POA Learning at HMP Dartmoor has been playing a major role in assisting some of the most disadvantaged people in Plymouth live an independent life.

On the 10th October Kevin Watts, Learner Support for POA Learning based at the Dartmoor Learning centre commenced a series of six sessions aimed at raising awareness of emotions and providing some skills in emotional management entitled: “Control your emotions or your emotions will control you”.

The training is being delivered at Devonport House in Plymouth, the Salvation Army run residential centre to assist men in need of support due to homelessness. The programme has been set up by Kevin and Mariola Sujev of the Salvation Army. Many of the learners have both learning needs and mental health issues and with this fact in mind the programme has been devised with the aim of assisting these learners to take control of their own lives via independent community based living.

Marolia said:

Homelessness is a reality of our society. From street homelessness to those battling addiction, the services we offer put the person and their needs at the centre of their support - enabling people to take control of their life circumstances."

Kevin who previously worked for the prison service and delivered emotional control programmes to offenders said:

Being able to recognise emotions and control them enables people to undertake education and training, to prepare for job interviews and in managing their day to day affairs.  I was impressed at the first session at how motivated the group members were to improve their lives and engage in the training."

The training being delivered by POA Learning is what is known as a rolling programmes and learners can dip in and out of the learning as their own need dictates. 

Andy Harding, POA Learning Manager at HMP Dartmoor went on to add:

The training that Kevin delivers to some of the most isolated and socially disadvantaged people in our local community pays positive testimony to the commitment demonstrated by both POA Learning and unionlearn in assisting the most vulnerable in society improve their life chances and opportunities."