For me reading and writing was at times a scary experience. I didn't do well in school. It was not until later in life I learned to read and write. In fact, it was in prison that I first knew I needed to do something about it.

‍

I had received a letter from my mum. As hard as I tried I couldn't make sense of it. It was my first time in prison and I felt really embarrassed at being unable to read this letter. It was whilst I was trying to get to grips with what my mum had written in this letter that my cell mate noticed my unease at being unable to read and asked if he could read it out for me. I hesitated for a second, not knowing what had been written but knowing full well that things had not been great between us for a long time.

‍

He read the letter aloud. I heard things my mum had not said to me before. Some good, some not so good but my overwhelming feeling was 'I wish I could have been the one to read those words off the page and felt what she said first-hand.' From that day I started to work with Toe-by-Toe and fast forward till now I'm mentoring with Shannon Trust. Just being able to read a good book takes you out of the prison walls, or to read a letter from someone you love is an amazing, freeing experience. So, I can't thank Shannon Trust enough for making it possible for so many people to experience these things for themselves and long may it continue.