Tuesday November 13th 2018
Malcolm Paul, Peer Support Co-ordinator at the Orchard Centre, who features in the short film
Midlothian Council is encouraging residents to come along to a local screening of “Second Chancers”, a film series by Community Justice Scotland that is helping change perceptions about what justice should look like in 21st Century Scotland.
A screening of Second Chancers will be held on Monday 19 November between 12-2pm at St John’s and King’s Park Church in Dalkeith. The drop-in event is open to anyone who would like to see the short films or view the exhibition.
Second Chancers is centered on the voices of those whose lives have been touched by the justice system. Comprising of a series of short documentary films and a touring audio exhibition, the campaign tells authentic and raw stories of success and failure, change and transformation, obstacles and helping hands. It paints a warts and all picture of what works, what doesn’t and what we should be doing better.
The people sharing their stories include someone from a background of crime; who has made a one-off mistake; who has been a victim of crime; who has battled with addiction and mental health issues; as well as showcasing unpaid work projects that have restored pride to their community.
Malcolm Paul, Peer Support Co-ordinator at the Orchard Centre, who features in the short film said:
“It’s great that the Second Chancers film series is coming to Midlothian. I took part in the film because it offers hope to people. It shows there is an opportunity to change. Nobody wakes up and decides to be a criminal – there’s a story behind everything and there are always circumstances that lead someone to criminality.
“It wasn’t so long ago that I was in a really bad place myself. Now I help others get the support they need to turn their lives around too.
“The recovery community in Midlothian is huge and we hope that more people either find the support they need, or gain a better understanding of the community justice system, as a result of the event. Everyone deserves a second chance in life.”
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