AWARD WINNER 2024-25: Gerry’s Award is for his tireless professionalism as a Youth Justice Worker with Gateshead Youth Justice Service. His support for colleagues, and his commitment towards, and ability to engage with, young people and their families, is widely praised – as one young person puts it, “he’s the man”.
[Gerry’s Award is supported by G4S Care & Rehabilitation Services.]

This nomination was completed by Emma Blackwell (Head of Gateshead YJS)

Introduction

Gerry Bowman has supported young people and their families for over 23 years and I believe he deserves recognition for his tireless work.

Gerry has worked for Gateshead youth Justice Service for 23 years. Over this time, he has worked with 100’s if not thousands of young people and their families.  In the past 12 months Gerry has supported some of our most complex young people who have committed serious violent offences. Gerry works with young people, families and professionals in a no nonsense way, he is dependable and trustworthy.  Gerry deserves to be acknowledged for his hard work and determination to help young people make good decisions and avoid re-offending.  Gerry’s professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond is unbelievable, he is honest and has integrity. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he is the biggest advocate for young people who are extremely vulnerable and experience difficult times.  Gerry is not afraid to stand up for young people and ensure they have the access to services, this is especially important for our young people who do not have family support.

Nothing is a barrier to Gerry, he is a reflective person who spends time thinking about decisions he has made and how he can move forward in a positive way.  Youth Justice is an area of work that continually develops. Gerry has adapted his practice to ensure that he is responsive to the needs of the young people he works with.

Gerry is a huge part of our team, he has supported and mentored a number of staff and has an excellent professional reputation.  The amount of people who were willing to give testimonials in support of this application was enormous. Everyone was keen to show their support for Gerry and the impact he has had on them and the young people they have had in common. One of the biggest testimonials to Gerry is what young people said about him and how he has helped them.  It is an honour and a pleasure to work with Gerry.

Nomination Details

Gerry’s contribution to the community has been massive, but don’t take my word for it, please take the word of our young people, parents, professionals and colleagues.  Gerry is amazing and deserves the recognition for his tireless work over the past 23 years.

Young people and their families

Michael (Leon’s father):

Michael said that Gerry had worked with his brother William for a long time back in the day. He said that his mother (Jackie) “loved” Gerry and could not have asked for more in terms of the lengths he went to in order to help William. She said that Gerry never gave up on William when others did. Michael said that when he told his Mam (Jackie) that the YJS were coming to see Leon, she said “that’s great, I hope Leon gets Gerry Bowman if he is still there”. Michael said that he could not believe that his Mam had remembered Gerry’s name after all these years as he could only remember it was Gerry. Michael said that he remembers Gerry coming to the house and remembers him being happy and smiling not matter what William had done. Jackie said that Gerry was always respectful to her, William and her family.

Jackie said that there was nothing more Gerry could have done to try and help William. Jackie and Michael said that Gerry deserves a “medal” for working with William and all the other Y/P he has helped.

Stephen:

Gerry is a fabulous bloke, he spends time to understand you, he gets me.  He takes me to appointments, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t get there.  I like that Gerry is straight forward, he tells me what he is going to do, and he does it.  I wouldn’t be in the position I am in if it wasn’t for Gerry I would be in a worse place. Gerry worked with some of my pals and he tried to help them.  It took me a while to get to know Gerry but he stuck by me and I trust him.  He is a good person.

Professionals

Peter Farrier – Solicitor:

My experiences of Gerry are nothing but positive. Apart from his compassionate nature, it is obvious, to me at least, that he is completely grounded and has an in depth understanding of adolescence and adolescents. He understands the affects of disadvantage and trauma. He keeps an open mind and is never judgemental in his approach. He would be a deserving and worthy recipient of such an award.

Mark Styles – Solicitor:

I have had the pleasure of dealing with Gerry over many years in the local courts. I have never come across someone working in youth justice who is as committed and invested in young people’s lives as Gerry, he takes a genuine and lasting interest in their lives and I have seen him support children through low criminal offending, through to cases involving murder, with the same level of empathy and compassion. He will travel literally hundreds of miles, to support young people he works with and will always, without fail, have a sportive impact on their life.  He has been, and remains, an absolute credit to his employers and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of an award.

Manager from Aycliffe Secure Centre:

I just wanted to pass on my sincerest thanks to Gerry and the work he has done with the young person. Gerry’s dedication to his role as his YOT worker has been incredible and he has gone above and beyond to ensure the young person and his family have been supported throughout this whole process. His genuine care for the young person and his family is evident and something we have all commented on. I have worked within this field for twenty years and Gerry is one of the very best, if not the best, YOT workers I had the pleasure to work with.

Colleagues

Rachel Lacey:

I have worked with Gerry for 17 years and have had the pleasure of managing him for the past 6 years.  He has certainly helped to develop my management skills!

Gerry is an absolute diamond and goes above and beyond for the young people and the families that he works with and although he can sometimes present as challenging and argumentative, we all know that he is a big softy really with a heart of gold!!  His reflections, rants and opinions brighten my day and I love it when he calls me ‘hinny’ as well as his regular sayings of ‘its only 12 Fridays’ and ‘I bet you a mars bars’ which always make me smile.

Lisa Shields:

Knowing Gerry for 17 years I can say he is a genuine, great guy and friend.  Gerry has been a great support and mentor throughout my time at Youth Justice.  He is always happy to help and share his knowledge and wisdom from his years of experience with the team.  His passion to help and support young people and their families is a credit to him. He certainly goes above and beyond to ensure he can help where he can.  To be nominated for this award of recognition is very well deserved.

Gary Payton:

I have worked with Gerry for over 20 years now and every day that I have done so has been a pleasure. Some days you come to work and might feel “not up to it” or you have had a “bad day”. That’s when Gerry is there to lend an ear and to talk through any work issues you are not sure about. If you’re not sure how to work with a Y/P or family, Gerry will always have an idea how to engage the young person or family, which usually works.

Gerry has encouraged and supported me throughout the 20 years and even showed me how to write my first pre-sentence-report for court and I still write them based on what Gerry told me back then. Gerry is extremely knowledgeable about all things YJS and Court, so if you’re not sure ask Gerry!!! Gerry is excellent at engaging young people and families and there have been lots of occasions in the past and even now when young people and their families will ask “how’s Gerry”?, they are genuinely interested in knowing how he is because he has helped them.

The biggest compliment I could pay Gerry is that he not just a work colleague he is my friend, and a valued friend at that. He deserves recognition for the work he has done and continues to do and also for being a GOOD PERSON.