So are you going to come back and let us know how you get on, GGG?

Hi Aspire

I do agree also, regarding the two separate threads. What search terms are you using? I am not finding half as much as you, apart from my new mate Richard Branson...

Yep, Moderator. Two separate threads please and stickies please ?

https://cleansheet.org.uk/

I found this link from your link, Aspire.

It's Penelope Pitstop, innit? She's squeaky clean and very, very nice. (There was a moment of madness behind my choice of av)

I'm seeing a business opportunity building here...

Are you?

I reckon it's worth a go... 

Hum, I'm tracking Richard down.  Found him on Facebook.  Two of my friends are his friends...  I'll be speaking to them later.    Maybe we could interview him for UNLOCK??? 

I have found how to contact his people and am requesting an interview for The Record. I shall copy and paste over my email to him.

Chris S... Hope you don't mind, but it's worth a go. I am using UNLOCK'S home page as reference and just going for it, might hear nothing, might hear something.

See what happens...

Be back in a mo...

I have contacted him via "his people" via his Virgin Unite website, whereby people can request him as a public speaker. And dumped the responsibility onto UNLOCK themselves. But I do think it is worth a page or two in The Record, even if we hear nothing. Maybe in the summer...

UNLOCK is an association for reforming and reformed offenders. We are currently running a project on our online forum regarding employing reforming offenders. We are not holding an event as such, we are requesting if we could interview Mr Branson regarding his thoughts around employing reforming offenders to reduce the re-offending rate in Britain. This interview would be placed in our monthly edition of The Record. Regarding social enterprise schemes that are currently in place, we, as an association encourage reforming offenders, (reforming by way, of accepting their crime and attempting to move on in life), to overcome barriers in all areas of their lives and to move forward from their crimes and onto a brighter future. Securing employment is part of the moving-on process and with the current employers who share these thoughts, it is reducing re-offending.

UNLOCK as a charity continually assist reforming offenders in their journey from sentencing to rehabilitation and onwards. UNLOCK offer free help to reforming offenders in all areas of life, insurance policies, all areas of finance, travel issues and general help in moving on, regardless of their crimes. The biggest barrier by far for reforming offenders, is employment and there are daily questions on UNLOCK forums regarding disclosure and criminal record checking. There are almost 9 million people in the UK who have criminal convictions, this forms a large section of the population who at some point in their lives will face discrimination in one way or another. With increasing exemption from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act of 1974 by many companies, there are people who are struggling to find employment, even when convictions are spent.

I can be emailed on the above address and we are happy to have only 20 minutes of Mr Branson's time if this would be something he would consider. I attach a copy of The Record for your perusal and you are welcome to contact UNLOCK directly. All contact details for UNLOCK are on the home page of this link: https://www.unlock.org.uk/staticpage.aspx?pid=149&utm_source=The+Record&utm_campaign=b6584fffd1-theRecord+July+2012&utm_medium=email