Helping ex-offenders into work

Steve Mellor (aged 35), manager of Bolton branch of Timpson’s and personal boxing trainer
Steve Mellor

I was thrown out of school when I was 13. By the time I was 18, I was selling drugs with friends. We got into a fight with some other dealers, and my friend stabbed and killed one of them. I got life for joint enterprise.

Inside, I decided I had to sort myself out. I couldn’t read or write, so I took every course I could, starting with numeracy and literacy and moving on to NVQs in engineering and fitness instruction, then an Open University diploma in sports psychology. I realised I really could turn myself round.

I also did an intensive cognitive self-help course – several hours, every day, for six years. You get down to the basic truths about yourself and go down some very hurtful paths. But that was the best course I did.

In 2010, I had an interview for Timpson’s academy scheme. I trained while inside, then on the job. Now I run my own shop, do all the stocktaking, invoicing... It’s daunting, the faith they put in you! They lent me £1,000 when I was released, to get me started. It’s unbelievable. I had sleepless nights thinking, “Who’s going to want to employ me?”

I had a baby boy at Christmas so now I’ve got a family. I’ve never been happier – it’s brilliant. But you can’t ever forget where you’ve been, so that you never go back...

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