The ID Essence Experts Board is made up of individuals who have been supported by ID Essence during their time in the criminal justice system who want to make a difference.
The aim of the board is to help shape ID Essence as a project, to help make it the best it can be.
Our fantastic experts do this by sharing their thoughts, feedback and ideas with the ID Essence team during Board Meetings, which take place online every two months.
Over the coming years the Board will guide ID Essence in key areas such as; what our activities we focus on, the language we use to talk about our work and the young adults we support, new initiatives we set up and what campaigning and advocacy we get involved in.
Kay
My experience with the criminal justice was a lot of ups and downs, I used the time to work on myself and understand my mental health. Although prison still affected my mental wellbeing I used that time to learn new experiences and take them out with me and attend all my appointments as coming into prison with pre-existing mental conditions was not the best thing for me.
I wanted to be on the expert board as it massively helps me to reflect on my life and the challenges that I faced. It will help us to improve the lives of other females in the criminal justice system as every one’s story can make a difference and improve the services that are provided.
Assy
My name is Assy and I was in prison for 38months. I've enjoyed working with ID Essence throughout my sentence as it helped me cope with the difficulties I was facing whilst in custody. I wanted to be on the experts board to share my experience and past struggles so that it can help young females on their journey.
Hannah
My name is Hannah and I experienced the criminal justice system during the COVID pandemic. It was a very scary uncertain time. I want to help other women who have experienced the criminal justice system. Without ID Essence, the journey would have been so much harder.
If you are someone who has been supported by ID Essence and want to have a positive impact on the work we do at ID Essence and to be part of shaping the support we give people in prison and the community for the better, then this could be the opportunity for you!
To apply either let your ID Essence Worker know or email Jo - jo@idessence.org
We would love to hear from you!