Meet Rayhana. She arrived in the UK as a political refugee and then lost her job during lockdown. Her journey from that point led her into the criminal justice system and then down the long path of rebuilding her life and her confidence.
This International Women’s Day, we are asking you to stand alongside women swept into the criminal justice system. Support us today and help women to believe in themselves, find their confidence and get their dream jobs.
“You can’t just write people off in society - removing that stigma about hiring people with convictions has to be part of the rehabilitation process.”
Rayhana“You can’t just write people off in society - removing that stigma about hiring people with convictions has to be part of the rehabilitation process.”
When Rayhana first came to Working Chance, she was weighed down by self-doubt because of her conviction. But now she's in full-time work and is sharing her story to help level the playing field for women with convictions.
A campaign for change
Growing up in Bangladesh, Rayhana trained and worked as an economist and in her spare time, campaigned for gender equality.
"I really wanted to raise awareness that women like me didn’t have the right to make their own decisions, gain financial freedom, or choose their life partner."
Rayhana’s campaigning work was widely covered in the media, which broke down relationships with her family and, ultimately, put her safety at risk. She fled Bangladesh and arrived in the UK.
Trauma, mental health, and the criminal justice system
Once in the UK Rayhana claimed refugee status and worked as a civil servant. But when lockdown hit she lost her job, and everything changed for the worse.
“The loneliness, the pressure to keep up with my bills, and the struggle to find work took a toll on my mental health, on top of the years of unresolved trauma from my past.”
Rayhana“The loneliness, the pressure to keep up with my bills, and the struggle to find work took a toll on my mental health, on top of the years of unresolved trauma from my past.”
“There's so much stigma about mental health. I didn’t feel able to reach out and ask for help.”
Isolated and without the right support, her mental health continued to decline, and this played a large role in her actions that led to her being swept into the justice system.
“The justice system compounded the trauma that I have that I already experienced from leaving Bangladesh and settling into the country as a political refugee.”
Rayhana’s sentence was a hospital order, which means she received treatment instead of going to prison. When she was released, she was determined to rebuild her life and find meaningful work. But having a conviction proved to be a major barrier.
“I received five job offers but each of them was withdrawn because of my conviction. It felt like ‘once a criminal, always a criminal - you don’t deserve another chance.’”
Rayhana“I received five job offers but each of them was withdrawn because of my conviction. It felt like ‘once a criminal, always a criminal - you don’t deserve another chance.’”
Transformational support
Then Rayhana found Working Chance.
“My Employability Coach was fantastic, very non-judgmental and compassionate.”
From that first conversation, we focused on what Rayhana could do, rather than what was holding her back.
“I had support recreating my CV, which meant looking back at the things I’d achieved. That helped to build my confidence and self-image. Before that, all I had was shame and not the good things that I’d done in my life.
Through one-to-one coaching, we helped her rebuild her confidence and navigate the difficult process of disclosing her conviction to employers.
"The regular check-ins with my Coach became the foundation for me. I realised that you can always take responsibility for your actions and start over."
After months of preparation and emotional support, Rayhana landed a role as a Finance Officer with an employer who saw her potential, not just her past.
Stand with women
“Women who have been through the criminal justice system and have been able to make it to a job interview have worked hard to build their confidence. They’re committed to doing a good job and getting things done.”
Today, Rayhana has come full circle, and is back campaigning for women, as a member of Working Chance’s advisory panel. She shares her lived experience to advocate for women with convictions.
Will you join her in making a difference?
