Kiran has set up Unspent Convictions CIC, which trains young people who have been through the criminal justice system in campaigning skills
Kiran has set up Unspent Convictions CIC, which trains young people who have been through the criminal justice system in campaigning skills, and supports them to carry out campaigns around the things they think need changing. Kiran’s professional background previously was in campaigning and campaign skills training at Shelter and People and Planet, and running a mentoring scheme at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institute.
Since starting the SSE course Kiran has set up the organisation as a Community Interest Company, obtained funding from UnLtd, and recruited a team of volunteers to help deliver the training. In consultation with various agencies and experts, she has developed a training programme which helps the young people identify the issues they feel strongly about, and teaches them the skills necessary to start trying to bring about change. The course is highly interactive and tailored to meet the needs of participants who may have learning disabilities, low literacy levels and short attention spans.
In the process of learning campaigning skills, the young people will learn a range of transferable skills such as group work, communication, project planning and management, enhanced literacy and numeracy, advocacy, and much more. Kiran is currently in the process of getting the course accredited through the Open College Network, and in developing networks in the fields of campaigning, marketing and PR for appropriate internships/work experience for those completing the course.
The organisation has recently started its first full-length pilot programme and hopes to be able to use the outcomes from this to obtain contracts from Youth Offending Teams, and further funding to ensure the expansion and stability of the project.
Programme attended/attending? 2008-9 London (block)
