This is Gemma's Story

 "Ever since the age of six we have lived in temporary accommodation. We've moved 14 times so far, mainly because of my dad's life of crime and sometimes to escape his violent abuse towards us, but if we got away he would hunt us down and terrify us all, despite having a restraining order.

 When I was 10, Pop forced me and my brother to smoke cannabis. He taught me how to be a look out for his crimes and to hot wire a car and steal it.

My dad said I had to stay home to spy on mum and it was me who looked after my brothers and sister. I missed three years of school and all my GCSE's.

In 2007, the Youth Offending Team put me on the All ‘Bout Me programme, at Eco-Actif. I met Amanda and Gifford who helped me to understand right from wrong and I've now got my own opinion. I learned that I was repressed by a life of constant violence and abuse.

I am now doing a youth work course and I'm helping Amanda and Gifford with their workshops by telling young
people my story to help divert them from a life of crime."

SLF awarded a significant grant to Eco-Actif to fund workshops, including one for girls-only, supporting people in the criminal justice system