Danielle joined our recycling workshop in HMP Styal and says it was a turning point for her. She’s now working full-time for one of our employer partners, Global Ardour Ltd, and building a brighter life for her partner and their children.

“Recycling Lives have made me see that people can and will help.

“Yvonne, Harriet, Hayley, and Faye, they’ve done everything for me. They give you the stepping stones you need for whatever path you want to take.

“For a while in prison, I was quite poorly so I didn’t join Recycling Lives’ workshop straight away. I didn’t get any help until I got to them – Yvonne helped me to get six sessions of therapy which turned out to be the best thing I’ve ever done. It gave me coping strategies, so I’ve learned how to deal with things.

“Before that, I hadn’t dealt with grief, I had PTSD, and I’d had psychosis. I’d turned to drugs, got myself into some debt, and did something to clear the debt – and me and my partner were both sent to prison.

“Recycling Lives help you to make a change. Most of the other jobs in prison, get you nowhere and there’s no support afterwards.

“Harriet picked me up at the gate, got me food, a phone and a TV. And the phone, RL topped it up for six weeks. Little things like that are a God send. Then two days later, they got me a job interview.

“When I was in the workshop in prison, I broke every record for getting through the hubs. So they asked if I’d want to work for a recycling business when I got out. Now I’m at Global Ardour in Preston.

“They’re brilliant here. They’ve been flexible with me for probation appointments, letting me leave early, or understanding if I’ve had a tough day. But I’ll also do extra days and cover people’s breaks – they know they’ll get it back from me.

“I’m just progressing. I joined with my Fork Lift Truck ticket, that I got in the workshop in prison. Now I’m getting other tickets for bigger plant. They’ve trained me up on the frag too – a £40m machine, and they’re trusting me on it!”