Melanie Tompkinson
Melanie was struggling with a life of crime, addiction and homelessness. However, engaging in education and training during her two year prison sentence has enabled her to stay clean and even secure a part-time job.
Melanie completed a range of courses during her time in prison, including Level 1 and 2 Literacy, Numeracy and IT. She also completed the prison’s drug rehabilitation programme and a number of other courses to improve her employability skills.
She also worked as an Education Orderly – a position held in very high esteem – and was recruited by Shaw Trust as a Literacy Mentor and by Bristol Samaritans as a Prison Listener. The opportunity to support other women with their own education, and with personal problems and emotional issues, helped Melanie to identify not only an aptitude for this, but a passion for it.
As soon as Melanie was released, she immediately set about finding an opportunity to put her new skills into practice by supporting people in the community. She was referred to New Futures - which is co-financed by National Offender Management Service and the European Social Fund, and delivered by Avon & Somerset Probation Trust - securing a place on the Peer Mentoring Scheme and a part-time job via the New Futures Job Club. Rather than balk at early morning starts, Melanie was pleased as this meant she would still be able to undertake her programmes, groups, courses and voluntary work.
Case manager at Avon & Somerset Probation, Katie Kwidzinski, said, “Since I met Melanie, she has consistently surprised me. Recently, I’ve stopped being surprised because she has proven that she’s capable of just about anything she sets her mind to and works hard at. I am inspired by her and I have no doubt that soon others will be too.”
Melanie said, “Eighteen months ago, I was lost with no hope; now I am no longer afraid of success. My confidence is growing every day and I hope that, in time, I will be able to draw on my own bad experiences to help others.”
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