A BOLTON-BASED social enterprise is celebrating after raising more than £10,000 to help launch a programme to help find work for prison leavers.

The funding is in aid of Entrepreneurs Unlocked to help prison leavers into self-employed work in construction over a six-month period as part of its Build Back Up Project.

The scheme will provide access to training resources, assist with finding work in construction, and will give 30 prison leavers the tools and workwear they need to enable them to accept any offer of work as subcontractors.

Entrepreneurs Unlocked founder David Morgan

Entrepreneurs Unlocked founder David Morgan

Founder of Entrepreneurs Unlocked, David Morgan, said: “I am delighted that the crowdfunding campaign has been successful.

"It has been a rollercoaster of emotions from receiving the first few donations, building up the funds, to the tension of the last week of the campaign to get the project fully funded.

“It is proven that prison leavers who have a work plan upon leaving prison, so that they can be in control of their income, will be much less likely to re-offend and return to the prison system.

"On average, 45 per cent of adults released from custody re-offend within 12 months.

"The Build Back Up Project will help to buck this trend by providing our 30 prison leavers with the support they need to rejoin society.

"It is my intention to reach out to organisations that currently work with former prison residents as well as construction companies and get the project up and running as soon as possible."

Supporters of project include The Forward Trust and Skills Max, which both donated substantial amounts to the crowdfunding campaign.

Tevfick Souleiman, social enterprise development manager at The Forward Trust, said: “I am so pleased that the Build Back Up Crowd Funder project has reached its £10,000 target.

“With the support of Forward’s £5,000 match funding, the crucial training, tools and support can now be offered to 30 prison leavers to become self-employed.

"This will help rebuild the lives of those taking part, in terms of employment and new skills being learnt, to help progress the lives of the participants.”

Business owner of Skillsmax, a non-profit business that focuses on mobilising communities, Lynne Johnson, added: “I’m delighted for those who will benefit from this fund!

"Reaching the target is a testament to the confidence the sector has in Davids knowledge, skill and passion.”