Ross - Langley Trust

Ross recently moved to the Knole after first spending time with the House of St Martin. He shares what life has been like for with Langley and the significance of learning to express his feelings through poetry has had on him.

When I landed at the House of St Martin, for me it was about building confidence and self-esteem. I had to learn to love myself and forgive myself from my past, and also learn to trust others, to be more supportive of others and not just think about myself.

It was good for me there but it was time to move on. I’m now at the Knole and I’m loving it. I wanted to continue moving forward and to continue building a more positive and a happier life.

Read more below and watch Ross tell his story in his own words in this video.

What has life been like since moving to the Knole?

I’ve done loads here. I go to a weekly disco for people with learning disabilities and mental health. I’ve been on some trips, I went to see Robot Wars Extreme. Last night I went to an outdoor light show, which just blew me away – I’d never experienced anything like that in my life.

Staff here have been fantastic. I’ve been into town by myself on a bus now – which was nerve wracking because I had to get used to getting on and off the bus. But staff supported me with it. At the moment they’re supporting me with money management.

It feels like it did at House of St Martin – it’s like a family.

What has helped you to grow in confidence and learn to love yourself?

Well I became the house rep for my service and I went to NCG*. They did a prayer there and spoke about God. Even though I’m religious I had kept that side quite private. But when I was there it touched me in a way that I wasn’t expecting it to touch me.

When that happened that’s when I knew that it was my time to just be me. It gave me that strength to think about other people and to support others. It made me think about God more and to pray more for others and bad things I’d seen on TV.

Tell us about why poetry has been so important for you

I first learned how to write poetry when I went to a creative class in prison. I started to write a story and some words came into my head and it sounded more like a poem than a story. It was a lot to do with mental health side of things and to express myself. Back then I wasn’t so good at talking about how I felt so I would write it in a poem.

Then when I went up for parole, I was asked to write a poem about the past, present, and future and I can tell you that one if you like. The reason I remember my poems is I use them every day as a way of dealing with stress, depression and things like that. This one’s called When Doors Open Up.

When Doors Open Up, and others have given up
time for something better, but I will not give up.

I will get there one day if I’m given a chance.
To show what I’ve learned and I won’t ever give up.

I know that I am different to others that have tried
To move on past if only given a chance.

I will have the right support upon release
With my family by my side, social workers alike.
Not only probation but staff working by my side.

So if you did believe in me, just like I have to believe in the system
That one day my time will come when I can work with everyone

I’ve always been motivated to share what I have done
And to go through it with someone.

So I’m now asking to be given a chance
To start a new future and to have a fresh start.

I will do what it takes to make it on the other side of the gate
To reassure you all with the best intentions put in place.

Thank you for all listening to me.
I wish you a very happy day.

What’s next for you?

I’m looking to go rock climbing again, which will be my second time. I’m scared of heights, but it’s a way of building trust within a working relationship and also learning new ways to cope in different situations. The other thing that I’m going to be doing is to see my family more.

I’m just going to continue moving forward. Continue building confidence and self-esteem.

*National Consultative Group – client representatives from each service meet regularly with each other and with Langley leadership to provide feedback from their services.

Read this story and more in the Spring 2026 edition of Breakout.

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