New Charity Manager at Recycling Lives!

Recycling Lives has officially assigned its former Community Manager, Mark Channing as its new Charity Manager.

Mark Channing is the new Charity Manager at Recycling Lives, having been heavily involved with the charity for the last year

Mark has a wealth of experience in supporting disadvantaged young people. He has worked for a number of good causes in the care sector during the last 15 years, including the Bury Youth Offending Service, several NHS projects, Lifeline, and the Anster Young Peoples Project in which he set up three rehabilitation centres for individuals with substance misuse issues. In September 2010, Mark joined Recycling Lives and over the past year has had a big impact on the charity.

The Recycling Lives charity offers accommodation, training and education to vulnerable members of society, including homeless and long-term unemployed individuals. Each individual, known as a Recycling Lives ‘Resident’, is equipped with the skills and confidence needed to return to independent living. Just last week, Recycling Lives Resident Mark ‘Sparky’ Robinson was the latest person to successfully make a fresh start in his life, gaining full-time employment at Recycling Lives and securing his own flat in Preston.

Before taking on his current managerial role, Mark worked with Recycling Lives as a support officer for the Community Gateway Association, a Preston-based housing association that strives to improve community neighbourhoods and help individuals find suitable housing. Mark conducted one-to-one support sessions with our Residents, addressing their overall well-being and assisting them to further their education through the local college. And, working with the Residents, he produced a development plan and ensured they could return to independent living in their chosen communities.

Mark 'Sparky' Robinson is the latest Resident that the Recycling Lives charity has helped return to independent living

With Mark on board, the charity has continued to grow and make a huge difference to a number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. And, following this success, Mark became the charity’s Community Manager in April of this year. This role saw him working closely with the rest of the team in providing a comfortable environment for all the residents and supporting them as they made their journey back to full-time employment.

Now, as Charity Manager, Mark is responsible for the overall day-to-day running of the Recycling Lives Charity – from the moment an individual first enters our doors to the moment they return to independent living. He interviews potential Residents, creates support plans for them and makes sure, most importantly, they enjoy the time they spend with Recycling Lives. Currently, he is working with ten Residents at the Recycling Lives Centre in Preston.

Mark succeeds Rebecca Wilson, who managed the charity following its inception in January 2009 and is now focusing on a more commercial position.

Commenting on the role, Mark said:

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the Recycling Lives Charity over the past year and I’m very excited about assisting the team in taking it to the next level. The charity has been moving from strength to strength and has, so far, successfully helped 20 individuals return to independent living and full-time employment. The door is left open to all Residents that leave Recycling Lives so we can provide them with any support they may require – this can include assistance with any accommodation issues and relevant signposting to appropriate services within Preston.

“I would also like to say a big thank you to Rebecca Wilson, who has done a fantastic job managing the charity over the past few years. I wish her every success in her new role.”