Life after prison

Martin's story

"The encourgament I received when I first came to Hestia helped me to believe in myself. I've come so far"

Growing up in London, Martin began using drugs in his teens. Before long, he was committing burglaries to pay for drugs, and received his first custodial sentence when he was 17.

Martin says: “I was so caught up in drugs that I couldn’t see the damage I was doing to myself and my family.” During his last prison sentence, he ad access to a drug treatment programme. It left him with the determination never to serve another day in prison.

He came to live at one of Hestia’s projects through a referral from the Probation Service. He had no qualifications, no work history, and few friends who were not linked to his drug use and offending life. His Hestia support worker helped him to find permanent housing, and to find a place on a plumbing course at a local college.

Martin says: “The encouragement I received when I first came to Hestia helped me to believe in myself. I’ve come so far. I’ve got a place of my own and I’m training for a trade that I really enjoy.”