Entrepreneurs Unlocked CIC is a Social Enterprise, our mission is to create pathways for individuals on society’s margins to thrive through entrepreneurship.

We work primarily with those in custody, on probation, and recently released from prison, offering them the tools, support, and resources to develop their talents, build their own businesses, and contribute positively to their communities. Our commitment to social justice and reducing reoffending drives us to make self-employment a viable, first-choice option for those who need it most.

For many people whose career prospects may be limited due to their criminal record entrepreneurship and self-employment could be the best pathway.

In addition, by working with veterans, refugees, disabled entrepreneurs, young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET and others facing significant barriers to employment, Entrepreneurs Unlocked aims to empower the most disadvantaged individuals in society, offering a chance for financial independence and a crime-free future.

Our vision is to expand this impact, with plans to launch digital resources for all UK prisons and to establish new community-based business hubs.

Empowering People To Change Their Future

Individuals explore their ideas to see if self-employment is for them before working through the next steps. Everything is covered from how to develop their business idea and building a business plan to marketing and paying tax.

With over 700,000 people registered as self-employed in the construction sector, there are many opportunities to have a career in this sector. Our Smart Subcontractor programme helps people to see how they can make a start and access the range of opportunities on offer.

Supporting Our Communities

At Entrepreneurs Unlocked, we are deeply committed to helping individuals lead crime-free, self-sustaining lives. By supporting them in building their own businesses, we enable individuals to gain financial control, reduce their risk of reoffending, and contribute positively to society. With reoffending costs estimated at £18 billion annually, our work has a direct and measurable impact on both the individuals we serve and the wider community.

We have established strong partnerships with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), as well as numerous voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Greater Manchester. For example,  we collaborated with Salford CVS to host an entrepreneur showcase event for people furthest from the labour market, connecting people with over 30 local organisations and supporters

Through initiatives like our Recycle-IT CIC partnership and Genuine Futures CIC we are also addressing environmental challenges, developing training programs that focus on digital skills and sustainable business practices for young people and people on probation. These initiatives develop the people’s practical and vocational skills in a supportive environment so they can learn though experience. These will enable them to recognise and develop their entrepreneurial talent, and be introduced to other enterprises and employers to gain valuable experience in the workplace.

Our most recent programme is engaging with women with settled status to develop products and services to sell to their local communities as a way to earn additional income to support themselves and their families.

We also recognise that military veterans have a number of transferable skills, and for those considering setting up their own business, we have developed the Defender to Entrepreneur Programme.

Purposeful Activity To Support Rehabilitation

Entrepreneurs Unlocked CIC work closely with prison and probation partners and enhance purposeful activity by providing a variety of delivery methods including in-cell, distance learning, virtual and face to face workshops.

Prisons can broaden their learning and skills provision in a cost-effective and reportable way by working with us. All activity is fully reportable so you can monitor performance and trends to proactively develop the prison curriculum. You can also prepare for Ofsted inspections by providing evidence of successful outcomes with these programmes.

Our programmes seek to tackle unemployment and high re-offending rates by delivering workshops designed to tackle softer outcomes such as low self-confidence and low self-esteem, which can be barriers to setting up as self-employed. We will help develop coping strategies, develop resilience and support each person to recognise, appreciate and prepare for the extent of their challenges when leaving prison.

Contributing To Society

Many people with criminal histories want to become positive contributors to society and entrepreneurship skills and mindsets can help them.

With almost 2 in 3 adults with custodial sentences of less than one year re-offending within 12 months of release the total cost to the public purse is in excess of £18billion a year. Our aim is to help reduce this cost and help people become tax paying members of society and future employers too!

With almost 5 million people in the UK classed as self-employed, which is 15% of the workforce, it makes economic sense for people to explore this pathway.

With Small and Medium Enterprises accounting for 60% of the employment and 50% of the GDP for the private sector, surely enabling someone to add to the growth of the economy is a good thing.

Just think..

Who would you rather live next door to? Someone who is at risk of re-offending, creating more victim of crime and costing the economy or an entrepreneur and business owner, supporting themselves and contributing to the much needed growth of the economy.

Experience

Its founder has over 14 years’ experience in developing and delivering business start up programmes, enterprise skills and leadership and management programmes. This is underpinned by 20 years private sector experience in manufacturing and business management.

Insights

By engaging with and listening to the needs of people in custody and in the community, the organisation has learnt from their experiences, and help it to inform and enhance its programmes on offer.

Commitment

Developing rapport and a trusted relationship are vital elements to enable an individual to progress. The support does not stop at the prison gate of the end of a programme.

Accredited

As an Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) Academy, you can be assured that our programmes and support on offer is of the highest quality.