A Greater Manchester social business has landed its first supermarket contract, with HMPasties launching into almost 80 Co-op stores across the Manchester city region.
HMPasties was created to break the cycle of reoffending by providing jobs and training to people leaving prison. Since its beginnings, the bakery has grown a loyal following for its handmade pies and pasties, delivering both great food and lasting social impact.
Customers will now be able to enjoy HMPasties from Co-op stores, including the Steak Pie and the classic Cheese & Onion Pie, with every purchase directly supporting employment, skills and mentoring for prison leavers in the region.
The organisation was founded by Lee Wakeham (left), who himself served time in prison before turning his life around. Drawing on his own experiences of the barriers people face when leaving custody, Lee launched HMPasties with a clear mission - to give others the second chance he was fortunate enough to find.
HMPasties worked with Co-op’s Apiary Programme, which operates Accelerator and Incubator schemes to support smaller, values-driven businesses with growing to their next stage of development and promote further inclusivity and diversity within the supply chain.
Wakeham said: “This is a landmark moment for HMPasties. As someone who has been to prison, I know how tough it is to get a second chance. Finding meaningful work is often the biggest hurdle, and without it many fall back into the cycle of crime. Working with Co-op means more people can enjoy our products while helping us create life-changing opportunities for those ready to turn their lives around.”
Kelly Orme, Co-op’s community buying lead, said: “We’re delighted to work with HMPasties - not only are the pies and pasties delicious, they support life changing work, helping to make a difference and support rehabilitation by funding mentoring, skills development and guidance to those determined to make positive changes to their lives.”
Through the HMPasties Foundation, the bakery provides tailored support and training to prison leavers, helping them rebuild confidence and move into long-term employment. Research shows that finding a job significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending, and HMPasties is helping to prove that social enterprise can be a powerful tool for rehabilitation.
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