A stitch in time – how Javed turned his life around . . .
MAN KNITS TOGETHER NEW CAREER AFTER DISCOVERING TALENT WHILE IN PRISON
JAVED ALI made a new life for himself after finding his passion behind bars.
The 25-year-old from Bolton started his own business after discovering a love for embroidery while doing time at HMP Deerbolt – a young offender institution in County Durham – for blackmail, he found himself working in the print shop making uniforms for inmates.
Upon his release, he got a graphic design qualification and, with help from the Prince’s Trust, set up his own business, Doodah Embroidery.
“I dropped out of college and made a lot of stupid mistakes, I only had myself to blame,” Javed said. “Getting caught was the best thing ever for me. I could have done something more catastrophic and ended up hurting somebody.”
The pandemic has been tough for Javed’s business. Small business enterprise fund cash has been the only thing keeping him afloat.
But still Javed counts himself lucky. He says he can’t imagine what it’s like for teenagers looking to get a foot on the career ladder these days.
“When I left prison four years ago, I applied to something like 40 jobs and I simply wasn’t given a chance, and this was me being completely honest about my past,” he said. “I can’t get my head around how hard it’s going to be for young people.
“Especially with what happened with the exam results fiasco, it’s going to be so difficult for young people.”
Javed was speaking at the Beehive Mill in Ancoats, home of the purposebuilt youth centre for Manchester’s division of the Prince’s Trust, which opened last year.
The group marked its anniversary in the city by announcing a fund for projects focusing on disadvantaged young people across Greater Manchester.
The Future Workforce Fund, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), has awarded almost £250,000 to various projects.
One of them is Bury-based charity Adab, which works with the BAME community. Tam Ahmed, chief officer, said: “We’re really proud to be chosen by the Prince’s Trust, to be able to bring this into the community will be a massive plus point.