How Own Merit is giving ex-prisoners the digital skills they need to succeed
Darryn Frost, co-founder of Own Merit CIC, explains the journey that has led him to help bridge the digital divide at Northampton’s newest café.
I moved to the UK from South Africa in 2005 and soon began working for Northampton Probation Service as a Business Development and Communications manager.
This role provided me with significant insights into the criminal justice system and the challenges it presents.
My journey in this field continued with a move to head office in London, where I worked across prisons and probation. My primary focus was on improving communications directly with people in prison and on probation.
There was a significant increase in suicides in prisons in the years leading up to 2016. Statistics show that suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, and men in prison are around 8 times more likely to take their own lives than men in the community.
Through a communications campaign and collaboration with various departments and the involvement of prison officers, my team and I managed to reduce the number of suicides, which felt like really meaningful work.
In 2019, I attended an event at Fishmongers' Hall in London to write an article for the staff intranet. The event was part of the "Learning Together" programme, organised by Cambridge University, which aimed to help serving prisoners study and earn degrees alongside Cambridge students.
During the event, a convicted terrorist attacked and killed some of the attendees. I, along with a kitchen porter, an ex-prisoner and a serving prisoner, intervened. Using a narwhal tusk from the wall, we managed to subdue the attacker until the police arrived. One of the individuals who helped was Steve Gallant, a prisoner serving a life sentence. We worked well together during the incident and later became friends.
I discussed with Steve the issue of prison leavers facing homelessness. I wanted to explore a new approach to see if we could safely house multiple prison leavers in a single household using existing funding streams. I didn't agree with the widespread belief that housing more than two prison leavers together creates a "university of crime". I believed it could be done safely with proper management, structure and monitoring.
In 2021, Steve and I co-founded Own Merit CIC, an organisation dedicated to supporting ex-prisoners.
Own Merit CIC has recently opened a café in Topnotch gym in Sol Central in Northampton, providing partnership and employment opportunities for ex-prisoners. This initiative aims to help them reintegrate into society and build a new life.
The café is not just a place for ex-prisoners to work; it is also a digital hub. The café is equipped with an iPad with internet access, allowing employees to run the café and develop their digital skills which are crucial in today's job market.
We have also installed a computer at the house because digital inclusion is a key component of Own Merit’s mission, as we aim to bridge the digital divide that many ex-prisoners face.
The digital training provided at the café includes basic computer skills, such as using word processing software and email, sharing the skills needed to run a business. The computer at the Own Merit accommodation is used to create the digital and print marketing materials.
Our plan is to increase the offer to include more advanced skills like coding and the use of AI. The training is intended to enhance the employability of ex-prisoners and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in the modern workforce.
In addition to digital skills training, the café and our housing provision also offers support in other areas, such as CV writing and job interview preparation. This holistic approach ensures that ex-prisoners are well-prepared to re-enter the job market and build a successful career.
The café has received positive feedback from both employees and customers. Employees appreciate the opportunity to gain work experience and develop new skills, while customers enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and the chance to support a good cause. We want the café to become a community hub, bringing people together and fostering a sense of belonging.
My work with Own Merit CIC is a continuation of my commitment to improving the lives of those involved in the criminal justice system. By providing ex-prisoners with employment opportunities and digital skills training, the café is helping to break the cycle of reoffending and create a brighter future for its employees.
It is early days. However, we hope the success of the café will lead to our expansion. Own Merit CIC hopes to open more cafés in other locations, providing even more ex-prisoners with the opportunity to rebuild their lives. We are exploring partnerships with other businesses and organisations to further support its mission.
By focusing on digital skills training and providing a supportive work environment, the café is making a positive impact on the lives of its employees and the wider community. It reflects my passion for improving the criminal justice system and supporting those who have been affected by it.