As a man shunned by most friends and some family I craved for some healthy connections after jail. After the loss of my marriage and then limited access to my 2 sons, I succumbed to the grief solution of drugs, leading to addiction and subsequently offending behaviour. What few friends I had remaining were not the type of people I wanted to now mix with. I lacked healthy connection and mates. It was COVID, I was isolated and jobless – and now a criminal record for armed robbery.
Fortunate to have housing I still didn’t want to live. I didn’t know what I wanted. Looking back, it was connection. Connection to people who weren’t there to pity me, nor patronise me. People who could identify with me.
A report from 2018 on The Health of Australian Prisoners had post release statistics of 54% not knowing where they would live, 78% unsure of where they would work and 37% having “diagnosed” mental health related issues. Statistically, lack of friends and family. No healthy and genuine connections to fall back on.
In this presentation I will tell you about a program I developed with WISE Employment, called WISE UP (Unleash Potential), to connect people with healthy peer-to-peer support, overcome life barriers and move towards sustainable employment and a sense of purpose and self-esteem. Of 120 who completed the program only 2 have re-offended, 84% self-assessed to have improved their social connection, 86% have said the program was worthwhile and over 10% have found employment[1].
With a team of expert recruiters, peer support and facilitation by those with Lived Experience in drug abuse and crime and group sessions we have created something that helps develop connection and give to others what I needed most when I got out.
Presenters
Mr Stu Holmes
– Program Lead WISE UP (Ex Offenders) / Founder (Advocacy for Those Exiting Jail), WISE Employment / Green Collar, Australia
As founder of The Greeen Collar over two years ago I have a combination of Lived Experience (Jail, mental health, addiction, loss of access to my children) and 20 years Recruitment and more recently AOD Restorative Justice company Director. Now lead Program Facilitator and Designer of WISE UP – a program to assist the “EXOF” (Ex-Offender) cohort WISE Employmen has as one of their key cohorts as their contract with Victorian Government (and Workforce Australia).
As company Director for one of Australia’s leading recruitment agencies, SMAART Recruitment, from 2005-2015 life was booming. But constant alcohol misuse led to a marriage a break down, resulting in poor choices, grief, drug addiction and other mental health issues as a result of limited child access and a career going down the drain.
Ultimately, in 2019 I committed and Armed Robbery and spent 9 months in jail. It was then die, or live. Choosing to live The Green Collar was born (in Fulham Correctional Centre). As a contrast to Blue Collar (Trades and Working class traditional work), or White Collar (corporate) The Green Collar was our uniform and was designed as a Prison Job to assist other inmates with resume, interview skills and confidence upon exiting.
Now, 4 years on, clean and sober and appearing on many Podcasts and speaking appearances Stu is recognised by the Talent community and ex-offender advocacy space as someone with a voice. WISE Employment has given the Green Collar and Stu a platform for some great work.
