“Recycling Lives help you to help yourself. I spent three years with them in prison, in the workshop and then on a ROTL placement. They helped me with parole too – it showed them I had good structure and support in place so it wouldn’t be a risk to release me. The money’s good too.
“Everyone wants to save up for release but the wages are so poor, you can’t. Recycling Lives helps with that, putting that £20 a week in the savings scheme. I got out with £1,000 in my pocket. It was that extra bit to get me started. Without that help, I’d have had £70 and not much else. My time in prison would’ve gone a lot slower too, I think.
“After I was released they helped me with finding accommodation and the deposit for that, then with job searches and getting employment, and with my mental health too. They’re always there to back you up. It was massive for me to have their support.
“Now everything’s rosy in life. Everything’s going smooth. I’ve got a place to live that feels like home, I’m on a contract for my job, after starting out as agency, and I’m in contact with my kids and grandkids. Rick and Faye have stayed in touch too and if I need them, I know I can ring them.”