Joseph Holt Brewery partners with H.M.Pasties to give ex-offenders fresh start

A Manchester brewery has partnered with a pasty shop to give ex-offenders a fresh start.

Joseph Holt brewery, a family business based in Manchester, has been brewing beer for six generations. And beyond brewing ale, it has committed to support ex-offenders through a range of programmes and schemes.

Its active support has seen the Manchester brewer help ex-offenders through apprenticeships, in-prison careers talks, and partnerships with organisations like ‘Only A Pavement Away’  which connects individuals in need with employment opportunities in prisons, veteran communities, and several homeless charities.

When Joseph Holt Brewery discovered H.M.Pasties — an award-winning food company in Bolton run by ex-offenders — a collaboration seemed like the perfect pairing.

The company has made it their mission to engage with prisons through employment days, offering advice and guidance to those interested in joining the hospitality industry.

They also run apprenticeship schemes and collaborate with charities to assist individuals in rebuilding their lives after prison.

Jane Kershaw, the director of Joseph Holt Brewery and member of the Holt family, said about the joint venture: “We were already aware of the high quality of pies and pasties produced by Lee and his team.

“But what truly resonated with us was the alignment of values. H.M.Pasties is an incredible social enterprise, and we are proud to support a business that shares our commitment to giving people a second chance.

“By partnering with them, we not only support the local community but also reduce food miles as they source local, quality ingredients. And seeing our legendary bitter used in a pie is fantastic!

“H.M.Pasties was a perfect fit for us in terms of our shared goals.”

Founder Lee Wakeham — who himself spent two stints in prison during his youth — expressed his delight at the success of their pies.

The steak pie, infused with carrots, onions, garlic, thyme, and tomato puree, has been reinvented with Joseph Holt bitter, adding depth and richness to the flavour. While the cheese pie, unlike many similar products, focuses on the cheese’s lusciousness rather than heavy potato content.

H.M.Pasties takes pride in sourcing homegrown ingredients from the prison estate, simultaneously providing employment opportunities for individuals with convictions. The company offers mentoring support, empowering their employees to build new careers and lead a crime-free life.

Lee Wakeham said: “Working with Joseph Holt was an obvious choice for us.

“We were drawn to their legendary beers and ales, but more importantly, we admired their strong ties to charitable causes and their commitment to helping ex-offenders rebuild their lives.

“With projects like apprenticeship schemes and prison collaborations, Joseph Holt shares our belief in uplifting those who have faced setbacks.”

After his release, Lee worked his way up from a factory worker to a sales manager. In 2011, he began working with offenders as a resettlement worker and an employment coach, eventually establishing H.M.Pasties in 2019.

Lee’s personal journey is an example of the transformative power of therapy, support and determination.