The Next Step: Building Your Future
Surviving the first 72 hours is just the beginning. Launchpad 72 is built to help you look past the prison gates and map out a clean, independent life as a working member of the Hull community. With the right roadmap and zero excuses, your past can become a career.
Step 1: Securing Your Money (Universal Credit)
You cannot build a career if you are starving. When you leave HMP Hull, your statutory discharge grant of £76 must bridge a 5-week wait for your first Universal Credit payment. Setting this up on Day One is mandatory.
Option A: Online Claim
If you have access to data or Wi-Fi on your phone, go directly to gov.uk/universal-credit to set up your digital portal. This is where you will track your job searches and message your coach.
Option B: Phone Claim
If you do not have internet connectivity yet, call the Universal Credit Helpline free on 0800 328 5644. State clearly that you are a newly released prisoner starting from scratch.
How to Request an Immediate Advance
Do not pull a stunt or slide backward because you have no food money during that 5-week gap. The moment your initial Universal Credit claim is logged, you can apply for a Universal Credit Advance Payment.
The Operational Rule: You can request up to 100% of your estimated first monthly entitlement upfront to bridge the survival gap.
How to Claim It: Request an “Immediate Advance Loan” during your very first face-to-face identity interview at the Jobcentre, apply inside your online portal, or request it over the phone helpline.
Crucial Warning: This is a 100% interest-free loan, NOT a free grant. The DWP will automatically deduct small amounts from your future monthly checks to pay it back. Budget tightly from day one.
Step 2: Unlocking the Jobcentre’s Secrets (Free Gear)
Most lads look at the Jobcentre as a place designed to sanction them. That is a mistake. If you know the rules and talk to your assigned Work Coach with respect and a clear plan, they have discretionary tools designed to back you up. Specifically, ask them about the Flexible Support Fund (FSF).
Free Laptops & Study Tools
If you are applying for an online education course, learning a trade layout, or need to complete heavy job searches from home, tell your coach. Through the Flexible Support Fund, they can completely fund a brand-new laptop or tablet so you have digital access.
Free Pushbikes for Employment
Secured a local job or an apprenticeship in Hull but have no transport to get to your early or late shifts? Tell your Work Coach immediately. The FSF can purchase a brand-new commuter pushbike, heavy-duty security lock, and essential safety equipment to secure your commute.
Fully Funded Trade Licences
Want to get onto Hull’s building sites, into commercial warehouses, or onto security teams? Ask your coach to refer you to local training tracks. They can completely pay for your CSCS construction card, SIA security badge, or Forklift Truck (FLT) certification.
Step 3: Creating Your Success Story
Every single sector in the UK—from construction and logistics to manufacturing right here in East Yorkshire—is looking for reliable, focused people who are willing to work hard. Having an offense on your record means you have to work smarter, but it does not stop you from building a high-paying career.
“I did three stretches in HMP Hull. I walked out of those gates with a plastic bag, an addiction, and zero hope. Today, I am a founder running an organization alongside Adapt directors to back you up. If I can turn my life into a success story, you can do it too. Let’s get to work.”
Need help filling out your online UC journal? Want a warm introduction to local business owners who actively hire ex-offenders in Hull? Drop our team a message right now.
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