I worked in a prison, AMA!

[Youarestillintherunning]

I worked in a prison for young offenders (16-18) for two years, then moved to a secure training centre for 12-18 year olds, then a secure residential children's home. I now work in a completely different office based job. Ama!

Rereading what I've written, there's a lot about the negatives. I feel I need to balance this with the flipside! I met so many amazing, resiliant and resourceful kids, who were genuinely funny and often surprisingly sweet. I got to do so many great things especially at the residential home, like taking them ice skating, planning birthday surprises for them, Christmas time celebrations etc. The reason I stayed so long was for them. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a kid you have been working with overcome an issue they've been having, or make some positive steps. It sounds super cheesy, but it's true!

Thank you so much @Youarestillintherunning. I've just screenshotted your post and will start doing some research. I volunteer for a domestic violence charity right now but with fundraising and social media. I would be really interesting in helping people more directly one day, especially young people. It really saddens me what a dreadful start a lot of children have in life and how that seems to play out later on.

@AbiJo no problem at all! I'm so excited for you! You will never have a boring shift lol 😊 Good luck ❤