Martin J. Bedford
I have been fortunate enough to retire November 2021. Prior to this time my most recent position has been that of an Approved Premises Supervisor for The National Probation Service, part of the Ministry of Justice.
I joined the service in 2007, after losing my job with Southwest Trains, where reductions in staff cost me my job a Station Manager.
Managing a number of very high risk offenders can be a very stressful experience indeed, the responsibilities are enormous and the pay extremely poor. It was a job that could have put incredible strain on an individual; the nature of the clients offences are often heinous and risk management and public protection must be foremost in the mind of any manager or employee.
I have always employed two strengths in the execution of my duties; humour and my faith.
I have always felt passionate about the real human need for spiritual nourishment, and indeed the fundamental human right to worship.
I sought extra responsibilities in specialist roles; such as: faith rep and diversity rep, to work with offenders and a very active role as a workplace trades union rep to work with employees.
I have been privy to many individuals with a serious criminal past who have returned to society after being inspired by faith and a belief system that introduces them to moral guidelines that often make sense to them for the for the first time in their lives. I have worked across the probation service in the county of Dorset, setting up worship for individuals in the system, with Christian churches of all denominations, mosques, synagogues and temples of many kinds. My deep interest in comparative religion has stood me in good stead over the years.
As diversity rep I was able to assist the integration into life post prison to many individuals by making them feel part of our establishment, irrespective of race, creed, sexuality or disability.
As a trades union rep I was able to satisfy my own desire to fight for individual’s right at work and this, in no small part, has been a reflection of my own deep spiritual beliefs.
I am now a retired worker, a senior citizen, if you will, and I intend to continue my work with empathy and compassion in the spheres of faith, politics and within the community
– Martin Bedford