Barber Kelly-Ann reaching out to young offenders with work experience

Greyabbey barber Kelly-Ann McVeigh is among a growing number of local employers reaching out to young offenders with work experience opportunities.

Barber Kelly-Ann reaching out to young offenders with work experience

Greyabbey barber Kelly-Ann McVeigh is among a growing number of local employers reaching out to young offenders with work experience opportunities.

In partnership with the Youth Justice Agency, Kelly-Ann has invited young people who have committed crime to come and work in her barber shop and hair salon with the aim of steering them away from re-offending.

“We all deserve a second chance,” says Kelly-Ann. “Especially young people who have made mistakes. That’s why I’m happy to work with them.

“I absolutely believe that the community has a role to play in helping these young people. As a local business I can offer them work experience which they might never otherwise get, and as they embrace the experience I hope they can find a purpose in life – which means they are also less likely to re-offend.”

Having studied Criminology and Social Policies at Queen’s University, Kelly-Ann has long been interested in youth justice and adolescent behaviour.

“Being able to combine that interest with my every day work as a barber and hairdresser is just so good,” adds Kelly Ann. “As well as the young person gaining work experience which helps them as an individual, I get to grow my business with the assistance of an additional member of staff. It’s a win, win for everyone.

“I think it’s very important that these young people are given the chance to play an active part in addressing their behaviour and repairing the harm caused by their actions, and I would encourage other employers to get involved in this youth justice work. There are benefits for the whole community in it.”

Upwards of 80 young people from the Ards, Bangor, Castlereagh and Lisburn areas will come in care of the Youth Justice Agency in any one year.

Youth Conference Co-ordinator Janis Proctor said: “We work with a lot of young people in this area who through their mistakes often set the community against them. But the only way they can be rehabilitated is with the support of the community.

“Employers like Kelly-Ann are a very welcome help in our work to change behaviours of all of these young people.”

For more on the work of the Youth Justice Agency and Restorative Justice go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGMd0s5G2l8

Notes to editors: 

Restorative Justice Week is an international event running from 19-26 November 2017. This year’s theme is Inspiring Innovation.

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