A career switch has given one woman a renewed sense of purpose and a chance to change lives
Yasmin Williams, 53, spent years working as a fitness instructor and trainer before joining the Probation Service and now supports women across Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Ms Williams said: “I’d reached a point where what had once helped me cope was no longer working
“I knew something had to change, but probation wasn’t a career I’d ever imagined myself going into.”
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After three years in the role, she said the work has been life-changing
She said: “What really helped me is the structure probation offers. There are clear rules, processes and boundaries and you get excellent training
“It’s a controlled environment and that really supported me, both professionally and personally.”
Ms Williams was encouraged to consider probation by a friend in the service
Drawing on her background as a trainer, she now works closely with women in the justice system and delivers trauma-informed training to frontline practitioners, magistrates, and police officers
She has also run peer mentoring programmes in women’s prisons across the region
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She said: “So many of the women we work with put everyone else first and themselves last
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“A lot of what I do is about supporting women to set boundaries, look after themselves and believe they are worth investing in.”
Her work in probation has challenged previous assumptions
She said: “When you don’t work in probation, it’s easy to think in terms of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ people. But you very quickly see the human stories behind the headlines
“People are often dealing with layers of trauma, loss and instability. One wrong turn can change the course of a life
“This is a job where you can genuinely make a difference. It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”
The government is currently recruiting an additional 1,300 trainee probation officers for 2026/27, in addition to the 2,300 pledged since 2024
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To apply go to prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk
Applications are encouraged from those with experience in education, health, social care, the military and other public-facing sectors
Candidates must hold a minimum Level 3 qualification such as A levels, a diploma or a degree
