I was serving a second prison sentence when I first heard about Road to Logistics. They had delivered a program in the prison I was in (HMP Hollesley Bay), and I was gutted when I realised I had missed the boat to join that program, so when I was told by one of the prison work coaches that Road to Logistics had come back to ask if there were any residents that would be interested in joining their new program which was funded by Freeports East, I was overjoyed!

I had known for a good few years that I wanted to be a lorry driver, but Covid scuppered my plans and unfortunately, I made a mistake that resulted in a prison sentence. I was determined that I was not going to be another statistic, entering that cycle of re-offending, but when you already have a criminal conviction it is so hard to get any sort of work, let alone one that comes with a salary that allows you to take care of your family. So when I heard that I had been accepted onto the Road to Logistics and Freeports East program I felt like I had a really good shot at getting out of the cycle and creating a new life for myself.

I attended the program whilst still in HMP Hollesley as it is a Category C prison which allows residents to be released on temporary licence to either go to work or training as an example. The course was brilliant. Really well run and well organised. I felt very supported and the trainers made sure the environment was relaxed and we were comfortable to ask questions if we didn’t understand something first time round. I got everything out of it I was expecting and more! I really enjoyed the practical training at Hamiltons too.

The biggest thing I am so grateful for, is that this course and qualification meant that within a couple of weeks of being released from prison, I had secured employment. The Road to Logistics course definitely opened up opportunities for me I would never otherwise had access to.

I am now driving for a scaffolding company. I chose this type of work because I have a young family and I need some work/life balance whilst my kids are still so young. I now have a stable life, my family are over the moon that I am around and leading a normal life and this is how it will always be from now on.

I had such a good experience thanks to Road to Logistics and Freeports East and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the course to anyone.