Launching Unlocked Graduates’ 2023 Cohort

We were delighted to welcome our new Unlocked 2023 Cohort to the Unlocked Graduates 2023 Cohort Launch Event last month!

The 2023 cohort come together to meet their fellow participants, to learn more about the programme and to hear from key speakers.

We kickstarted the day with an introduction from Unlocked CEO and Founder, Natasha Porter OBE:

“I’m so thrilled to be welcoming our 2023 Unlocked Graduates Cohort today! I’m excited to see the impact that this group of people will have on our prisons and the people we hold in them.”

The session that followed saw Unlocked Programme Director, Bella Atkinson, and Head of Delivery, Samantha Farr, discussing the initial steps on the Unlocked participant journey leading up to Summer Institute, beginning in July 2023:

“We exist for prisoners. They are our key stakeholders, and the most important people in our work. It is our job to provide you with the tools and support you need, so that you can provide that brilliant support to those in your care.

You have chosen this graduate scheme because you wanted to create change, and you believe that prisoners deserve better.

You get out what you put in on the programme. Take up all of the opportunities you can, such as mental health first aid training.

You are in a really privileged position to be able to contribute to research within the sector, using your frontline knowledge from prisons.”

Following lunch, we held a panel sharing experiences and the support available on the Unlocked Leadership Development Programme.

Chaired by Unlocked Mentoring Prison Officer (MPO) and Ambassador, Kat, the panel featured Ambassadors Leigh-Anne, Katrice and Rishika, as well as current participants George, Bea and Katie:

Bea: “My highlights of the Unlocked programme are those little bits of joy each day – the changes that you see in the people you work with. You get to see the progression that individuals make in there life. Never take that for granted!”

Kat: “It is a challenging role, but what you may think is a small win, is actually something that has the power to save someone’s whole life.”

Rishika: “I’ve gained so much patience and emotional intelligence on the Unlocked programme. I’m now able to adapt in any situation and any environment. Sometimes I can’t believe all of the things that I have been able to achieve at Unlocked.”

Katrice: “Being your authentic self at work starts now. If there is an opportunity to speak to prisoners, always be yourself. It will shine through and help you to be part of the change.”

The next session brought together people with lived experience of the criminal justice system: Godfrey, Nirmal and Paul, with Unlocked Ambassador and Selection Officer, Grace Gachoki:

Paul: “There will be people you interact with who will never come back to prison again. Keep pushing to make that change.”

Nirmal: “I managed to get myself a BSc thanks to an officer who pushed me to change. It has enabled me to be here where I am today.”

Godfrey: “Speak to the prisoners in your care on a human level to push them in the right direction. So whether that’s mental health support or drug rehabilitation support – that might improve their circumstances to not return to prison.”

Hear further ex-prisoner insights here.

The final session of the day saw Recruitment Director Erin McKelvey alongside Grace Gachoki outlining what to expect from the next step on the Unlocked journey – the Prison Immersion Day:

“I was initially nervous for my Prison Immersion Day, but it made me so much more excited to start the Unlocked programme. I was fascinated to start the training at Summer Institute, and it was a great chance to speak to prisoners.”

Thank you to everyone who attended for making the day so special. We look forward to welcoming the 2023 cohort to the Unlocked programme this summer at our Summer Institute!