Sodexo’s Starting Fresh programme wins Social Impact & Diversity award at 2024 Footprint Awards
Sodexo’s Starting Fresh programme which aims to encourage UK businesses to recruit people with convictions has been recognised at the Footprint Awards for sustainability excellence, winning the Social Impact and Diversity award.
Sodexo launched its Starting Fresh initiative in the UK in March 2023 following research* it commissioned identifying that 62% of UK private sector businesses were facing recruitment challenges yet a third had not considered hiring people with convictions.
Starting Fresh leverages Sodexo’s extensive experience in the sector as an inclusive employer, to advocate for, and provide employment opportunities for, this often overlooked group. It offers free guidance to employers, encouraging more businesses to proactively recruit skilled and qualified people with convictions.
In its first year, Starting Fresh has
- facilitated employer days in prisons, allowing businesses to meet potential employees and learn about their skills and qualifications first hand.
- supported Sodexo’s Prison Employment Leads help 700 people to gain sustainable employment upon release from prison with a wide variety of organisations, including Sodexo.
- seen Sodexo partner with more than 20 charities and external organisations who all share the common goal of supporting those from prison into employment. These include the government’s New Futures Network, The Oswin Project, Clean Sheet and Novus Works.
The Starting Fresh online hub provides bespoke content and a raft of resources including FAQs, skills packs, case studies aimed at supporting prison leavers looking for employment and businesses looking to tap into this under-utilised talent pool.
Sodexo has 30 years’ experience in managing UK prisons on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Scottish Prison Service and is committed to rehabilitating offenders and providing opportunities for purposeful activity. Sodexo’s employment, education and rehabilitation services give people the support, skills and qualifications they need to lead law-abiding lives in the community on release.
*The research was conducted by Censuswide between 10.01.23 – 17.01.23, with 1,001 owners and senior leaders with hiring responsibilities across British businesses. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.
Find out more about Starting Fresh