Case Study

Turning difficult situations into positive conversations

22 May 2026

Attending an Ingeus Transition and Hope programme following his criminal conviction is when Karl says ‘the ball started rolling’ towards a future that has just seen him present his story to 120 criminology students. From isolation, alcoholism, and hitting rock bottom, to becoming a sober people-person, ‘buzzing’ from the work he does as an Ingeus volunteer peer mentor, Karl truly has transformed – and is now passing on hope to others. 

Karl, from Leicester, came from a background of not talking about your problems. Family issues led to teenage anxiety and depression that morphed into adult drinking. When an angry outburst led to a community order, Karl shut himself away, feeling detached from society and, at times, suicidal.  

A referral to Ingeus’ Commissioned Rehabilitative Services proved to be a lifeline, despite Karl not feeling so at the time: “I knew I needed help but had felt let down so many times before that I wasn’t looking forward to attending the Transition and Hope group,” he said. “As I listened to one of the peer mentors telling his story I went from ‘no one cares’ to ‘I can do this’. 

Karl attended further Ingeus Personal Wellbeing programmes while being supported to stop drinking by a specialist provider and his GP. He underwent mental health counselling, neurodivergent screening, and reduced his debts with help from the Ingeus Finance, Benefits and Debt team.  

“The Goals sessions were the first two days I’d spent out of the house for well over a year,” adds Karl. “I’d always struggled with social anxiety, but it was incredible and helped plant the seeds of what could come. The Momentum sessions were more practical, simple fun activities that enabled big conversations to follow. The help with my debts was a massive relief, I could stop stressing about it.” 

With encouragement, Karl then underwent Ingeus peer mentor training, from which he graduated in March 2025. Peer mentors utilise their lived experience of the criminal justice system to reach and inspire others, while continuing on their own rehabilitation journey.  

Karl adds: “I’d never considered myself a people person but as more people suggested I’d be good at peer mentoring, I began to think differently about myself. It’s not easy sharing your story with a room full of people but I’ve learnt to overcome my fear. I’m buzzing afterwards.” 

Karl is now in alcohol recovery and supports Ingeus staff members running weekly rehabilitation sessions in Leicester. He also attends prisons and probation offices. 

“There’s always something new happening, I’m gaining skills and building confidence all the time,” concludes Karl. “The Ingeus team really supports me as well as us supporting the participants. I’ve never known so many interesting minds under one roof – so many positive conversations. I’ve learned to talk about things that are bothering me and I’m valued here – it’s a good feeling.”