'Young people excited for their future invest in their present'

Charlie Atkinson says the training programme can give young people another chance

"We always say, if young people have a reason to be excited about their future, they'll choose to invest in their present," says Charlie Atkinson.

She is the training programme manager at an east London bakery and cafe, called The Dusty Knuckle.

Located in London's Dalston and Harringay neighbourhoods, it runs a youth programme for 18 to 25 year olds yet to find their legitimate career path, and supports them through training and mentoring.

The community interest company has won a King's Award for Enterprise, in the Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility category.

The Dusty Knuckle Bakery's chief executive Max Tobias says the recognition "resonates deeply with us and makes us ever more determined to assist those young people that society leaves behind".

Ex-prisoner Cyril Williams says he is now able to move "forward towards the future"

Among those who have been supported is Cyril Williams.

He is one of more than 250 young people who trained in the youth programme at The Dusty Knuckle - and now he is a barista at the Dalston branch.

"I'm an ex-prisoner, we all come from all different types of background. I am now able to pay for my own property, I live in my own house," he says.

"It's things like that that can move you forward towards the future."

According to The Dusty Knuckle, 69% of its trainees have had a custodial sentence.

Following a 12-week programme, 60% of its graduates went on to find employment or further education.

Sina says The Dusty Knuckle helped with his transition away from crime

Sina has also graduated from the youth programme.

He is now a head chef at Manna.

"When coming out of jail, my mind was puzzled with what I was going to do," he says.

"I had no life experience, except crime. On my second day of release, I came into The Dusty Knuckle.

"Going through that change in life really allowed me to grow."

The bakery accepts referrals from prisons, charities, families, and mental health services.

Its programme focuses on teaching young people valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, and responsibility.

"When you shine on the best bits of young people, they can do unimaginable things," says Ms Atkinson.

The Dusty Knuckle's training can turn young people into bakers and baristas

The King's Awards for Enterprise celebrates outstanding achievements by UK businesses.

Other categories include innovation, international trade and sustainable development.

This year, 197 businesses representing a diverse range of sectors were recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country.

Of these, a total of 33 awards went to businesses in Greater London.

Nineteen were recognised in the international trade category, nine for innovation, three for sustainable development and two for promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Mr Tobias says: "This award is testament to the consistent hard work and determination of the staff and trainees at The Dusty Knuckle Bakery since 2014. We are grafters.

"We believe that an exceptional standard is worth making the effort for and is achievable by everyone and anyone.

"In fact, the diversity of humans behind the food here is what makes Dusty Knuckle such a special place."