Testimonials
Dear Shaun,
You came to speak at my school a while ago now and I have been meaning to thank you ever since.
People come into schools and speak about drugs, sex and danger on a regular basis, yet the most these presentations amount to are jokes dotted throughout the week about how people do all of the above anyway before the talk is completely forgotten. Your account of your time in prison was the first that I’d seen to really and truly touch every person in that room. You didn’t tell us to never look at drugs, to report anyone who had the slightest knowledge of narcotics or to stick to every guideline we’ve ever been given. As a teenager I can well and truly say that this wouldn’t have and continues not to have any effect whatsoever on the wellbeing or common sense of my classmates.
The way you delivered your speech inspired me. The facts were clear but the humour was prominent, keeping us all on the edge of our seats. You taught me that after a high there often comes a low, and however hard and rock-bottom that low may feel, determination and perseverance can always amend things in the end. I learnt about the hardships in jail, and what happens if you come head-to-head with the law; but on top of that there are so many more things that will always stay with me from your talk: The importance of family, the dissolution of dreams that may well result in something better, and yes, how to get my priorities straight. I’m sure you receive countless emails daily remarking on what an awe-inspiring man you are and what a change you make – but I felt that it would only be fair to give back even the tiniest bit of what you have given to me in a talk over a year ago.
Thank you so much,
Keep inspiring,
Grace Beverley
Francis Holland School, London
You came to an extended assembly at my school. I’m emailing you to tell you how thought-provoking and interesting I found your story. I have been interested in prisons and the justice system for a while now. Your story meant such a lot to me because I hope to work with the justice system after university, and I am now determined to fix these corrupt departments and people, as well as improving the conditions in prisons in America and the UK. Usually, assemblies consist of a teacher talking for less than ten minutes whilst none of the students pay them any attention – we usually talk amongst ourselves or fall asleep. However, when you came in to tell your story everyone was captivated and sat on the edge of their seats to hear what would happen next.
When you had finished, we all wished there was more to come. For the rest of the day, lessons were spent discussing the assembly between ourselves, and everyone was full of admiration and respect for you. A particular boy in my year, who has been meddling with drugs in the past, spoke to me after your talk. He said to me that what you had told us had been like a slap in the face, and that he is revolted by what can happen from messing with illegal substances. Since the assembly, he has been completely clean and he plans to stay that way. I am sure he is not the only one within the two year groups that has been influenced enough to stay away from drugs now, and I know that these people have only you to thank.
Aofie Strahan
Age 16 – Weydon School, Surrey
