April 2025

A Recycling Lives’ resident who was a “model” trainee has progressed into full-time work with a new employer partner.

Fleet Factors is the latest business to partner with our rehabilitation programmes, offering training and work to one of our participants.

The parts and PPE wholesaler has welcomed M to its team in Preston. He is now working as a driver and warehouse operative and living in his own flat, having successfully completed our residential programme.

The partnership with Fleet Factors started with a donation to our food redistribution programme and quickly grew, as the business’s team were keen to learn more about our work and how they could further support our impact.

Neil Flanagan, Head of Partnerships for the Charity, said: “I’d met James from Fleet Factors by chance, and when we chatted about what we each do we realised we could work together. He was really interested in creating some social value.”

Fleet Factors first made a valuable donation of five pallet loads of fruit to our food redistribution programme, and visited the warehouse to learn more about how the goods would be distributed to charitable groups across the two counties.

Its team later visited one of our workshops engaging ex-offenders in recycling work to support their rehabilitation, and main facility in Preston, to tour the residential facility. Fleet Factors then made a second donation, this time to the residential programme, of personal hygiene products.

James McCulloch, Sales Director at Fleet Factors, said: “Our visits allowed us to better understand the processes and philosophies of Recycling Lives Charity and determine how we could become more involved in supporting their work.
“As our relationship developed, we were able to offer a work placement to one of the residents, M, on a voluntary basis at our Preston depot. While the initial aim was to provide M with some current work experience and routine, he soon became a valued member of the team, demonstrating reliability and positive interactions with other employees.
“When a full-time, employed role became available at the depot we were pleased to be able to offer this role to M, who had already proved how conscientious and hardworking he was.”

Neil (pictured above, right, with another former resident) added: “Fleet Factors have treated M like any other member of the team from the start – although he was unpaid on his work placement, they gave him a Christmas bonus, for example, to acknowledge his efforts.
“M has been a good role model for what the residential programme can do – he started out in the warehouse, learning the ropes of the business, and at the same time he knuckled down and passed his driving test, to progress towards his full-time role as a driver.
“We’re really pleased for M, and glad to have developed a positive new partnership with Fleet Factors. We’re looking forward to making the most of future opportunities together.”

Our residential programme is a 10-bed purpose-built facility in central Preston. The accommodation offers en-suite bedrooms and shared living spaces for men who have been released from prison, recently left a rehab programme, or who have been, or were at risk of becoming, homeless. The programme offers a structured, supported programme for men to develop skills, confidence and new connections, and ultimately regain their independence. Throughout stays of between 6-12 months, residents are supported to overcome personal challenges related to their health, mental health, finances, family matters and more. All are then supported to undertake voluntary and training placements, with a view to eventually moving into sustainable, meaningful full-time employment and a home of their own.

Fleet Factors is one of the largest independent wholesalers for vehicle parts, refinish products, and PPE in the UK. It operates 26 depots, including its facility in Preston, along with 300+ managed stores sites for a wide variety of clients including local authorities and blue-chip companies.

To support our work or explore employment opportunities like this one, read about our partnership and sponsorship opportunities.