Testimonials

• 

• Tracey Whittle – ESF NOMS Achieve North West case manager

  "I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at the National Training Award Ceremony.  The venue was excellent and the food was outstanding.  We were given plenty of time to network, which is particularly useful at these types of events.
  
  I am always astounded by the level of enthusiasm from all staff at Recycling Lives and find there continues to be something innovative happening within this ever-expanding company.
  
  For Recycling Lives to be nominated for the National Training Award was excellent, but then to go on and win it was exceptional. The quote that stayed in my mind from the ceremony was made by National Training Award Judge, Nirmal Singh, who said:
  
  'When the Recycling Lives application arrived on my desk I thought the organisation was too good to be true - until I visited Recycling Lives and found that there were real jobs, real training, real enthusiastic staff and real people getting the opportunities to progress towards a new path in life.'
  
  I congratulate Recycling Lives for their dedication, insight, enthusiasm and passion to create a safe environment for individuals to develop new pathways in life skills, training and employment which has undoubtedly changed people’s lives."

• 

• Adam Morgan – director at MorganAnderson

  "It was an honour to celebrate with Recycling Lives at their National Training Award ceremony on 28th September, 2011. Having won a National Training Award the previous year, I understand just how much hard work and effort has gone into creating such a valuable development project that is dramatically changing the lives of many individuals. As Recycling Lives continues to prosper through the economic downturn, I’d like to personally congratulate the entire team for their hard work, drive and sustained passion for their people. A massive well done."

• 

• Malcolm Clarke – managing director of Malcolm Clarke Associates

  "I have been involved in education, training and skills development for the last 35 years and feel that Recycling Lives is unique in the industry. Not only do they provide a safe and comfortable living experience for disadvantaged individuals, but they also offer high level, accredited training and employment for a substantial number of people."

• 

• Neville Johnson – Venture Counsellors and Investors Ltd

  "My friend Gerald Summers and I, on the suggestion of Julia Worthington, who was the former Head of Fundraising for The Princes Trust, visited Recycling Lives and met with Steven Jackson. For over one and a half hours, we sat there with our mouths open as Steve explained to us where he had come from, where he was at and where he hoped Recycling Lives was aiming for.  As previously mentioned, we were speechless for the majority of the time we were there and in fact, even driving home from Preston to Manchester, Gerald and I couldn’t quite grasp the enormity of what we had seen. All I can say is that visiting Recycling Lives was an eye opener and something that will be with us for the rest of our lives. An absolutely fantastic, innovative project.  Steven is to be admired and complimented."

• 

• Lord Henley – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  "If we are to move to a zero waste economy where old things are put to new uses, everyone needs to play their part.  Recycling Lives is an inspiring example of just that – where the Big Society, community leadership and local action is not only improving people’s lives, but recycling and reusing items that would otherwise be wasted."

• 

• Mike Walters – The John Lewis Partnership

  "The fantastic social and environmental benefits delivered by Recycling Lives were very clearly on display, and the high operational standards throughout their recycling processes is really impressive. Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to gain such a thorough insight into your work."

• 

• Tony Dougan – ISG

  "We couldn’t be happier with the service Recycling Lives has provided and have been actively spreading the word about Recycling Lives with all our subcontractors. The work the Residents have been doing for BAE Systems has been as good as you get anywhere, and we’ve been frequently astounded by the level of quality they bring to the team. As a result, we’ve extended their placements and plan to offer more in the future."

• 

• Julia Worthington – Director at Amber Consulting and former Head of Fundraising for The Prince’s Trust in the North West

  "Recycling Lives is an innovative and inspirational social enterprise. To develop a place that can give people back their dignity and help them to build their self esteem and skills whilst working either on site or with one of Recycling Lives' corporate partners is a totally unique concept. I was so inspired by visiting their Preston site that I have been virtually evangelical about it!"

• 

• Karl Ward – ORS UK

  (Speaking to CEO and founder, Steve Jackson) "I would like to say how impressed I am with your enthusiasm for your job and also what you do as a person and as a company for those people who perhaps need a ‘hand up’ in life and are less fortunate than ourselves for whatever reason. It is very commendable and you and Recycling Lives in general need applauding for what you do."

• 

• Kevin Wall – Managing Director, Co- Head European Investment Banking, Barclays Capital

  "I visited the Recycling Lives site as part of a team from Barclays that was engaging in banking discussions with Steve Jackson and colleagues. In addition to my client relationship role I am also chairman of the charities committee for the corporate and investment banking businesses in the Barclays group.  As such I have had some exposure to community initiatives in the 'social entrepreneurship' area. I was absolutely bowled over by the Recycling Lives philosophy, business and social model and the  facilities as well as the vision and energy of Steve and his colleagues. The blending of "commercial solutions" with "community issues" is not unique but pulling off partnering the two is always a challenge and I was hugely impressed with the way in which Recycling Lives has tackled this and delivered.I was also impressed with Steve's articulation of the BulkyWaste.org business model which brings together technology with an existing national charity infrastructure to provide waste collection services to households. I came away from my visit to Recycling Lives with great admiration for the business model and the benefits that flow to the community and individuals.  The CSR attraction is an obvious one."