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Report about the evaluation here
Helpline evaluation
Read about an independent analysis and evaluation that we carried out on our helpline.Latest helpline news
VIEW ALL -- 06/01/2020in Case work, Helpline, News & Media, News on Unlock's work for individuals, Support case studies
Some examples of people we’ve helped
Looking back over the last couple of months, we’ve written up a few examples of the people we’ve helped. We hope they give a good idea of how we help people. However, more importantly than our role, we think that these examples show how people with convictions are able to overcome some of the barriers... Unlock volunteer shortlisted for helpline volunteer of the year award
We’re delighted that one of Unlock’s long-standing helpline volunteers, Simon, was shortlisted for the Helpline Partnership’s ‘Helpline Volunteer of the Year’ award. On hearing the news, Simon said: “I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for the Helpline Partnership ‘Volunteer of the year’ award. As much as this is recognition that the work ...
People we've helped
VIEW ALL -- 06/01/2020in Case studies - Helpline
Case study – Harold – “I successfully challenged a councils’s taxi licensing decision in court and got my taxi licence”
Harold recently contacted our helpline for some advice after his local council refused him a taxi licence due to the non-disclosure of his historic convictions. He explained that as his convictions were from 30 years ago, he’d assumed that they were spent and therefore didn’t need to be disclosed. Immediately he became aware that his... - 06/01/2020in Case studies - Helpline
Case study – Sheila – Travelling to the USA on an ESTA despite having a criminal record
Sheila contacted our helpline for some advice after she’d booked a family holiday to America. Sheila explained that after completing the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) form which had been approved, she started to worry that she should have disclosed her husband’s criminal record from 2011. Stories she’d read onl...
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What people have said about our helpline
Your helpline is doing a truly wonderful job in helping people like me who have made a mistake, paid the price, but do not want to be penalised for the rest of their lives
Person with convictions // Client of our helpline
When I first got in touch with you I was very low, but you gave me the emotional support and encouragement I needed. I had felt very isolated but knowing that someone else was there who knew what I was going through kept me going. I don’t know if I’d be here today if it wasn’t for Unlock.
Person with convictions // Client of our helpline
I am tired of running away from my past. Unlock has been a critical first step in this process. You have provided me with clear, unambiguous guidance. As far as I am aware you are the only body/charity/website that offers the type of detail that is necessary for me to go forward.
Person with convictions // Client of our helpline