Unlock - for people with criminal records

26/02/2025

❗ New roles at Unlock!

We've got two exciting vacancies:

📣 Communications and Policy Officer
💰 Fundraising Officer

If you've got the right experience and you're committed to changing the lives of people with criminal records, we can't wait to hear from you.

Find out more about both roles: https://unlock.org.uk/get-involved/work-for-us/

23/02/2025

On we want to thank our amazing helpline staff and volunteers, who provide information, advice and support to anyone with a criminal record.

19/02/2025

Our helpline gives more than just advice.

Our advisors provide a listening ear for people who often feel they have nowhere else to turn, without judgement.

18/02/2025

Join our team!

Are you passionate about helping more people access information, advice and support with their criminal record?

Are you based in London/the South East?

We're looking for a Community Network Coordinator to help us reach everyone who needs us.

Find out more: https://unlock.org.uk/opportunity/community-network-coordinator/

17/02/2025

In case you missed it: Unlock CEO Paula Harriott spoke to Civil Society about her journey from cell to CEO:

"I didn’t set out wanting to be a CEO...I set out wanting to help. I wanted to change things."

Unlock’s new chief executive discusses her journey into the charity sector, the ‘vulnerability’ of staff with lived experience, and hope for the future...

17/02/2025

This week to mark Helpline Awareness Day, we're shining a spotlight on the amazing support our helpline staff and volunteers provide.

If you need support with life after a criminal record, we're here for you: https://unlock.org.uk/the-helpline/

12/02/2025

📣 New briefing

As we continue to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA), we've published a new briefing outlining the complexity of the Act and the wider criminal records system that has developed around it.

We are calling for a wholesale review of our outdated criminal records system, which keeps people unfairly anchored to their past.

Read more: https://unlock.org.uk/the-complexity-of-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act/

11/02/2025

It's a busy week of influencing for our team. Using our 'ear to the ground, voice at the top' model we're taking the concerns of people with criminal records directly to the people who can create change:

💥 We will be speaking to NatWest bank about barriers to financial inclusion
💥 Our Head of Advice Debbie Sadler will join James Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending for a sector roundtable in parliament
💥 Next week some of our brilliant volunteers will be on an insight panel at the ICO, sharing their views as people with criminal records

04/02/2025

Join our team!

Are you passionate about helping more people access information, advice and support with their criminal record?

We're looking for a Community Network Coordinator based in London or the South East to help us reach everyone who needs us.

Find out more and apply: https://unlock.org.uk/opportunity/community-network-coordinator/

30/01/2025

Join our team!

Are you passionate about helping more people access information, advice and support with their criminal record?

We're looking for a Community Network Coordinator to help us reach everyone who needs us.

Find out more: https://unlock.org.uk/opportunity/community-network-coordinator/

29/01/2025

✨ New Vacancy at Unlock ✨

Are you passionate about helping more people access information, advice and support with their criminal record?

We're looking for a Community Network Coordinator to help us reach everyone who needs us.

Find out more and apply: https://unlock.org.uk/opportunity/community-network-coordinator/

27/01/2025

James's story is all too familiar: people are often advised to accept cautions and told that it won't show on DBS checks or doesn't count as a criminal record.

This is an example of why the complex, outdated criminal records system needs to change.

https://unlock.org.uk/personal_story/the-hidden-consequences-of-accepting-a-caution/