‘A life in the day of’ - Simon Armitage’s ode to the Probation Service

We partnered with award-winning poet laureate and former probation officer, Simon Armitage, to write an ode to those working in the Probation Service, acknowledging their work and efforts in a bid to encourage others to follow in their footsteps. Inspired by interviews with real probation staff and drawing on his own personal experiences in the Service, A Life in the Day Of seeks to change perceptions of the job as new research shows 35% of adults know nothing about what it’s like to work in probation roles. The poem offers a heartfelt thank you to everyone that continues to work in this important but often misunderstood profession. Want to make a positive impact in society? Find out more about Probation Service roles⬇️ 🔗 https://ow.ly/3V3J50Vk1fP An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you. © Simon Armitage, 2025