Women's Work - "Holloway" Screening
On Friday night I was absolutely delighted to be invited by Sarah to take part in the Q and A after a screening of "Holloway". She is one of six strong resilient women who tell it like it is in this documentary that will hopefully help the wider public understand why women go to prison.
We met Sarah at the last Employment Day we held in Holloway Prison in 2015. Myself, and my daughter, and AFC Director, Rosie Skinner, were drawn to the young woman who made us laugh as she told us about her culinary skills " Cooking in a kettle”.
We could see she was really interested in food as a career. We had been promoting the Jamie Oliver apprenticeship before the event and that’s what Sarah had in mind. We didn’t have much time that day and Rosie went back in later. She sat on Sarah’s bed completing the application and accompanying paperwork. Well Sarah got an interview, like three days after release, and beat a lot of competition to be awarded a place. God knows this wasn't without its challenges. Squatters had wrecked her flat and stolen all her possessions. She was dealing with other financial, practical and emotional issues but she persevered and went on to be crowned Apprentice of the Year. Sarah went on to work in some of the top UK restaurants and was doing amazingly well before Covid hit.
We've never lost touch with Sarah. She has advised and educated us as much as we helped her navigate the labour market.
We come from a base of trauma informed practice but we believe women should decide if employment is right for them and that support services, particularly psychotherapy, should be available for all women, not just those struggling to exist on benefit.
Today Sarah is without doubt an amazing chef and amazing mother. The next step will be launching her own food business.
Sara has gone from Jobseeker to friend and advisor of A Fairer Chance, as well as a source of new referrals.
Sarah, like many of our alumni, tell us over and over again that their goal is financial freedom. They don’t want to rely on benefits or a man!
We continue to grow our work with women. I was delighted to have representatives from #Veolia and #Cadent with me on the night. Two companies who take the same approach as AFC when sourcing and recruiting women for a whole variety of jobs.
The only thing we are lacking is any core funding from MOJ/HMPPS to support us.
We are currently seeking charitable funds in order that we can continue our work.
Finally, the film is playing at Picture Houses across the country. Details on their website.
Anybody interested in understanding more about why women end up in prison, and just what they can and do achieve, really should get themselves along to see it.
