Steve was deported from the USA and supported by our resettlement team. He talks about his experience volunteering in a charity shop as he rebuilt his life and looked for work - and how this helped him overcome feelings of institutionalism and isolation along the way. Steve submitted this piece for our recent service user newsletter in the hopes of encouraging others to explore volunteering opportunities on their return to the UK after prison.

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“After getting settled in my new accommodation, I spent days just walking the area and getting to know the neighbourhood. I took time to find the best shopping stores and spent some time looking around second-hand shops.

I was trying to establish a routine because after being incarcerated and institutionalised, I was a little lost with all my freedom, so I established my own routine to get back into future readiness for employment.

I started asking in second hand stores if they needed volunteers and was offered a Saturday-only warehouse/ shop floor role. My first thought was to check this with the DWP to keep them informed. This is because you have to do a certain amount of searching for work opportunities to be able to continue claiming Universal Credit. I was told volunteer work did count towards a job search.

I started assisting one day a week and was soon asked if I could add Sunday to my routine. The job consisted of simple tasks with no pressure and it turned out to be fun. I established a nice part-time work routine and looked forward to the days when I worked for 3 to 4 hours.

I assisted in the backroom (referred to as the warehouse), hung clothes on rails. did general organising and other tasks that the full-time staff had little time to get to. I also had the opportunity to speak to the security staff, who were outsourced from another company, to learn moreabout their work opportunities and pay.

Overall the experience was a positive one. I made contacts, found it easy to get into a work rhythm and every time the store had a sale, I got first choice on

the products I wanted. I was told to put what I wanted to one side for the last day of sale when everything is sold at £1.50. I was able to get 10 items for £15, and added shoes, jackets and clothes to my wardrobe. I also kept my Universal Credit journal updated each week, with positive additions.

Overall it was a nice feeling of being active and helping the community. I would definitely recommend trying to volunteer, because it helps you get in a positive mindset. The smallest accomplishments can improve your overall wellbeing.

Now I have started training as a bike mechanic with XO bikes* but I am still volunteering on Sundays, because it has turned out to be a task that's fun.

*XO Bikes is one of our partner organisations training people with convictions to learn bike mechanic skills and supporting them to get a job on release from prison.

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Offering a guiding hand

Prisoners Abroad supports people who return to the UK after prison; we find them somewhere to stay, provide grants for food and travel, and help them take the vital steps to a new life.

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