In this episode, Zak and Jules sit down with Ian Thomas to talk about his experience of the care system, and his journey from care to addiction, prison and recovery. In the first part of this incredible conversation, Ian shares the story of how he was first arrested aged 10.5, and talks about how his addiction began.

If you’re struggling with your mental health and you need support today, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123 any time of the day or night. If you are watching this on a content hub laptop, please visit the Health and Wellbeing link at the top of your screen for more information about mental health support or speak to a Listener in your jail.

Please know that you are not alone, you matter and there are people out there who can help you.

Organisations mentioned:

The Rees Foundation: https://www.reesfoundation.org/ Number to call Mon-Fri 9-5: 0330 094 5645

The Forward Trust https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/

The Care Leavers Covenant https://mycovenant.org.uk/

The Care Leavers Association https://www.careleavers.com/

Other organisations that you may find helpful:

Support with Your Mental Health:

CALM – https://www.thecalmzone.net/

CALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight)

Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/

Samaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours)

MIND – https://www.mind.org.uk

MIND Infoline number – 0300 123 3393 (provides an information and signposting service. Open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday except for bank holidays.)

SHOUT – text for free any time on 85258 – https://giveusashout.org/

NHS Mental Health Services – https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/menta...

Together – https://www.together-uk.org/

Turning Point – https://www.turning-point.co.uk/servi...

Rethink – https://www.rethink.org/

If you’re a woman, these orgs can help direct you to a women's centre which is a great place to find all kinds of support:

Women In Prison – https://womeninprison.org.uk/

Advance/Minerva – https://www.advancecharity.org.uk/

Support with Addiction and Recovery:

Humankind – https://humankindcharity.org.uk/drug-...

Breaking Free/Change Grow Live – https://www.changegrowlive.org/

Kaleidoscope – https://kaleidoscope68.org/

Turning Point – https://www.turning-point.co.uk/suppo...

Nelson Trust – https://www.nelsontrust.com/

We Are With You – https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

Apps:

Lower My Drinking – https://www.lowermydrinking.com/postcode

Drink Coach – https://drinkcoach.org.uk/download-dr...

NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drin...

Contact us:

If anything you’ve heard in today’s episode that has helped you, or if you just want to get in touch, please do.

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter

📧 Email us: [email protected]

✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/