Stories

Kevin's story demonstrates the impact of compassionate, person-centred support and the difference it can make when someone is given the opportunity to move forward with dignity, confidence and hope.

Steve from the Shrubbery shares how finding a safe place to live and people who believe in him helped him rebuild his confidence and move forward.

It's been a long road, but I'm settled now.

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

I’m so thankful because if it wasn’t for staff and what they did to help me, then I wouldn’t be here now.

Michael shares about his experience of being sentenced and going to prison, how a seed of faith from childhood started to flourish, and how he uses his time now in service of others.

The love I’ve got from here. It was unreal. It’s something that... well I’ve never experienced that kind of respect.

Even if I can help one person in this world, I can be happy knowing I prevented one person from going down the road I went down in life

The night before I met our chaplain I was going to throw a towel in with my life. I was done, and I had planned it…

The staff are such lovely people and it just makes you feel comfortable… It's like a sort of sense of family…

This is the best place I’ve ever been in. They are nice people, they do lots for you, and help you and keep you out of trouble.

It’s that peace of mind, its that cleanliness from drugs, it’s that warm hug… it’s forgiveness.

They’ve been there to talk to me, and listen to what my problem is… They’re very supportive in that way, which means a lot to me.

I used to have a lot of trust issues from my childhood… so seeing all these people who want to help you was a bit like, ‘What's going on here?’

This is what I believe, I don’t deserve a second chance, I don’t deserve to be happy… and Langley here, make you feel like you do.

I’ve essentially been institutionalised my entire life with no real freedom or ability to make decisions for myself.

Kadesh is one of the few services within Langley who can offer support to both males and females with convictions. We caught up with Jenny* one of our clients who has kindly shared with us some of her experiences of life and moving to Kadesh.

I want to mentor young people, who are getting into gangs and crime. Even if I can save just one of them – there is a lot of damage that one kid can cause, not just to himself but the whole area and families.