Entrepreneurs Unlocked helping prisoners away from crime

Now he is bringing his entrepreneurial expertise to a new place – prison.

For five years, David has been teaching prisoners across the North West the skills they need to run their own business.

David, founder and director of Entrepreneurs Unlocked, said: “They often don’t see being an entrepreneur as an option.

“They might think getting a job is the only way to earn money on the outside.

“But, employers don't always look past convictions.

“And might see someone with a criminal record as a business risk.

“But there are less restrictions when it comes to working for oneself.

“It can be an eye-opener, realising they can work for themselves with the skills they have."

(Image: Public)

David had eight years of experience teaching business and enterprise in prisons before he started Entrepreneurs Unlocked.

Before that, he taught in sixth form colleges.

He said: “I found that 16 to 19-year-olds didn’t have the life experience needed to take the leap into starting their own business.

“In the years I spent teaching at prisons, I spoke to 2,000 men.

“I saw they were enterprising and wanted to find a way to use their skills.

“They were often less risk averse.

“And willing to try things that others wouldn't.

“That gave them an advantage in working for themselves.”

Entrepreneurs Unlocked ambassadors (Left to right: David Morgan, John Hastings, Sam Smith and Darryl Kennedy) (Image: Public)

And after all those years of teaching, a trip to America sparked an idea.

He said: “I had gone there on a Winston Churchill Fellowship, looking at best practices for teaching in prisons to bring back to the UK.

“I saw some exceptional programmes.

"They helped prisoners build skills before they were released, working with them to change themselves as well as learn to run a business.

“At that time, half of US prisoners reoffended after leaving prison, or committed another crime .

“But those programmes brought the reoffending rate down to anywhere between 7 per cent to never doing it again.

“I realised that I wanted to start my own social enterprise.”

In 2019, Entrepreneurs Unlocked CIC was born.

David said: “It's a small social enterprise, but it's mine.

“We run workshops in prisons to help them identify their business idea and develop it.

“We begin by finding out their skills and address knowledge gaps.

“That can be maths or English classes, or courses in trades like bricklaying or painting and decorating.

“While they're in custody, we help them develop a business plan they can use once released to take their idea from a piece of paper to that could be earning an income.

“And think about resources they need to get started.

“It’s empowering. We ignite a spark.

“Many people in prison have low literacy or numeracy rates. Or are neurodiverse.

“Their learning style can be different.

“Or they might have been excluded or not done well academically.

“It can make them feel like no one believes in them so why believe in themselves.

“If their peer group comes from criminality, they might not feel much hope for the future.

“We want to raise their aspirations so they can see themselves as role models, earn money and make their families proud.

“And don't need to see committing crime as a way to survive.

“We bring in ambassadors, people who are social entrepreneurs but were previously in prison, to inspire them with messages of hope.

“Some of our ambassadors include John Hastings, founder of Recycle-IT, Sam Smith, of Genuine Futures CIC and Darryl Kendal of Crime Guardians CIC.

“People that we've worked with have gone on to be graphic artists, web designers, plasters, painters. It’s a varied bag.”

Paul, not his real name, was on a custodial sentence when he started working with Entrepreneurs Unlocked.

He had done vocational work and was “always good with his hands”.

He was interested in setting up his own handyman business, but needed help with the legal ins and outs of becoming an entrepreneur.

And needed advice on pricing and marketing his services.

Since attending David’s workshops, he feels more confident charging appropriate rates and branching out from friends and family to other customers.

He said: “David has been very helpful, friendly and patient and has always made time for me.

“I know if I have any trouble or questions, he will help.

“I have many different experiences being a handyman and maintenance expert.

“But David helped me broaden my horizons. And widen my business with funding to get my gardening.

“Here’s to the future.”

Entrepreneurs Unlocked has brought its workshops to prisoners across the North West and North Wales.

David said: “We want to expand. And work with other people with barriers to employment.

“We’ve done some work with veterans and refugees.

“And young people who are not in education or training (NEET) or at risk of NEET.”

To find out more, visit https://entrepreneursunlocked.org/