Case Study: Terry Pampling

Terry, 37, has never known his father, or even his father's name, and for this he was badly bullied at school. When he grew big enough he started to fight back, and it started a chain of events in his life which resulted in crime and imprisonment. For many years Terry turned to drugs: "I thought drugs was a way out of being myself - taking them and selling them. I thought I might be able to escape."

Terry's involvement with drugs has resulted in several custodial sentences, and his most recent arrest on charges of possession with intent to supply was one of the lowest points in his life. The arrest took place in his home, and his two sons saw the police taking him away handcuffed.

Terry was referred to Street League's Goals Project by his probation officer. It was a chance to turn things around and to address some of the underlying problems in his life. "Jamie Edwards on Goals taught me how to control my temper. I tune into my internal TV. There's a good picture and a bad picture. I prefer to see things in colour with my two kids, then in black and white behind bars. I know which channel I want to got to."

Since completing Goals which he describes as one of the best five weeks of his life, Terry has been working towards gaining a job as a sports coach. He started training with Street League every week and formed his own team, volunteering as team manager and recruiting a number of youths from his local area. He has also now completed his Community Sports Leadership Award, FA Level 1 coaching, and plans to start his Level 2 soon. In addition, Millwall Community Scheme have invited Terry to do some voluntray coaching hours and he hopes this combination of qualifications and practical experience will lead to his first paid coaching job.

Having witnessed the benefits of the Goals Project Terry now returns regularly to give an introductory talk to the new participants. "The best thing about Street League is its togetherness. When Goals finished I thought that would be it. I didn't realise people would be ringing me up and inviting me to do this course and that course. I didn't think someone like me would get a second chance. I don't want to let anything pass now. I want to do all the courses."

Terry's immediate priority is to take care of his family, to create a stable home, and to make sure his sons don't make the same mistakes he did. "My sons look at me in a different way now. This weekend it was raining so all the family sat down and watched a film. That couldn't have happened before."