Recognising employment as the key to reducing offending, crime prevention charity Key4Life amassed 25+ business leaders from Bristol and the Southwest at Triodos Bank’s Bristol offices,catalysing a rare chance for them to engage with a group of ex-offenders and galvanise employment opportunities for the men.
The business representatives attending - from companies such as Atkins Realis, Hays, Lancer Scott, Nisbets, RG Group, Wagamama and Wessex Water – did a series of mock interviews with 15 ex-offenders currently enrolled on Key4Life’s six-month rehabilitation programme, which included prolific criminals who had been in and out of prison since their early teens. Smartly suited and booted and armed with CVs, the men were eager for changein their lives and determined to make the most of this precious opportunity to interface with employers.
Eva Hamilton MBE, CEO of Key4Life, who founded the charity in 2012 in response to the (2011) London Riots, said:
“A staggering 12 million people have a criminal record in Britain, representative of a huge pool of untapped talent, largely overlooked by society. Research shows that 50% of UK employers would not employ an ex-offender, and for far too many companies, inviting job applications from men with convictions is purely a tick box exercise.
“In Key4Life’s 12 years of rehabilitating ex-offenders we have been continuously shown that meaningful employment is the absolute gamechanger, giving our young men the stability, self-respect and sense of purpose they need to stay away from crime. We need to see businesses really step up now and give ex-offenders another chance.”
The 15 Key4Life participants, which included many young men who had never been interviewed before, made a very positive impression during their mock interviews with the companies.
Zoe Joyner, Community & Engagement Manager for Nisbets, a catering equipment supplier, which has previously employed ex-offenders, said:
“The men were fantastic, well prepared and ready for work. Nisbets has been involved with Key4Life for 10 years and today really showed how far the charity has come. These events are an important opportunity for employers to meet face-to-face with these young men and see that they are just normal human beings who deserve a second chance. It’s our responsibility to put them on a right path.”
With an unrivalled track record for reducing reoffending, a minimum of 65% of Key4Life’s graduates are gainfully employed within a year of release (versus a government rate of 16%), and the charity’s reoffending rateis a maximum of 7% compared to a government figure of 64%.
Robert, a programme participant, recently released from prison said:
“Today has been amazing. I’ve done some good interviews, had some great feedback and hopefully one of the companies will take me on. Thank you Key4Life for helping me onto a positive path.”
Danny, a fellow participant and former convict who wants to be a restaurant chef, said:
”It’s been inspirational. There were so many companies willing to give ex-offenders chances when normally there’s always no chance for men like me coming out of prison. It’s like a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Lauren Robbin, Early Careers Partner at Wagamama, who expressed interest in providing Danny with a Work Taster in one of their restaurants, said:
“We have met some incredible men today, looking to find meaningful careers. They’ve got amazing skills, and by pushing aside the barriers that normally block them from getting access to employers, Key4Life has helped them see that they are worthy of this opportunity. We would love to offer as many opportunities as possible.”
Eva Hamilton MBE concluded:
“I am so grateful to all the companies who came today, supporting us to get our men on the right track. I urge many more companies in Bristol and Southwest to join this vital movement for corporate social change and offer jobs and Work Tasters to men with convictions.”
For more information about Key4Life and to find out how your business can help drive social change by giving young ex-offenders another chance, visit: www.key4life.org.uk