Barriers to education- See the person not the offence

UPDATE

Hello everyone

today i had a meeting with my principle and he was very positive. the college will support me anyway they can and i am aloud to continue with my education and now go on the placement i was denied.

i am so happy i cant even put it into words.

i will post futher comments later on i just thought i would pop on quickly and share this amazing news. everyone that signed and shared my petition thank you so much for your support i couldnt have done this without you all.

i am so emotional right now so cant think of what to write other than thank you. i will continue to fight for people with an offending back round to break down the barriers i faced. the last week has been so stressfull but i can finally look foward to my future again.

you are all wonderful thank you so much for supporting me god bless you all.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE.... WE DID IT WOOOHOOOOOOOO

DAILY RECORD TOMORROW

Aw I remember this feeling well had it before I went on scotnight and Scotland tonight back in January, I feel sick, sweating, freezing and I'm never going to sleep tonight. But I believe I have to stand up for myself why should I be marginalised and not aloud to finish my course,

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS THE REGRET AND REMORSE FOR THE OFFENCE I DID ALL THOSE YEARS AGO – I WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON.

I SERVED MY SENTENCE, MADE AMENDS, CHANGED MYSELF.

I HAVE GOT MYSELF OUT OF CRIME,
CHANGED MY FRIENDS
CHANGED MY ENVIRONMENT,
CHANGED MY LIFE

BUT STILL I AM BROUGHT BACK EVERY TIME TO 2002.

I AM TRYING TO MOVE MYSELF OUT OF POVERTY – I’M TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR MY SON – SO HIS LIFE IS DIFFERENT.

BUT IT SEEMS THAT I AM SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE – FOR THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

I WANT TO CHANGE MY LIFE, BE A BETTER VERSION OF MYSELF.
I WANT TO GO TO UNIVERSITY, I WANT A DEGREE, I WANT A JOB WHERE I CAN SUPPORT MYSELF, PAY TAX AND BE PART OF SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

EVERYONE TALKS OF SOCIAL MOBILITY – BUT WHEN EVERYTHING IS PULLING YOU BACK, NO WONDER PEOPLE CANT CREATE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES.

I’VE GIVEN UP EVERYTHING FOR THIS CHANCE – I COULD HAVE STAYED OR WENT ON BENEFITS, I GAVE UP MY FULL TIME JOB TO PERSUE THIS CAREER BUT I FELT IT WAS WORTH GETTING LESS MONEY AT COLLEGE – BUT I KNEW I WAS INVESTING IN THE FUTURE.

IF WE REALLY WANT TO CHANGE SCOTLAND, IF WE WANT TO MAKE IT BEETER FOR OUR KIDS, THEN LET ME BE PART OF SOMETHING, LET ME WORK, LET ME PAY TAX, LET ME BE JUST LIKE YOU.

“I DON’T BLAME MY COLLEGE, THEY JUST FOLLOW SOCIETY, AND SOCIETY ID RISK AVERSE, WE NEED TO CHANGE PROCESSES AND ALLOW OUR ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE A CHANCE ON PEOPLE WHO’VE CHANGED AND WHO ARE FAR AWAY FROM THEIR OLD LIVES.

Thank you

Hello everyone,

Firstly I like to thank you all so much for all the support. I am overwhelmed at how many signatures, shares and lovely messages I have received in such a short space of time.I find it really hard to express myself on this matter as I feel like it has been a never ending cycle of disappointments the last few years and the only thing that keeps me strong is the love I have for my son and my determination not to fail him and give him the life he deserves. I always get within reaching distance like everything is going well then out of the blue my past haunts me and I'm back again having to fight and prove I'm not the person people assume I am because of my behaviour when I was at the lowest points of my life.

My heart is pounding out my chest as I write this as I am terrified of what the outcome of this can be but I know I have to stand up for myself, I'm so tired of being rejected because of my past why Am I still doing a sentence for offences I committed when I was seriously off the rails, my life wasn't easy, I made really bad choices and I will never excuse anything I've no excuses I own every single thing I ever did wrong and I'm deeply sorry to anyone my behaviour ever affected. I have learned from my mistakes and turned my life around is that not what matters?? When am I aloud to just be Kim in the here and now?? Not Kim the ex offender, why can't I get an education or job without facing barriers??  I am enough, I have the right to just be Kim and not have the past hang over me for the rest of my life. And nither should anyone else. I did my sentences but it feels like I am doing life with the past and I want out of this prison of being rejected and judged I am not my crimes! 

I will keep everyone posted on my journey please keep sharing and help me get to go on placement and finish my course! I really believe convictions spent should be automatic wiped off pvgs I believe if there is no bars or restrictions on your pvg then employers or college/university should not get to see your convictions! The Pvg  is to protect vaunrable groups so who's protecting us once we have paid back our debt to society and if we are not a risk to anyone? We are people that made mistakes that's all. Thank you all so much again from the bottom of my heart I will reply to you all if I can ❤️ I didn't realise I had to be logged in to reply so please bare with me.

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