Rebuilding lives

Youth crime is never far away from the headlines, but a Hull man is showing how young offenders can be given help to change their ways.

From building site to building lives: former scaffolder Gary Power

After 26 years in the construction industry, Gary Power felt the time was right for a new challenge. The former scaffolder is still building – but it has nothing to do with bricks, mortar or scaffolding poles.
Instead he's helping young people build better futures - as a volunteer mentor with Hull's Youth Offending Team.

He spends about two hours a week with a 17-year-old Hull lad, who through the influence of alcohol and a bad choice of friends, took part in an assault and ended up with a criminal record.
"It's all about creating a rapport," says Gary. "I don't try to take the place of a parent, but as a mentor, I'm there to be an appropriate adult and provide a positive role model for the lad.
"We have a common interest – going down to the gym – so that's one of the main ways we pass the time. Lifting weights and just talking about whatever is on his mind.
"I've also been trying to encourage him to find more interests, get a better circle of friends, and really get involved more in society in a positive and useful way. "At the moment he's having a few thoughts about work and his future career direction, so I've also been trying to encourage him to go to college and get some qualifications to help him achieve his goals.
"Some people might feel daunted by the thought of volunteering in this kind of way – especially with young people with 'issues' - but I can recommend it. "It takes time to strike a rapport, but once it's there you can enjoy it and have a laugh and all the while you are doing something constructive.
"All I'm trying to do is give the lad some advice and create a change that will be of benefit to him and, as a result, the people of Hull, if I can help him turn his back on offending – for good."

Youth Offending Panels

Gary also has an additional volunteering role with the Youth Offending Team as a member of the Youth Offender Panel.
Young people who have been through youth courts and have a first criminal conviction have to then go before the panel, which has the job of making the decision about how the young person takes responsibility for their crime and repairs the harm caused.
"We are given reports about the young people and then we talk to them and their parents," adds Gary.
"We look for signs of remorse and a willingness to change, and then we decide on a course of action, which could include the young person writing a letter of apology to a victim, or carrying out unpaid work in the community.
"You have to go into this kind of voluntary work with an open mind and not be judgemental against the young people brought before you."
"They may have convictions for shoplifting, taking cars without consent, burglary, sexual offences, criminal damage, or assaults, it could be anything really.
"One by one, person by person, case by case, we are trying to make a difference and do what we can to reduce youth crime in Hull."

Switching the day job

But Gary's work with young people goes a lot further than volunteering.
In a complete change from the construction industry, he now works as a care officer for Hull City Council, working with vulnerable children and young people at the Sutton Place Safe Centre.
"I just reached the point where I felt I needed a change," says the father-of-two, from Sutton.
"After taking some time out and examining my options, I started working with children and young people.
That was about four years ago and I've never looked back."
He is also studying at the University of Lincoln in George Street, for a degree in social work.