Enterprise Gateway
Individual:
Cantilever Partnership
Programme:
Future Innovators
Discipline:
Enterprise Education
Location:
Lancaster
Funding:
£199,858
Year funded:
2005
Website:
www.seas-online.org.uk
Description/aims
The Enterprise Gateway project gives young offenders the chance to re-think their life choices, get involved in personal development workshops and develop their enterprise skills through social enterprise initiatives.
Chosen by the young offenders, these could range from developing a 'Welcome Pack' for new inmates, to improving recycling facilities or putting together a radio show.
They will be supported in this with specific skills training, helping them achieve their objectives and providing them with practical experience that they may choose to build on once released.
Why we funded
This pilot project was commissioned by NESTA as a partnership between Cantilever Partnership, Youth at Risk and Supporting Others through Volunteer Action (SOVA).
"Offenders often need a dynamic and hands-on approach to developing their skills," Deirdre Vimpany of Cantilever Partnership explains. "NESTA's research showed that there was the potential to address this by encouraging enterprise and offering training in this area.
"They introduced us to Youth at Risk, and we worked together to develop this programme, combining our knowledge and experience. It has been an enormously exciting process."
Impact/benefit
This project will hopefully demonstrate a different way of training and supporting young offenders; one that has the potential to break the re-offending cycle.
The training programme will conclude with a one-day conference celebrating individual success stories, and kick-starting the consolidation and dissemination of learning.
All those taking part will have access to ongoing mentoring for six to nine months after being released, helping them reach their goals.