“The MVMF’s donation towards Fine Cell Work’s website is giving us the chance to be really creative in driving and extending our message about the difficulties of our current prison system and the huge potential of offenders – it is this kind of visionary grant-making that is needed!”
Katy Emck, Director – Fine Cell Work
“I started painting simple cards, copying and drawing, to distract from my darkness, and also to send to my sons as prison wages were my only form of income. I was told I had talent, but it was hard to believe. I didn’t understand because I had very low self worth and my confidence was non existent. Art has become my passion. It has helped me to cope with prison and the sentence.”
Jasmine, HMP Send, founder member of the Michael Varah Artist in Residence Scheme, run by Watts Gallery
“An award from The Michael Varah and Jim Higgins Award for Excellence can make a significant difference to a resident’s journey to becoming independent and may be instrumental in life changing decisions. It is an opportunity for residents to consider possibilities that previously were unavailable due to limited/restricted funding.”
Caroline Ward, Chief Executive – Mayday Trust 2010
“This award was so helpful. It is nice to know that people can see how far I’d come and rewarded that effort and this has given me the confidence to try harder and the commitment to succeed. I don’t want to spoil my award and let people down by not completing the course. My life has turned around since then and I can hardly believe how much I’ve changed!”
Paul was homeless and trying hard to address his drug addiction. Via the MVMF Mayday Award scheme, he received £500 towards course fees to become a plumber.
“After a huge amount of organisation and support from the MVMF, the day of the big match between Pitstop Wanderers and the MVMF charity team dawned. The game kicked off on the superb turf of Motspur Park – Fulham FC’s training ground. The game was played in a great competitive spirit and ended in a 3 – 2 win for Pitstop Wanderers, much to their delight. The day was rounded off by lunch and drinks for both teams at a local tavern, again generously provided by the MVMF. It really was a day to remember for the lads who have simply never been able to experience anything like that before – in fact they haven’t stopped talking about it since!”
Helen Dean, Pitstop Wanderers Manager
“I first offended at age eight. It was normal where we came from. I’m 41 and I’ve been in and out of prison for 30 years. I never achieved anything in prison – I vegetated in my cell, not doing much except for getting into trouble. Then a woman came to the prison wanting to train prisoners to help other prisoners with housing problems. My tutor realised that sometimes I needed things explained repeatedly and that my confidence was low. As I progressed I became confident. I started to believe in myself. I saw I could help other people. I had finally found something meaningful, which was enjoyable and kept me out of trouble. Had I not taken part, I would probably still be offending, because I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t notice the change whilst it was happening, but now I see how far I’ve come.”
Bill, who took part in the MVMF (part) funded ‘Straight to Work’ project run by St Giles Trust
