Over 100 years’ experience

The Church of England Temperance Society was the first organisation in the country to start offering what we would recognise as a probation service. Although the work that we do has grown over the century, our values have stayed very much the same: to help offenders turn their backs on offending behaviour through effective support. Underlying our work is the belief that it is love, not hate, which changes people.

Read here some of the personal stories of people, new and old, who have given their time, commitmen t and careers to the work of the probation service:

Alison Minch and Great Aunt Sutherland-Graeme
... The inspiring career of a great aunt planted an important seed in the mind of the young Alison Minch and led to her joining the Probation Service. Read more...

Chris Bath
... Inspired to join the service after working for the Amber Foundation, a charity helping troubled youngsters turn their lives around. Read more...

Felicity Dyer
... Inspired to join the service while studying for a degree in Criminology at the Southampton Institute. Read more...

Gavin Henderson
... Joined as Projects and Contracts Manager after a 23-year career in the Army. Read more...

Gwyneth Owen
... Brings a wealth of experience to her new role: she qualified as a Probation Officer on October 1 last year, following a successful career in secondary school teaching and work within the voluntary sector. Read more...

Monica Dillon
... Worked in the Probation Service for more than 30 years, and while she has seen many changes, Monica believes the cherished core values have endured. Read more...

Wayne Derbyshire
... Inspired to join the service at university, following a probation studies module delivered by a lecturer who used to be a probation officer herself. Read more...