A Place for Change...

In this blog, Pat Martin, a volunteer with A Place for Change, reflects on the theme ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ for Prisoners’ Week 2019, which has just finished. A Place for Change in the north of Glasgow is one of a number of community-based throughcare projects supported by Faith in Community Scotland.

Pat and others attending the launch of Prisoners’ Week 2019

There are many who are out of sight and out of mind while they are in prison, I remember boys who were bullied in prison, a young in particular who spent all of his time locked in the toilet, terrified of his cellmate-everyone knew what was happening to him, but staff didn’t seem to notice. I wasn’t so bad as I had visitors, but half of my family stopped talking to me, so I was forgotten by them. Another young boy who was self-harming waited ages to get any help. I think prison has changed a bit now though.

When I started working with A Place for Change, they were interested in my health and wellbeing, even when sometimes I wasn’t. When I fell off the wagon and was in a dangerous place, the staff and mentors were always there to support me.  I have made good memories with the other boys who come to A Place for Change drop-in. The boys come here because they feel safe and they know people here care about them-they feel they can come back even if things aren’t going well for them.

I have had some great opportunities through my involvement with The Place-I have been a commissioner for The Poverty Truth Community, I’ve travelled to Rome with them, I’ve also been on day trips and residential trips all over Scotland. It’s on a day to day level though that The Place has made the most difference, through going to community meals, joining a choir and other activities.

I am now a mentor for the project, and am trained to support other men leaving local prisons, where I can use my experience to support them and empathise with them on their journey.