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Feature Item:
A taste of success for prison officer
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
A HIGH-QUALITY training restaurant in jail and cheap business units for young people are just two projects set up by prison officer Kate Quigley-Ruby in her spare time.
The tireless 51-year-old works 70 hours a week, mainly with inmates and ex-offenders, to ensure they do not go on to commit more crime.
Her passion and energy has seen her nominated for an Our Heroes award, established by this newspaper to highlight the achievements of South Londoners.
Kate said: “I probably work about 70 hours a week, with my day job and voluntary work combined.
“I do it because I’m passionate that any one of us could be a victim of crime in some way or other, unless we mobilise the community to get involved in rehabilitating those people who will come out and behave just as badly.
“I can say this with experience because I work with them inside.”
Kate’s job with the National Offenders Management Service sees her working closely with the prison service and probation service to resettle inmates on their release from jail.
Two years ago and in her free time, Kate – who splits her time between Streatham and Scotland – set up The Clink, a restaurant offering work experience to people doing time in High Down prison, Sutton.
Kate raised £350,000 in a year to set it up and it was the focus of a BBC documentary series in April.
Young people are given training in cooking high-quality food and a chance to meet top restaurateurs, who often recruit chefs after visiting for a meal. Outside of jail and nearer to home, she launched Change Up in St Anselm’s Church Hall, Kennington Road, Kennington, providing low-cost business premises for mainly young people and ex-offenders.
She said: “Some of the businesses have been set up by ex-offenders. “They have been running successful businesses for the past year, in tailoring, fashion, PR and digital media.
“I raise the money by just writing to people and applying for grants.
“Because of The Clink and other stuff I’ve done within prisons, a lot of charities trust their money will be well spent and I will get things done.”
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Monday, 20 May 2013
Other Our Heroes Awards 2011:
Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list - Tuesday, 01/Nov/2011
Proving kids can be good citizens - Tuesday, 11/Oct/2011
We keep on caring when state stops - Friday, 30/Sep/2011
Friends to ‘needy’ - Wednesday, 28/Sep/2011
Actor’s dedication to common touch - Friday, 23/Sep/2011
Shakespeare actor has common touch - Wednesday, 21/Sep/2011
‘I know my son will become blind’ - Friday, 16/Sep/2011
Son’s illness inspires mum - Wednesday, 14/Sep/2011
A taste of success for prison officer - Tuesday, 13/Sep/2011
Nine-year-old raises £200k for park - Friday, 09/Sep/2011
Denise helps teens patch up their lives - Tuesday, 06/Sep/2011
From pop charts to criminology... - Friday, 02/Sep/2011
‘Extra mile? Dave goes the extra continent - Wednesday, 31/Aug/2011
Headbutt couldn’t stop me in riot role - Friday, 26/Aug/2011
I tried to make a difference... - Tuesday, 23/Aug/2011
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’ - Friday, 19/Aug/2011
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers - Tuesday, 16/Aug/2011
Grandad’s quest to help kids walk for first time - Wednesday, 10/Aug/2011
‘I want people to have hope’ - Friday, 05/Aug/2011
‘I just can’t stop my fundraising’ - Tuesday, 02/Aug/2011
A real kick from football training - Friday, 29/Jul/2011
Lifesaver: It was nothing special - Tuesday, 26/Jul/2011
Keey site to keep kids out of trouble - Friday, 22/Jul/2011
Rapping teacher is role model for kids - Tuesday, 19/Jul/2011
Advice on gardening from the grown-ups - Friday, 15/Jul/2011
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile - Tuesday, 12/Jul/2011
‘Life can change with just a word’ - Friday, 08/Jul/2011
Getting to art of the matter - Wednesday, 06/Jul/2011
Art of the matter - Tuesday, 05/Jul/2011
‘John has given voice to people at the bottom’ - Wednesday, 29/Jun/2011
Martial arts man fighting for peace - Tuesday, 28/Jun/2011
Mr Grass Roots in the running for Our Heroes award - Friday, 24/Jun/2011
‘I love looking after children’ - Tuesday, 21/Jun/2011
‘Always trying to make us laugh...’ - Friday, 17/Jun/2011
Dynamic duo’s battling spirit - Thursday, 16/Jun/2011
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’ - Friday, 03/Jun/2011
Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes - Friday, 27/May/2011
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