The Well Communities to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

The Well Communities, a charity that operates in Barrow, Carlisle and Lancashire, have been able to get an audience at number 10 through connections of funder Omaze, who helped purchase a £20,000 minibus for the charity.

The organisation, founded in 2012, was created and developed by ex-offender, David Higham. 

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"It's to champion the work we do and the impact we have on our communities.

"And to get an opportunity to go to 10 Downing Street is amazing, it just highlights the important work we do with lived-experience recovery organisation and the very impact that these organisations have in the community," he said. 

David said the minibus will play a vital role in the charity, helping those with their recovery journey. 

"We have 70 beds across the organisation. The minibus will enable us to transport 30/40 people from one place to the next. It's vital, especially when you look at Cumbria. 

Russell Brand, drops by Carlisle's Well Centre. (Image: Well Communities)

"Recovery is about making positive social connections, the minibus will allow us to create a network for those in recovery," he said. 

For David, through his own lived experience, he says the prison system acts as almost a 'university of crime'. 

"When I went to prison, I learned how to commit crime, went in a shoplifter came out a burglar.

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"Even in our prison systems, we have to create safer environments. We need to create an environment to rehabilitate people. 

Well Communities minibus helped purchased with funder Omaze (Image: Well Communities)

"It might be an opportunity to raise those points, but we have to be neutral, we're an organisation trying to help people. 

"We can't take sides when it comes to Labour and Conservative. 

"We don't bring our political views into things, we need the resources and help to save lives. 

"If we get an opportunity to talk about adverse childhood experiences and the impact this has on addiction and criminal justice system, I'll certainly be talking about those things," he said. 

Looking back, David said if he were to tell himself 20 years ago he would be visiting the Prime Minister, he would say 'stop dreaming'. 

"I'd say get back to your prison cell because people like me don't get to places like that. But I'm here to tell people that anything is possible with the right support you can become the best version of yourself," he said. 

David and members of his team will meet the Prime Minister on April 24.