Tees Valley charity bracing for more demand as prisoners are released early
Clean Slate Solutions are expecting increased numbers who need their support
A Tees Valley charity that helps people with past convictions into employment say they're bracing themselves to be busy.
Clean Slate Solutions, based in Middlesbrough, are expecting increased numbers who need their support due to the early prisoner release scheme.
Paul Malcolm, operations director, said: "We help people with past convictions into employment. That can involve a range of different offences over different time periods: historical offences, very recent offences. Some people have a list of offences for various different things over a long period of time; others have been convicted of one solitary offence. We help them into employment.
"We are very aware that it's a big barrier and it can close a lot of doors for people. The idea is that Clean Slate are here to open those doors. We work with a network of very dedicated employers. We put everything in place, we break down those barriers, and we allow people to go and work, earn a living and feel like they're contributing to society, which is absolutely fantastic. The system does work.
"We are very lucky in that we have a range of different employers who cover a lot of different industries and sectors. So we do have some good options for people, depending on their physical capabilities, their mental capacity to be able to work at any given time, commitments around childcare, and other responsibilities.
"Housing is a huge issue. We can't work with anyone who isn't in stable accommodation. We need that to take away any chaos that might affect someone's journey into employment and their ability to stay in that job. But yes, we will always endeavour to break down any barriers we can. That can include interview clothes and identification. We can help with transport; we sometimes source bikes for people so they can get to their place of work.
"We have staff members with lived experience, and that includes myself. We are all aware of how difficult it is. We've walked in these people's shoes. We understand that you'll doubt your ability to work, and you'll doubt whether anyone actually wants to employ you. Believe me, they do. There's so much talent out there, including people with convictions. It doesn't define you.
"People make mistakes; things happen to people. It's how you respond, and we are here to help people respond in the right way, because we know how easy it is to get stuck in a position where you feel like there's no way out, like you're never going to be employable again. But that's absolutely not the case. There is always an employer out there. We have a large network who are willing to take a chance on people.
"It will only work if the person themselves wants it. They need to want it more than us, if I'm totally honest, because we are there to help and support them on their journey. But if the genuine desire isn't there to work, it's not going to work.
"We have people coming to us who never thought they'd be able to secure work. We see first-hand how much of a difference it can make: a child looking up to their mother or father, seeing them working for the first time, seeing them bringing home money that can then fund a good family lifestyle. No risk of the police knocking on the door at 5 o'clock in the morning, taking mam or dad away."
They're also urging business owners to come forward if they're willing to take a chance on ex-offenders by giving them a job.