Leighanne* knew being released from prison would be a test, but she hadn’t anticipated the number of obstacles she’d face just on day one.

“I knew when I got released that it would all be a test of how strong I am,” she says. “But in those first few weeks, I really proved that to myself.

“Probation had assured me they’d find me somewhere to live, but then I was released homeless so I landed in Preston with nowhere to go.

“Probation sent me to the council; they sent me to a homeless hostel; and they sent me to another hostel. I stayed at that place for two days, then got moved to Liverpool for two weeks in another hostel, then back to the first hostel for another week, before I eventually got a call from a worker at some recovery housing.

“While I live there, I’m not able to do paid work so someone suggested volunteering at Recycling Lives café. I’d been a barista and worked in cafes before so thought it’d be a natural fit.”

“Now I do between 3 and 5 days every week. It’s helped me to come out of my shell since getting out of jail.

“There’s no judgement here – that goes a long way for me. Dom’s my key worker, and who I’ll go to first. Although really, I can speak to anybody.

“Stuart and Rick are helping me with finding future employment. Hayley is helping me with eventually getting my own place. There’s someone here for every part of what I need.

“I’d managed to get contact with my kids just before I got out of jail so I knew I didn’t want to mess it up.

“I get down to see my kids as much as I can, and video call them. Living with them again is my goal; if I really put everything into it … I know I’ve got all the support I need here for it.

“Recycling Lives has been very important for me. It’s not worth thinking about where I would’ve gone otherwise, knowing how easy it can be to slip back into your old ways.”

*Not her real name. To protect privacy, picture above shows some of the team from our community cafe and Training Kitchen.