Jimmy and St Giles Trust

Jimmy was one of the first prisoners that St Giles Trust trained to NVQ3 in Advice and Guidance. At the time, Jimmy was a recovering addict and had been in and out of prison for a series of offences going back 20 years.

Jimmy worked for St Giles Trust as a voluntary resettlement advisor at Wandsworth prison. When he completed the NVQ3 in Advice and Guidance he had served 20 months of a three and a half year sentence.

During his time as an advisor Jimmy said: “I have been an advisor for four months and I feel the job has made me a better person as far as helping people is concerned. I am learning every day what it takes to do the job so that I can help other prisoners. I’ve seen over 250 people and I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel that some of them will be better for the advice and information that I have given them – whether it’s housing benefit, tenancy sustainment, Homeless Person’s Unit (HPU)information, referrals to other agencies in the prison, or just a bit of friendly advice.”

Upon leaving prison, Jimmy started his own waste management business. His business is unique in that he employs ex-addicts who have been through the prison system and who want to stay clean and find work. Jimmy’s business has been highly successful and now clears over £350,000 per annum. He has just won a major contract in Stratford for the 2012 Olympics.

In his spare time, Jimmy runs a support group for recovering addicts and has supplemented his training with counselling qualifications.

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