Lee’s Piping Hot Project Helps Ex-Offenders Get Back into Work
What started as a craving for a proper pasty in Manchester has grown into a successful business and a life-changing opportunity for ex-offenders. Lee Wakeham’s journey from a troubled childhood to becoming the founder of HMPasties Limited and the HMPasties Foundation is a testament to the transformative power of second chances. The National Lottery’s support has played a key role in turning Lee’s vision into a reality—helping him provide employment and training to ex-offenders, enabling them to re-enter the workforce and turn their lives around.
Lee’s inspiration came in 2012, when he couldn’t find a decent pasty in Manchester, so he began baking his own. After sharing his homemade pasties at a street party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, he realized that his passion for pasty-making could become a business. Fast forward to 2020, and HMPasties was born. Today, Lee’s company has an annual turnover of over £750,000, with plans to double that in the near future. It supplies Liverpool FC with match-day pasties and operates a stand outside Manchester City’s ground, alongside other high-profile clients like Stockport County FC, The University of Manchester, and Jodrell Bank.
However, Lee’s path to success wasn’t straightforward. Growing up in foster care, he faced severe abuse, which led to a life of anger, violence, and crime. After several stints in prison, Lee found redemption through therapy and work in a factory, eventually discovering his true passion during his time with The Salford Prison Project. That led to the launch of HMPasties, a business not just focused on pasties, but on offering a fresh start to ex-offenders who struggle to find work after release.
Lee’s team at HMPasties now includes 11 employees, a quarter of whom are ex-offenders who receive training and the chance to build their careers. The Foundation’s mission goes beyond baking; it’s about instilling soft skills like teamwork, discipline, and commitment to help individuals break free from the cycle of crime and unemployment.
The National Lottery’s support has been crucial in helping HMPasties get off the ground, with funding that helped establish the business and raise its profile through campaigns like The People’s Projects. Without this support, Lee believes that HMPasties wouldn’t have reached the level of success it enjoys today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is HMPasties?
HMPasties is a bakery business founded by Lee Wakeham, offering delicious pasties and pies. It also serves as a social enterprise, providing employment opportunities for ex-offenders and helping them reintegrate into the workforce.
2. How did HMPasties get started?
Lee Wakeham started making his own pasties after struggling to find a good one in Manchester. He took a batch to a street party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and the positive response led him to start the business, which officially launched in 2020.
3. What does the HMPasties Foundation do?
The HMPasties Foundation is a National Lottery-funded charity that employs ex-offenders at HMPasties, providing them with training, work experience, and the soft skills necessary to help them transition into full-time work and break the cycle of re-offending.
4. How does HMPasties help ex-offenders?
HMPasties offers ex-offenders a second chance by providing them with work, training, and the opportunity to develop life skills. Lee and his team offer guidance on workplace behavior, teamwork, and discipline, which are crucial for long-term success in the workforce.
5. What types of pasties does HMPasties make?
HMPasties specializes in a variety of pies and pasties, including traditional meat pasties and vegetarian options. They are known for their quality and delicious flavors.
6. How has National Lottery funding supported HMPasties?
The National Lottery has been instrumental in HMPasties’ growth, providing early-stage funding that helped establish the business and promote it to a wider audience through The People’s Projects initiative. This funding enabled Lee to grow his business, attract more customers, and offer training and employment opportunities to ex-offenders.
7. What was The People’s Projects?
The People’s Projects was a National Lottery initiative where the public could vote on how £4 million of National Lottery funding should be allocated to various community projects. HMPasties received £16,000 in the early days, helping it gain publicity and support.
8. How many people does HMPasties employ?
HMPasties employs 11 people, with a quarter of them being ex-offenders. The business provides them with the opportunity to learn valuable workplace skills and reintegrate into society.
9. Where does HMPasties sell its products?
HMPasties supplies pasties to several high-profile clients, including Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Stockport County FC, and The University of Manchester. They also sell their products at their stand outside Manchester City’s ground.
10. What makes HMPasties different from other bakeries?
HMPasties is unique in that it combines the passion for great food with a commitment to social impact. The business not only focuses on producing high-quality pasties but also provides ex-offenders with the opportunity to rebuild their lives by developing the skills and mindset needed to succeed in the workforce.
11. How can I support HMPasties or get involved?
You can support HMPasties by purchasing their pasties, visiting their stands, or spreading the word about their social mission. Additionally, donations and volunteering opportunities may be available through the HMPasties Foundation.
12. What is Lee Wakeham’s vision for the future?
Lee hopes to see HMPasties continue to grow, with plans for further expansion in the coming years. His goal is to provide even more job opportunities for ex-offenders, helping them build stable, crime-free lives while providing delicious pasties to customers across the UK.
