A talented songwriter, rapper and author Mark Andrew Dowling never forgot his Stockport roots. So much has happened to him over the years, but the determination to never give up is what makes Mark a rapper to follow and support.
Mark had a son who was placed in the UK care system, something he covers in his rap songs on his YouTube channel. In fact, Mark, aka D-BO UK, has been in and out of prison and hasn’t been shy about rapping about the experiences he’s been through. Once being arrested for a crime he didn’t commit! and many unfair things that happen to him make this Stockport-born artist someone to be reckoned with. It’s about reforming, getting off the streets, and getting out of the life of crime that many ex-inmates are forced into.
You have mental health issues that many are shy to talk about with others. Brand is not! Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of a stabbing, adult autism, and many other issues have presented themselves to Mark. Many men in the UK prison system are there as a result of system failures, men with mental health problems are simply not getting the help they need.
This time he has not taken out his violin. In fact, he currently lives in a hostel, Mark is working from there selling his book! He is determined not to give up on life and make the best of a bad situation. He is also looking into charities to give back to the local community and has been doing a lot of outreach to try to get help for the men he lives with at the shelter. It would be appreciated if anyone reading this could contact Marks Manager Clare, who can be followed on Instagram @queenfreelance, if they would be willing to donate used items to the men staying at her hostel, or any other hostel for the case.
Many inmates who have been released into hostels have had no contact with their families for months as they have been hit by covid19 with no prison visits. Many inmates lose their families due to poor decisions in life and the hope of reform slowly slips into a vicious circle. D-BO UK wants to prevent this from happening. With a bag of permitted items from jail release, men released from jail end up in shelters in areas far removed from their friends and family with restrictions and curfews. A new life as a reformed member of UK society is that much harder to come by at times like this. A small act of kindness can have a big impact. A simple bottle of water or a bag of chips for these men is a kind gesture that gives hope in dark times. Curfews in hostels do not give access to the kitchen after 21:00. Toilets and showers are shared, and many men don’t feel like shopping for toiletries in areas they barely know.
If you’d like to show a sign of support and help Mark and men like D-BO UK regain faith in society, send a direct message to your manager to coordinate the purchase of a copy of the book which retails for just £12.99 including UK postage and packaging. Payments are fully secured with PayPal. There’s also a giveaway on her Instagram feed for a chance to win a copy of the book. He has also given back to the people who support his work and anyone who buys a book from him can picture themselves with him when they receive it, and be featured on his Instagram account, with a tag linking to his profile!