Annual report
Each year we publish our annual report and accounts – which you can read in full on the Charity Commission’s website. After another busy year, we’re in an exciting phase as we develop our policy and advocacy work further. We’re grateful to all the funders, individual donors and volunteers who support our work.
Our support in numbers: 2025/26
- 10,394 people supported through our helpline
- 41,154 uses of our disclosure calculator
- 981,622 visits to our online information
The difference we make
Feedback from the people we support shows that our work has a lasting impact. People tell us they feel more confident, informed and equipped to overcome the challenges that can arise from having a criminal record.
Our support helps people improve their chances of successful resettlement, reduce the social exclusion they often experience, and build the confidence to achieve their goals and potential. By providing practical guidance, trusted information, and ongoing support, we help people navigate the complex and ever-changing barriers that can otherwise derail even the strongest intentions to move forward.
The result is that more people are able to secure opportunities, rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and create positive futures for themselves and their families. In doing so, our work also helps to reduce the risk of reoffending and supports lasting, positive change.
Ultimately, we help people move on positively with their lives and realise their full potential.
I just wanted to send my heartfelt thank you for making me feel better after our conversation regarding my daughter.
I keep telling people how wonderful your charity is, and how I just stumbled across you using ChatGBT – the best thing that has happened and I feel very lucky.
Your advice was perfect and helped a distressed mum. Moving forward I’m going to take the advice you gave and ask for the information on the police system.
Case Studies and success stories
Take a look at some key successes we’ve had over the years of fighting against prejudice, stigma and discrimination through our policy and campaigning work.
View all case studies- Asher – Unlock helped me to get links to online information about my conviction removed
- The Helpline Bernie – The help I received from Unlock enabled me to work again
- Charlie – being able to open a bank account helped me to feel like any other citizen
- Support for individuals Dan – theInformationHub site made me realise how little I knew about criminal records
- Donald – Getting support from Unlock to challenge an ineligible DBS check allowed me to keep my job with the NHS
- The Helpline Felix – I’m now working in my dream job thanks to the information and support I was given by Unlock
- Helping an insurance broker update their guidance for people with convictions
- Jamie – You can be forgotten – Success when applying to Google
- Maryam – I successfully challenged the police over the disclosure of my filtered caution
Ear to the ground, voice at the top
As well as supporting individuals to move on positively in their lives, use what we learn from our frontline support to feed directly through to our policy work at the highest level. Over the years we’ve successfully secured changes to the criminal records system that will benefit thousands of people each year.
Awards
We’re delighted that our work and achievements have been recognised in the form of awards. These include:
2011 – Winner of the Guardian Charity Awards
2014 – Winner of the ‘Best Innovative Use of Technology’ award – Helpline Awards
2015 – Julie Harmsworth winner of the ‘Social Justice Campaigner’ award – SMK Campaigner Awards
2016 – Christopher Stacey winner of the High Sheriff of Kent Award
2016 – Christopher Stacey highly commended as best senior leader in Social CEOs awards
2016 – Winner of The Longford Prize
2020 – Unlock wins ‘outstanding national organisation’ at Criminal Justice Alliance Awards
