Family and Friends Forum

Request/suggestion: new area(s) of forum

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InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 7:07amReport post

Hi to LFF moderators and all viewers/users of the Forum - sending strength and serenity as ever.

Welcome others' views and thoughts - I would like to suggest the addition of a new main area of the forum (in addition to the existing six), focussed on navigating the stage of all *this* after sentencing and beyond - whatever that looks like for each of us. Suggestions for title include e.g.

- Life after sentencing and beyond

- Building back on the other side

- Navigating the 'new normal'

Would others find that a beneficial space? Input on title also welcome.

Thanks!

Edited Fri November 10, 2023 3:47pm

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 7:16amReport post

Yes . I agree. I home into anything regarding a loved one in custody, having so many unanswered questions.

covering this area would be very helpful.....

'MOVING FORWARD'.........

Edited Sat November 4, 2023 7:18am

Prudence

Member since
October 2023

16 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 8:56amReport post

Great idea. Most post under General Discussion and there is real mix of topic discussions. Topics broken down into stages of this journey to conclusion and beyond will be easier to search and navigate.

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 10:05amReport post

Thank you, Smile, and I think 'Moving forward' is an excellent suggestion, as it is applicable to whatever 'moving forward' involves and entails in each unique and invidual set of circumstances, regardless of stage of the 'journey'.

Hope others share their views on this suggestion too!

Edited Sat November 4, 2023 10:05am

JenJo

Member since
June 2023

57 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 11:04amReport post

I like the titles but you have to wonder if anyone would post in them seeing as 99% of posts go on the discussion thread currently xx

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

766 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 12:22pmReport post

I think this is a great idea. I didn't join the forum until sentencing. I thought I'd feel relieved when it was over but actually felt completely flat once sentencing was done. Joining the forum helped me realise that I wasn't alone in the way I was feeling and the support I received was so helpful.

I agree that most people post in the discussion category but I do make sure I read through all categories.

Caggie164

Member since
October 2023

274 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 12:26pmReport post

I think that's an excellent suggestion x

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 12:46pmReport post

If there's a consensus that this new area would be beneficial, perhaps 'Moving forward after sentencing'

Chelsea 1

Member since
June 2021

891 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 1:51pmReport post

Hiya Tatters.



Good idea hun.



We are moving forward after sentencing. We are 18 months the other side and just taking each day as it comes. Xx

Inthemoment

Member since
February 2023

358 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 2:42pmReport post

I would like this very much. It would also be nice to see more activity in all areas of the forum.

Seaside

Member since
July 2022

560 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 6:38pmReport post

I think this is a brilliant idea we are now 9 months post sentencing and slowly becoming used to the new normal-hearing how others are coping and advice would be really helpful

SummerSun23

Member since
September 2023

21 posts

Posted Sat November 4, 2023 6:55pmReport post

I'm no where near there but I think it's a good idea and I'd welcome the space to see posts about what life afterwards looks like. The strength and resilience here, helps me so much.

Emeraldrose

Member since
August 2021

20 posts

Posted Mon November 6, 2023 8:46amReport post

I think this would be a great idea & most appreciated. My person is currently in prison & knowing what is to come is so daunting. Xx

Mandymoo

Member since
September 2021

295 posts

Posted Mon November 6, 2023 10:11amReport post

It's at great idea. I was naive enough to think we were over the worst once sentencing happened. But I'm overwhelmed with the issues we having to deal with now x

Lucy from Stop it Now!

Member since
September 2018

490 posts

Posted Mon November 6, 2023 1:19pmReport post

Dear InTatters and other forum users,

We read this thread with great interest and think that the suggestion being made about the introduction of a ‘moving forward after sentencing’ section is great, and one we will give serious consideration to. We were wondering whether there is any specific information in relation to this subject that would be helpful to see on the main website e.g. would a loves one’s account of life after sentence be helpful? Are there any particular activities, lifestyle changes, resources, organisations etc. that people have found useful with moving forward, which should be shared? If you have any ideas for this then we can put you in touch with the website team so that you can discuss it further with them. If you are interested, then please contact us at forum@lucyfaithfull.org.uk.

Kind regards,

The Forum Team

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 1:47pmReport post

LFF, the thread started today Our journey from the start til today is the type of content that would sit will in my suggested new area 'Moving forward' will look different for people (whether standing by the person in their life, not standing by them, positive experiences, challenging experiences, practical information, managing emotional aspects etc...). Waiting for sentencing in this hideous life event is a unique form of torture.

Sentencing (whatever the outcome) is not the end, but it is the beginning of the end....

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 1:47pmReport post

LFF, the thread started today Our journey from the start til today is the type of content that would sit will in my suggested new area 'Moving forward' will look different for people (custodial/community sentence, whether standing by the person in their life, not standing by them, positive experiences, challenging experiences, practical information, managing emotional aspects etc...). Waiting for sentencing in this hideous life event is a unique form of torture.

Sentencing (whatever the outcome) is not the end, but it is the beginning of the end....

Edited Fri November 10, 2023 3:47pm

SAL

Member since
December 2021

895 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 3:00pmReport post

I also think this would be a helpful section. My experience to date has been supporting someone in prison and trying to find information related to support he should receive and the different assessments that are completed and how and who use these - As far as I am aware my person has only had a OASys report but it's not clear how this should be used.

Other examples where I think it would be helpful to have more information on would be the role of the prison offender manager, community offender manager etc.

What the Offender should expect whilst in prision for example a sentencing plan (and what this may look like) and a key worker.

The different types of prision - There are VP wings in prision but also SO prision.

What should happen in preparation for release.

There is a lot that I still don't know about - Living life of the SOR and with a SHPO. Applying to get the SHPO removed. Living life on license.

Help with employment and housing in release, perhaps information on other charities that might be able to help and support offenders and their families through a prison sentence - PACT, Partners of Prision.

I would be happy to join a call to discuss ideas.

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 3:29pmReport post

So many great ideas ladies xx

I agree with all the topics raised, deffinatly more information on prison and after x

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 4:03pmReport post

Reading others' comments, perhaps there is scope for two new areas:

1) Moving forward after sentencing

2) Custodial sentence - practicalities and personal experience (suggested titles welcome!)



Thanks all!

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 4:03pmReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Fri November 10, 2023 4:04pm

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 4:59pmReport post

Living with loved ones in prison x

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 5:18pmReport post

Thanks Upset, while of course many people who commit these offences are still loved by those around them, I think perhaps it's best to avoid the term 'loved one'. As we know from participants of this forum, the perpetrator is not necessarily always still 'loved' by impacted family and friends. However these impacted people still experience significant repercussions and can and will benefit from the support and experience shared here. In general, perhaps a more neutral term, e.g. 'person in your life' is more universally applicable. Although there are of course lots of 'loved ones' too.

How about: Prison: life on the outside with a person inside

Edited Fri November 10, 2023 5:22pm

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Fri November 10, 2023 5:40pmReport post

InTatters x

Totally understand x and definitely the right title x there is no right or wrong in what each choose to do, but having a broader understanding of prison is paramount xx