Premier League pasties for Bolton ex-cons firm

A PASTY shop which helps ex-prisoners turn their lives around has received national recognition for its work.

H.M.Pasties was set up by Lee Wakeham, an ex-offender with the aim to "bring out the good inside" by employing men like him to make and sell handmade Cornish-style pasties in Greater Manchester.

The Bolton-based social enterprise was born in 2018 with support from the Big Lottery Fund, Forward Trust and the Santander Foundation.

Lee Wakeham, who founded the project, values the importance of second chances - and says that serving time in jail back in 1997 allowed him to "turn his life around".

By the age of 19, the former recruitment worker had served two sentences in H.M.P Sudbury, as a result of violent behaviour which came from difficulties growing up in the care system.

During his second prison sentence he received counselling which helped him to confront his issues head on.

Since then, he has used his own experiences to help other men like him - by employing him in his enterprise.

The social enterprise employs ex-offenders fresh out of custody and aims to equip them with the skills to build a life on the outside world.

Lee, 45, originally from Plymouth, said: "Our objective is to get people just out of prison who might not be able to sustain employment with a normal employer.

"It can be hard coming from life in prison to life on the outside without any help. We act as a transition - allowing people to make mistakes, learn from them, and continuing growing."

The group's work has paid off - and the enterprise has been named as one of the finalists in this years BBC Food awards in the Best Producer category.

Lee added: "It doesn't feel real, I'm still in shock actually. It's quite overwhelming, looking at past winners."

H.M.Pasties has also been contacted by Manchester City FC, and will be supplying matchday pasties at the Etihad this season.

Lee added: "I'm looking to employ around eight people by the end of September.

"Coming out of jail can be really difficult, with many coming out with no benefits, no accommodation and no stable relationships. Sometimes people need help to get back on their feet."

H.M.Pasties is opening up a shop in Bolton next Friday - just in time for the 16th annual Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

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