Bolton social enterprise, Entrepreneurs Unlocked, launches the Hidden Entrepreneur event on 17 November to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, at HMP Thorn Cross in Warrington.
Entrepreneurs Unlocked works with people with criminal histories, and those on the fringes of society, to recognise, develop and utilise their entrepreneurial talent to lead crime-free lives, and help them to embark on a new pathway by providing specialist programmes, advice, and support.
The Hidden Entrepreneur event will highlight the entrepreneurial talent of people in prison, where businesses and voluntary groups will come together to discover how Entrepreneurs Unlocked and HMP Thorn Cross have been helping people to change their lives and lead crime-free futures.
Entrepreneurs Unlocked founder David Morgan said: “The Hidden Entrepreneur event is the first of event of its kind to showcase the entrepreneurial talent of people in prison. We will highlight this pathway for people that not only reduces the risk of re-offending but also demonstrates the social and economic value of entrepreneurship.
“I am grateful to HMP Thorn Cross for allowing us to host the event, to all of our speakers for sharing their inspirational stories, and to all the businesses who are joining us as together we can really make a difference in people’s lives by supporting them on their new entrepreneurial pathway.”
John Hastings, Business Owner of RecycleIt! said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at the Hidden Entrepreneur event. I run an award-winning social enterprise, but I have a criminal conviction and I have had a custodial sentence.
“I’m attending as I think it’s important to support people in prison and with convictions, and to show them that there are routes through the barriers they face upon leaving prison. I’m looking forward to seeing what new talent and ideas there are, and to provide some of my own insights into the pitfalls that have tripped me up on my own journey from prison through to running a successful business, and of course to share the positives that you get from becoming an entrepreneur.
“I hope that the ‘hidden entrepreneurs’ attending the event will be inspired, and that the event will give them the confidence needed to go out to market with their business. Above all, I want them to have a future, upon leaving prison.”
Hidden Entrepreneur, Simon* said: “I am both excited and nervous to be given the opportunity to speak at this event and to showcase my idea for starting a business after being released. I recognise that I have been in custody for a number of years, but during this time, I have been able to gain qualifications, develop and refine new skills in construction, and I now have the belief that I can be a different person than who I was when I was sent to prison. I look forward to being able to connect with people that are willing and able to help me realise my ambition.”
John from RecycleIt! explains why he thinks business should get involved: “I think that businesses should come to the event at HMP Thorn Cross to see the talent that many of the people in prison have. This talent shouldn’t be wasted. People in prison have sets of skills that are transferrable, and businesses can provide the guidance and a chance in industry that they so need to see where their skills can take them.”
The Hidden Entrepreneur event will feature guest speakers, some of which will be people with previous convictions who are now running their own businesses. There will also be a business pitching competition, with men from HMP Thorn Cross, who have been provided self-employment programmes and support from Entrepreneurs Unlocked, pitching to the businesses attending the event with their own business ideas, to look to receive essential support upon their release and to realise their ambitions.
Lunch will be provided by HMPasties, a Bolton based business that employs people with convictions, and the founder a former prisoner turned social entrepreneur.
The money raised from ticket sales to the Hidden Entrepreneur event will be used to launch a grant for the men, to help to start their businesses, upon release. Entrepreneurs Unlocked will be match funding the money raised, up to £1000.
To book a place on the Hidden Entrepreneur event visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hidden-entrepreneur-tickets-422441522967
To find out more about Entrepreneurs Unlocked visit www.entrpreneursunlocked.org.uk
