i have never been this excited in my whole life. Stood in reception waiting to go
I have so many ... more »
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
This Month
Month Archive
Login
|
Wednesday, February 25
Thursday, December 18
Christmas Inside
by
Kano
on Thu 18 Dec 2008 02:52 PM GMT
The following article was written by Kano, a WtF veteran at Ashfield. Christmas inside
My previous Christmas have been great Christmas day with all my family seeing the excitement in my little brothers and sisters faces; running in my bedroom and waking me up at 5 o’clock in the morning running around screaming it wont be the same this year, now he has to have the thought of his brother behind bars. It’s hard to forgive myself I feel as though I have let them down not being there to help them open there presents; seeing there faces light up at all there new toys they’ve got. My mum trying to get everything prefect worry about the tiniest details. Phoning all of my friends and my girlfriend seeing if she liked what I got her, building all the Lego or whatever new toys have been bought the satisfied look on his face once I had built them. The delicious dinner that mum had spent so long cooking the ridiculous amounts of alcohol in the house.
My Christmas now: it's been the first Christmas away from my family I know my mum will be finding it hard she has always made a massive deal of Christmas. Instead of my little brother and sister running in my room full of excitement waking me up, now it will be a guv just as pissed of as me being stuck inside at Christmas, I guess. Its my first Christmas inside so I don’t really know how things go but im not looking forward to it my favourite time of year stuck inside.
This artilce can also be found in Caspar Walsh's blog in the Guardian's Joe Public webspace 17/12/2008.
Wednesday, December 10
The Philosopher
by
stealthman
on Wed 10 Dec 2008 10:13 AM GMT
Another blog from the “Stealthman” In my last blog I drew attention to not listening to what young people have to say. During the last couple of months I’ve been working with one particular young man who is very reflective of his life and is making good head way at turning his life around. He is keen to educate himself and go back to live with his mother, making her proud of his achievements and celebrated positive attitude that he has displayed during his period of transition. I’ve been fortunate to have read many of the ‘lads’ stories and poems, they write from the heart and don’t mince their words. A friend of mine once asked me why young people are fixated about writing, I replied simply, because very few people actually listens, and most people can read, and it’s easier not to have to give up your time. They write to air their voice, and it is very therapeutic to do so. So when you get the opportunity to read a poem or story, imagine that young person, who might have struggled to put pen to paper, allow him to vent his feelings and emotions, for he is the young person standing in front of you. Despite their background and life styles they led, people can change and will change if they get the right support. "Every person has talent. Talents expression is dependent upon the opportunity to express it. Probably the greatest thing you can do is to make someone believe they can be successful." I sincerely hope that this young man will turn his life around, and that his mother enjoys the reflectivity in his poem. The Philosopher He is the thinker The one that likes to tinker The one that helps the weaker Knows how to read ya It’s a burden and a blessing He always ends up confessing He’s a Saint and a Sinner Passive aggressor Trapped in a land That won’t let him expand You know when he’s not listening When his eyes stop glistening It’s hard to pay attention When you’re missing attention Life is hard But you can make it harder Whats the point living without any laughter You got to understand to be understood So the philosopher is making a stand And now’s he’s understood By S-FL Sunday, November 23
Third Wtf Blog in The Guardian's Joe Public
by
Marcel
on Sun 23 Nov 2008 08:56 PM GMT
Last Wednesday, Caspar's third account of the WtF workshops at HMP & YOI Ashfield was published on The Guardian's Joe Public blog-space. This week he features leeman15, a founder member of the WtF group at Ashfield. Click here to read the full story. You can also listen to leeman's testimonial on the Testimonials link on the WtF website. all the best Marcel Thursday, November 20
Today's Young People
by
stealthman
on Thu 20 Nov 2008 05:41 PM GMT
I’ve spent a great deal of my life working with young people, and the best experiences have been working with young men behind bars. Public perception gives rise to many negative arguments about the young people of today. Yes, these guys have done wrong, but a majority have just been caught up with the wrong people at a very impressionable time in their lives.
Everyone has an opinion, and there are many who speak their mind without justification and knowledge of the problems young people of today are confronted with in their life. It’s easy to criticise, but it’s harder to give constructive criticism, advice and guidance to help young people change their lives. When was the last time you actually listened to a young person? Is it because you don’t value their opinion? Or is it easier to walk away and not acknowledge what they have to say. Every one has a story to tell, and this site is an opportunity for young people to be heard, their stories are real, their emotions and feelings reflect their life. They are the voice of young people, who by engaging in writing are making a commitment to all of those who are too quick to condemn, that there is hope, a future and a place for young people to find change in their life. What do we need to do? Well let’s start listening first, being young can be a frightening time if you are excluded from society, or for whatever reason. They say that giving is better than receiving, so give the next young person a precious gift, your time, pass on the wisdom of your life. It’s never too late to learn, and it’s never too late to change. This web site is a chance for you to read, for you to learn and for you to understand the voice of young people. A message to all the young people that send in their work, well done, you’ve turned the corner, and are on the journey to change, safe journey, and there are people around you that do listen, they are all MAD, Make a Difference Good Luck, and keep a good job going Stealth man Tuesday, November 18
WtF Website Launched!!
by
Marcel
on Tue 18 Nov 2008 06:56 PM GMT
Having had the green light from our security department, I'm pleased to announce the launch of the Write to Freedom website at www.writetofreedom.co.uk The website is still in its formative stages, but you can read some testimonials from some of the project's participants at HMP & YOI Ashfield and also hear why leeman15 thinks the project is a great idea. Media interest in the project has also picked up and the BBC are coming to Ashfield next week to discuss filming a feature on the project. Due to potential security issues surrounding the project, if anyone wants to write an article for this blog page then please e-mail it to me at marcel@writetofreedom.co.uk and I'll do my best to get it published. Friday, October 31
First official blog
by
Marcel
on Fri 31 Oct 2008 04:51 PM GMT
Aside from the initial test blog (which was the first time I'd gone anywhere near writing a blog) this is the first 'official' Write to Freedom blog!! I thought I'd use it to document the progress of the WTF group in Ashfield and a little about the writing session I've just had with three of our hardcore students: Kano, Leeman15 and Dingle. Since its start about 8 weeks ago, lethargy, misplaced interest and gym visits have whittled down the original 12 WtF writers to 5; those being, the 3 students named above plus Ginge and Toothless. Today, however, Ginge is nowhere to be seen and Toothless has been shipped out. I'm left with The Crucial 3, and, considering their dedication, that ain't such a bad deal. This was the second session I'd taken with them and I can't get used to the silence as they plough through their stories on the pcs in the bookable IT room. Am I really in a prison? Are these really offenders? I've been working in prisons as an educator for 5 years and I've recently realised something that previously I'd only paid lip service to: these young offenders are people. Individuals. They have made mistakes, but they still nurture hopes and dreams. They're just like me.
Saturday, October 25
|
Favourite blogs
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||