John joined up in 2020 having been released after a spell in prison for Robbery.
John had already undertaken several training courses prior to his release, including a 6-week bricklaying course. At his interview for the job he told us that he was looking for a way to become a bricklayer.
When we met him, he was, like so many of our new employees, living in a hostel on release from prison. As a result of the income he was able to start earning from his employment with Bristol Together, he quickly found his own place to live. Our experience shows that, along with a properly paid job, this is a key step on the road to turning things around on release from custody.
John was keen to impress from the start, and had a good idea of his plans for the future. He started working alongside the experienced bricklayers on the Staple Hill Road new build site in Fishponds, initially mixing up mortar, then pointing and soon after this was laying blocks.
Within 6 months of starting with Bristol Together, John was offered a full-time bricklaying job with the team of bricklayers who he worked with on the site. At time of writing he has started working for this firm and is now back at our site as one of their bricklaying staff.
John says “I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do, but couldn’t find anyone who would take me on straight from the prison gates because of my record. Bristol Together gave me that chance. I don’t know what would have happened to me if they hadn’t been there.”
*Individuals names have been changed by agreement.