Chris Parsons’ Blog

  1. onedaywebsitepicsaved e1702998462500 1024x673 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    One Day…

    Hello, A busy lunch today. As so often, the meal starts off quietly, a few grumpy folks, but the food’s good, chat breaks out, then laughter and more chat. Wonderful. I’m looking around (as I do),…

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    Questions and Answers…

    Hello, I thought you may like to hear a range of questions that have been put to me over the last month and read my replies… Chris, is it true you are about to retire? No, it…

  3. christmas shop 2023 website 1024x668 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    Twas the couple of months before Christmas!

    Hello, As news feeds from around the world deliver ever more depressing bulletins, there is one bright note singing out…. Its source – The LandWorks Wood Workshop. The crooner – Graham. The reason – He loves (loves)…

  4. cantstartafirewithoutasparkpicwebsite 1024x669 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    Can’t start a fire without a spark… (part 2)

    Hello, The messages just keep getting clearer. Like somebody is sending a sign. All around us feels fractured. Dave tipped petrol on himself. A desperate cry for help. I know… I’ve read the emergency service transcripts….

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    Can’t start a fire without a spark…

    Hello, Sasha’s phone is ringing. She signals for me to listen in. “Hello, it’s the Mental Health team here. I can see it has taken a bit of time for us to get to you… Oh…

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    Random Cake…

    Hello, “Man, I love cake”, is often the shout at around 10.30am, just before tea break. Cake, for high days, celebrations, anniversaries, you name it, a cake is here. Cream, fruit, sponge, chocolate, iced, parsnip, carrot…

  7. website pic circles 1024x669 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    Circles…

    Hello, “Chris, do you think stuff just goes around, is life just a circle of continuous events?” That’s an interesting lunchtime question (I like these, gets everyone chatting) and this from a man who often poses…

  8. Believe sign for website e1706652128647 1024x440 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    You just have to be there…

    Hello, Building trusting relationships can, on the one hand, be deeply satisfying, on the other, it can be like sand slipping through your fingers. You just have to be there, through the ups and downs, just…

  9. An Oasis of Hope 1024x669 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    Sometimes it just goes wrong…

    Hello, Sometimes it just goes wrong. Even though everything is going right. Josh came here in the Autumn last year. It had taken months to get him to engage. He couldn’t deal with authority. Traumatised from…

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    Acceptance…

    Hello, I’ve been wondering for a while how to start this email. Best keep it simple… I guess over the last ten years (I will stop going on about it after this email) for me there…

  11. 10th plaque pottery website 1024x669 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    Day 3650…

    Hello, Day 3,637 Jimmy, one of the first cohort (then a day release prisoner), just sent the following text… “I know that I’m hard work but something that you said and done that hit home with…

  12. Australian Oak Leaf Lettuce 1024x669 - Prisoner Training & Placements
    G’day…

    Hello, “Mate (Aussie accent), I’ve read your little blog thing for years and mate, all you do is moan. Why don’t you ever say how you would fix it?” Right-oh, good – always encouraging to get…