Celebrating 25 years of peer-led learning

In the time spent being a Shannon Trust mentor, I've gained an immense feeling of satisfaction, helping others that have found it difficult to read or pronounce certain words, and also help others progress with a better understanding of words. It has personally given me the motivation and focus while serving time in prison.

What impact has Shannon Trust had on my time in prison? Quality, excellence, faith, belief, patience, discipline, consistency, respect, humour, dignity, integrity, rectitude, equality, fairness, justice, liberty, humanity, substance, resilience, confidence, courage, precision, eloquence, etiquette, impeccable - the power of the pen.

I love the eureka moment on learners' faces when they 'get it'. Professionally, the best thing I have ever done. It helps my pride and self esteem.

I am a Shannon Trust mentor, I am also a coordinator, and guide the other mentors on my wing. They in turn mentor people who need assistance with their reading skills or mathematics. The feedback from the learners makes me swell with pride knowing my efforts have changed people's lives. I look forward to my learners turning up who are eager to change their life. I feel good when my learners finish their manuals, and always receive good feedback. I look forward to continuing with Shannon Trust for many years to come. I was informed that one particular learner on release was able to get a job because of his ability to read. Without it he would be signing on today.

The progress our prisoners make is nothing short of amazing. Seeing men enter the prison unable to read or write, then complete the programme and gain the confidence and skills to write a letter home, demonstrates the life-changing impact of education. Thank you, Shannon Trust.

Learning keeps life interesting. Learning was always a chore in school, but as an adult it has turned into a pleasure. As a Shannon Trust facilitator, I often work with learners who had bad experiences in school. After completing Turning Pages, I get to see them start to love learning too. Whether that's enjoying a book in the library, or researching something that's interested them, they have the freedom to reclaim the wonder of learning.

So much time has elapsed in passing on words to people I displaced, unable to find their safe space, to fathom a message in its truest meaning and yet here I am, having lost my own ability to see truth from fiction, has come full circle to realise that without a purpose I will not be. In more ways, Shannon Trust has led me to this being. A remorseful self.

Serving as a programme facilitator at my local prison restored my belief in the power of rehabilitative services. Our trained mentors supported hundreds of learners to take their first steps toward literacy, in turn empowering them to make more positive, informed life choices. This is rehabilitation in action: one page at a time, making a tangible difference. The Shannon Trust is an exceptional organisation, and its vital work within prison walls deserves immense recognition.

Learning keeps life interesting. Learning was always a chore in school, but as an adult it has turned into a pleasure. As a Shannon Trust facilitator, I often work with learners who had bad experiences in school. After completing Turning Pages, I get to see them start to love learning too. Whether that's enjoying a book in the library, or researching something that's interested them, they have the freedom to reclaim the wonder of learning.

Shannon Trust is so fulfilling as you see prisoners who can't read or write improve week-on-week. It is such a simple concept to many of us that we take for granted, but for others it is an everyday barrier. There is nothing better than seeing a person read their first letter from family, or even just doing their own menu. For the eight years I've been doing Shannon Trust as a mentor, I've enjoyed every minute.

I used to support Shannon Trust as a prison teacher and then I ended up working for you for 4 years. I love your ethos and I have seen many times the powerful work that you do.

Learning has allowed me to grow as a person. To see things from a new perspective. To delve deeper into subject matter and find joy as my own learning from helping others deepens. It has allowed me to challenge myself and become resilient when I have wanted to give up. It is now a constant in my life that I embrace.

Stepping into a mentor role has helped me use some of the skills I'd learned on the outside. I've worked with two learners since February. There's been steady upward progression for both. One learner attributed Shannon Trust to him passing his Level 1 English exam. Helping support someone get to that was a great feeling. You can be proud of what you've done for them.