Case Study

Building brighter futures

28 Jul. 2026

When Laura joined Ingeus almost three years ago, she was looking for a role that would allow her to work alongside people, helping them overcome challenges and build positive futures. Having previously worked as a Probation Services Officer at HMP Northumberland, she was no stranger to supporting people through difficult circumstances. However, the opportunity to take a more person-centred approach first attracted her to Ingeus. 

Today, Laura works as a Recovery Navigator in Durham, supporting individuals who are experiencing, or have previously experienced, issues with drugs and alcohol. Working closely with probation practitioners, treatment providers, mental health services and other community partners, she helps people address substance misuse, overcome barriers to recovery and move towards healthier, more stable future. 

"It's rewarding to see the positive changes people make and know that the work we do genuinely helps individuals improve their lives," says Laura. 

While Laura is passionate about the impact of her day job, it's the combination of professional fulfilment, personal development and opportunities to give back that has made Ingeus the right fit for her. 

Supporting people everyday  

A typical day for Laura involves one-to-one support sessions, recovery planning, delivering interventions and working alongside partner agencies. But for her, the most rewarding part of the role is building relationships and helping people rediscover their potential. 

"The relationships I build with people are what I enjoy most. Seeing someone who initially feels hopeless begin to recognise their strengths and believe in themselves again is incredibly rewarding." 

One particular success story has stayed with her. Laura supported an individual whose substance misuse was affecting his mental health and family relationships. Through regular support and meaningful interventions, he achieved abstinence and began rebuilding his life. 

"The most rewarding part was seeing the wider changes. He described feeling respected and listened to by his family again and is now working towards setting up his own business. Seeing someone rebuild their confidence, relationships and future is what makes this role so rewarding."  

Growing in confidence 

One of Laura's most significant achievements since joining Ingeus has been her own personal development. 

"When I first joined, I would never have imagined myself delivering presentations to large groups of professionals," she explains. 

Through training opportunities, encouragement from colleagues and support from her manager, Laura has developed new skills in public speaking, partnership working and training delivery. She now regularly presents to partner agencies and delivers PQUIP training on Dependency and Recovery to other professionals. 

"Being able to deliver training and share my knowledge has significantly increased my confidence and communication skills." 

Reflecting on her journey so far, Laura says the growth in her confidence has been one of the biggest highlights of her time at Ingeus. 

Volunteering with purpose 

Laura's passion for supporting people extends beyond her role as a Recovery Navigator. 

After joining Ingeus, she discovered the organisation's commitment to volunteering, including the two paid community volunteering days available each year. Inspired to make a difference in her local community, she became an Independent Visitor with Durham County Council. 

As part of the voluntary role, Laura provides consistent support to a young person in care, meeting regularly for activities and offering encouragement, guidance and a trusted relationship. 

"The role is about being a reliable adult in a young person's life and helping them build confidence in themselves and their future" 

One experience highlights the impact of volunteering. After attending a family barbecue with Laura and her relatives, the young person later sent her a text message explaining how much the experience had meant. 

"She told me she hadn't realised families could spend time together, laugh and genuinely enjoy each other's company. Since then, she's become part of our wider family network. It reminded me that sometimes the simple things can have the biggest impact." 

Laura believes there are clear links between her volunteering and professional life. 

"Both roles are centred around building trust, supporting resilience and empowering people to achieve positive outcomes. Volunteering has also helped me develop a deeper understanding of how childhood trauma can affect people later in life, which helps me take a more trauma-informed approach in my work." 

A supportive place to build your career 

For Laura, what makes Ingeus a great place to work comes down to the people. 

"I'd describe Ingeus as supportive, flexible and rewarding. Everyone genuinely cares about the people we support and about one another." 

From weekly wellbeing hours and volunteering opportunities to ongoing training and development, she feels trusted, valued and encouraged to grow. 

Looking ahead, Laura hopes to move further into therapeutic work while continuing her career in the criminal justice sector. 

For anyone considering a career with Ingeus, her advice is simple: 

"If you're passionate about helping people and want a role that makes a genuine difference, it's a great opportunity. You get to support people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives and witness first-hand the positive outcomes that can be achieved’’.

Start your career with Ingeus.