CFO3 Achieve Programme

Aaron was receiving high doses of methadone and struggling with life when he first met his Achieve mentor in prison. As the sessions continued, Aaron confided that he felt extremely depressed, anxious and alone. He also felt that he had let his family down and was fearful of his ability to move forward with his life.

“It’s our job to establish what our clients believe about themselves, their place in the world and what future they envision for themselves. We then work to break down those barriers and beliefs that prevent them moving forward positively with their lives” – Aaron’s Achieve Mentor.

Aaron talked about how abuse he experienced as a child had made him feel worthless. He also felt abandoned by his father. He felt that his offending behaviour in his teenage years was a means to get some much-needed attention. Aaron’s mentor helped him to work through other difficult life events, including his attempts to take his own life.

A turning point in the mentoring was when Aaron realised that the resilience he had built up to survive his past could be used to take him forward into the future, and that he was capable of contributing to society again.

Aaron’s methadone intake is now significantly reduced. He has become a mentor on his prison wing and has been signed off by mental health services.

“There’s a light at the end of the tunnel now. I’m working towards finding something that makes me feel like I have a purpose, like when I’m doing my job on the wing and when I’m helping other people. I’m looking forward to a different life when I get out” – Aaron

Max is approaching his release from prison and has been engaging in the Achieve programme: “There is often a lot of negativity in prison and this can affect your attitude if you allow it to… I have become much more positive about my present situation and also about the future. I have learnt that there are good elements to even the worst days.”

“Salford Foundation has helped me to focus my plans for the future. I am very much hoping to find work upon release but was unsure in what field… I now have a more definitive pathway.”

“(They) assisted me in understanding some of the things that led to my offending and helped me to develop strategies to deal with future problems. Before working with Salford Foundation, I felt that I had very little emotional or psychological support. I now feel more prepared and optimistic for my future.”