In 2025, Bradley published a book about his life. It is called Shadow in the Dark. He writes about his time in foster care and in prison, and fighting for justice through the courts. Here, Bradley shares his journey.
Please note: this article mentions abuse.
First steps
I hadn’t done much writing before. I didn’t progress well at school as I was so distracted by the abuse. Later on, I had done a bit of college but my life was so troubled. Learning felt impossible when I was still dealing with the impact of abuse.
But I knew I had something within myself. What got me into writing was letters. I had written to my Support Coordinator about my needs. She said my letter was a really good piece of writing.
Sometimes, people need encouragement. They don’t know the skills they have; they don’t find out until later in their life. I’m fortunate to have been supported by Future Pathways. Without them, I might never have known the skill I had for writing.
In my own words
I thought I would try to write everything down as a book. I was hesitant at first. But I thought ‘just write from A to Z, from start to finish’. I did it to the best of my memory, intelligence, knowledge and truth.
Writing Shadow in the Dark gave me the chance to write about the way my life was and what I went through. And, importantly, it was in my own words. Instead of hearing about my experience in the words of a social worker, a police officer or a judge, I got to say it myself.
A sense of belonging again
When you have been abused in care, you can feel like the impact doesn’t end. My book describes dealing with social care, psychiatric care and the prison system.
When I was in prison, I was locked out of society. My book was like an introduction into society again. I’ve put something I have made into the world and it’s the best thing I’ve done in my life.
Now I can feel like I’ve achieved something. When I saw a copy of my book, I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘That’s me! I’ve done that! This is my words!’. It felt like the most positive step.
Calling for change
Abuse can cause huge destruction in people’s lives. For a long time, it was like I was chasing my own ghost and left with nothing. But through my book, I felt I could challenge people, get them to listen and hold them to account.
In Shadows in the Dark, I talk about my fight for recognition and going to court. When I got justice, I finally got some peace. I felt everything being returned: my dignity, my pride, my innocence and my self-respect.
But changes still need to be made. Professionals and services could do better. They need to protect people more, respond to abuse in the right way, and be better at dealing with perpetrators. I hope my book can help people see the changes that need to happen.
Raising awareness
I’ve started writing another book. This one is about mental health and my experience in hospital on a psychiatric ward. There is positive work in psychiatry, but it still needs improvement. When you are in such a vulnerable state, you really need to be taken care of.
People can make assumptions about others that have poor mental health. You don’t know what people are going through. Sometimes, when people hear the words ‘poor mental health’, they hear an alarm bell. They can feel fear, alarm or curiosity. Instead, I want people to be more understanding.
New ways of living
When you are dealing with your abuse, and you’re by yourself, you might turn to drugs for comfort. But now, I’m finding other avenues instead, like connecting more with other people. I joined Voices for a Better Future. They have all had difficult experiences, but they keep going. And they encourage me too: they show me that I’m not alone.
I hope my book helps people find other ways to cope too. I thought I could pull someone out of a hole by describing the hole I was in. Maybe people will connect to that. I am still here: my book shows you can survive.
Shadow in the Dark: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Bradley’s shares his life, from neglect and foster care, through addiction and time in prison. Throughout his book is a sense of resilience and fighting for justice. We see how facing the past can be a battle, but that a different future is possible.
Discover more
Bradley took part in our VOICES film series. Each person has their own unique story to tell; together they show resilience, change, determination, hope, healing and inspiration.
In his film, Bradley talks about owning his story, finding the courage to speak up, showing that that justice is possible – and that one voice can inspire another.
