut have been unable to do what they do best: deliver our intensive course in prison and meet our ‘graduates’ in person to support them as they navigate their lives in the community. However, it has provided us with an opportunity to practice what we preach, and show resilience in the face of challenge. We’ve flexed and evolved our offer to ensure we continue to provide the best possible relational support to our trainees.
As I write this from my desk at home, I think about what our coaches would normally be doing this week. Some would be in our classroom in HMP Wandsworth or Pentonville, working to create a positive environment where change and growth is possible. They might be delivering an interactive session on how to manage conflict, or have trainees up on their feet, out of their comfort zones, and giving public speaking a go. Or they might be gearing up for volunteers to arrive for a Mock Interview workshop. It might even be the day of Graduation, in which case nerves would be high (not least mine) as everyone prepares for presentations to an audience of over 30 guests to mark the end of the course.
Others would be in the community supporting our trainees who have completed the course and are in or working towards employment. We know that change takes time, and doesn’t always follow a linear path, so StandOut offers support for as long as is needed. Coaches might be in a coffee shop helping prepare someone for an interview, or assisting with a supermarket shop, or just being that supportive but critical friend: reinforcing the mindset work that began in prison.
As the events of the last weeks have unfolded, coaches have adjusted to home-working where they continue to provide a lifeline to our trainees. We write weekly to those who have completed the course and are awaiting release. For those who have already been released, we have regular phone and video contact. We’ve prepared weekly newsletters with advice and guidance on wellbeing and mental health, general advice about the lock down and a spotlight on the employment opportunities that exist at this time. It is clear that, as with us all, they face uncertainty, but also particular challenges arising out of their circumstances.
Although we are missing meeting in person, the highlight of our week continues to be our work with trainees who, now more than ever, are showing us a thing or two about resilience. Like John, 54, who completed StandOut in HMP Pentonville and is now working on his recovery at a London housing project:
“In a way prison has prepared me for this. You have to learn patience because nothing happens quickly in there. In prison you can bash your door as much as you like, it’s not going to open. And for me, it’s the same as now, there’s nothing we can do about it. I’m looking at it positively. I can open my window and look out. There are no bars on my window. I have a key to my door. I can get fresh air. I was in prison for a hot summer. Now I’ve got a garden here and I can still get out when I want to for some exercise.”
Or Adam, 25, who, like many of our trainees, has faced an unexpected need for financial support from Universal Credit during this time:
“The virus kind of derailed my momentum at first. I was working for a Hospitality Agency which was going really well but then that stopped, indefinitely. I’d literally just come out of prison and people around me were getting it. So, it felt like as soon as I had got myself into a good routine, everything closed down and it was tough.
If it wasn’t for the virus, I wouldn’t have needed Universal Credit because I would have earned more. I couldn’t get an appointment for two weeks and to top that off my initial appointment was deferred due to it being ‘non- essential’. The way they calculate Universal Credit is based on the money you’ve earned in the previous month, therefore I only got £70 for this month to last me until May. I was underpaid for my hospitality work so I’m struggling for money a bit.
It is what it is though. I’m just taking it one day at a time. The easy option is to stay in bed all day and do nothing but then you’re going to emerge out of this having achieved nothing. I’ve been reading, going to the park, and I bought some resistance bands so I can work out at home. I’ve been trying out meditation with a free App called Waking up by Sam Harris and it’s actually cool. It helps me with focus. You can get too caught up with what’s in your head and you’re not engaging with the world.
I’ve also been volunteering at a food charity. We sort out food and give it to old people’s homes. I have been volunteering there since last year but because of the virus, it’s mad, everyone wants to volunteer at the moment! It’s cool though, it’s fun.
My long-term goal is to finish my Accounting and Finance course at university. You can’t do everything at once, it’s unrealistic. Worrying about going back to university now makes no sense. I just need to wait until all this blows over. I can imagine it’s awful in prison right now so I’m happy I’m out.”
And Jake, who had just been accepted onto a Manager Training Programme with Tesco before COVID-19 struck:
“It was a real knock back to get that news. I had taken a pay cut to join the programme, but when the programme got stopped I went back to minimum wage. I’m still at Tesco working as a Shop Filler so my career prospects have been put on hold at the moment. I live with my girlfriend who is a student and was working in a coffee shop, but both of those have closed. We’ve got a lot of things to pay for.
Thing is I went into prison and I knew I wasn’t going to go back into the lifestyle that led me there in the first place. It was hard enough finding work when I left prison. I came out of prison with £46 – literally not enough to get a train ticket back home to Wales.
I’m just trying to stay positive and focusing on my future goals. Even if my original plan doesn’t work out, I want to have Plan Bs and Cs that I can fall back on. I’ve applied to study a part-time Computing and IT course with Open University to broaden my knowledge and keep busy. I didn’t know if it would be possible for me to study when I had a record but StandOut showed me it was possible, and gave me options.
I’ve found the daily restrictions really hard, especially not being able to see people. And KFC’s shut! But that’s how I’m getting through this, thinking about all the things I’m looking forward to when it’s over: travelling with my girlfriend (we had a trip to Italy that got cancelled) and getting back to my career prospects. To anyone struggling out there, I’d say to try and stay focused on your long-term goals and plans. There are jobs right now, even if it’s not something you want to do forever.”
We have been both encouraged and inspired by the resilience and positive mindsets our trainees have shown during this time. Taking a leaf out of their books, StandOut is resilient and will continue to do all that we can to help our trainees fulfil their potential.
We’re always open to doing more, in both different and collaborative ways. If reading this, you feel you could offer support to our trainees or organisation during this time, we would love to hear from you. Just drop us a line at info@standout.org.uk.