Dipping a paintbrush into the pot of bright yellow paint, I handed it to the little girl sitting next to me and smiled as she splodged it on to the paper.
‘Beautiful,’ I said to her, pegging it up with the rest of the children’s artwork. It was 1983 and, at 16 years old, I’d just started a training scheme working with children at a local nursery. My school years had been chaotic and I’d left earlier in the year with no qualifications. Brought up by my grandparents, home life was tough, and homework and exams were never a priority.
I was feeling lost, not knowing what to do with my life, so the nursery scheme had come at the perfect time. And it seemed that caring for others came naturally to sticky hands or joining other nursery workers as they cleaned up, I realised just how much I enjoyed it.
Not long after the scheme ended, I met my husband and we married in 1985, January 1987 and son in August 1990, and started school and began needing me
'I don't know what to do with myself now,' I confided in my husband. He worked in the prison service and, in January 1995, a vacancy came up for temporary prison escorts, accompanying prisoners to and from court or police stations. "You'd be great,' my husband encouraged me.
TAKING A CHANCE
I had no experience and no idea what to expect, but I took a chance and applied and was amazed when I got the job at HMP Bristol.
Esta historia es de la edición February 27, 2023 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 27, 2023 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
'SEEING MY NAME ON TV IS SURREAL'
Loose Women newbie Olivia Attwood Dack on joining the hit show, marriage and career goals
THE MISSING PIECE
My earliest memory of my older sister Priya wasn’t one where she was present, but rather, the realisation of her absence.
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Rustle up these tasty family dinners with just five easy ingredients
SMILING THROUGH CANCER
Like most mums, when my kids are upset I’ll do almost anything to turn their frowns upside down, whether it’s making Max, 11, his favourite chocolate cake or putting on silly voices for Georgia, eight, when she’s had a bad day at school.
BRAVERY AMIDST SUCH HORROR
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on dinner time, posh grub and wet summers
RELAX & RESET
For farm-to-table food and a game-changing spa, head for the dramatic Dolomites
HELP! I'M TURNING INTO MY MUM
As the years pass, Heather Main, 39, realises she’s inheriting more and more of her mother’s traits
I WAS MISTAKEN FOR MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS!
When Gemma Loveden, 38, lost l6st, a family member was convinced she was someone else...
Denise confesses I'MA MORNING SEX PERSON'
Never one to mince her words, Denise Welch is much-loved by fans for her refreshing honesty.
Cat & Ben SNUBBED!
Are the This Morning hosts feeling disgruntled after missing out on an NTA nomination in favour of Alison?