Case Study

Chase goes from strength to strength

2 Dec 2024

It took a three year spell in Broomfield Prison for Chase, now 22, to discover his passion for weightlifting. Finally finding an outlet for his anxieties and ADHD, he participated fully in prison courses and gym work, aspiring to a personal training career on release. Yet navigating the technology and financial strains of modern life soon proved to be a workout of its own.

“I thought I could sort everything out myself,” says Chase, who found himself with historic court fines and no photo ID or bank account after leaving prison in late 2023. “I was 18 when I went inside, a kid, then I come out to adult life with nothing except fines I can’t pay. I hate having to set everything up online, it gets overwhelming.” 

Chase, who lives in Oswestry, was referred to the Ingeus Finance, Benefit and Debt team for help. Part of the Ministry of Justice’s Commissioned Rehabilitative Services, it provides professional money management advice to participants referred by the Probation Service in a bid to prevent debt issues leading them back to criminality. Appreciating that Chase was uncomfortable in groups, advisor Jo met Chase face-to-face and wasted no time in tackling his pressing problems. 

First step was to create a new universal credit account for Chase to access benefits, requiring ID documentation funded by Ingeus. She accompanied Chase to open a bank account at a local HSBC branch and helped him unlock his PIN and banking App. Liaising with Jobcentre Plus, the courts, and debt agencies on his behalf, Jo was able to help Chase navigate his past fines and excuse himself from compulsory groups which were causing him severe anxiety. She’s also worked with Chase, building up trust and a friendly rapport, to help him stay calm and avoid confrontations in frustrating situations. The next step is funding an application for a provisional driving licence and signposting Chase for further support with his gym work aspirations.

“I want Chase to succeed – he’s an intelligent person but struggled to patiently break down the persistent barriers he faced,” explains Jo, a Finance Benefit and Debt Advisor for Shrewsbury and Burton. “He just needed someone to help navigate the paperwork and systems. Having his court fines immediately reinforced with initially no income whatsoever was a major challenge that I’m delighted we could help him with.

“The world of logins, lost passwords and online gateways is not for him. Having his own bank account for the first time was a big deal; he was thrilled.

“Chase can struggle with his focus but he’s always polite and engaged well with me. He’s now motivated to move to a new area, find a gym job and turn his life around.”

“I wouldn’t have what I do now without Jo,” adds Chase, who has recently signed for a local Sunday league football team. “I have structure and can find focus at the gym, not worrying so much about all this in the background. I can help my mum out and make plans – learning to drive is next on the list.”