Choirs Beating Time (who run a weekly singing & performance group in HMP Featherstone to assist with mental health issues, social inclusion & develop employability skills: team working, communication, listening, presentation skills etc.), together with the MITIE Foundation are running a Business & Singing Challenge event at HMP Featherstone on Thursday 26th April as part of the Business Festival and would love local businesses to come and join them and participate in a great event.
What will the day look like?
The day will be a highly participative dragons’ den style event with business partners working in teams of two’s and three’s with HMP Featherstone ‘residents’ throughout the day. The event involves motivational activities to develop entrepreneurial and communication skills, to enhance participant’s employment prospects upon release. The men who participate will be the Featherstone singing group members plus others who are carefully selected by the prison staff.
Typical Business Challenge Day Programme:
09:00 Meet at HMP Featherstone
09:15 Welcome and briefing
09:25 Tour of the prison workshops
10:10 ‘The Challenge’ is set
10:25 Market research
10:50 Refreshment break
11:00 Marketing, Finance and Delivery meetings
11:45 Prepare business pitch
12:30 Lunch & discussion
13:30 Group singing challenge
14.15 Business pitch presentations
14:45 Awards (best product, best team, individual prizes)
15:00 Next steps
15:15 Discussions with Business Partners
16:00 Summary, ‘thank-you’ and close
Who should attend?
We are looking for employers to submit their interest in taking part in this challenge. Employers should want to understand and are willing to find out more about the potential of employing ex offenders and the advantages of this skilled workforce in the Black Country.
No preparation required! - Business Partners do not need to do any preparation for this event. Full briefings and guidance are provided throughout the day. Please note that no mobile phones or electronic equipment are allowed in the prison, plus you will be required to bring photo ID with you.