Chris Parsons’ Blog

In this week’s LandWorks blog, a comment from one of the trainees leaves Project Manager Chris Parsons reeling…

After a visit from his daughter Lilly, Chris Parsons writes to her with news of how everyone she met at LandWorks is getting on.

Two years ago, LandWorks had a derelict porta cabin, three serving prisoners, a man released on licence, a bit of overgrown wasteland, and a plan: to help these guys back into the community and employment.

A trip to see a soon-to-be LandWorks trainee affords Chris a rare glimpse of the euphoria and heartbreak of prison visiting hours.

A LandWorks trainee has developed a deep attachment to a stray dog. There are two problems: the trainee is homeless, and the dog looks oddly familiar…

LandWorks Project Manager Chris first met Luke in May 2013. He was 28 and had spent too many unproductive years in prison. He was one of the first to graduate from the scheme – and now, he’s coming back.

Chris tackles a difficult, often asked question: are LandWorks trainees as worthy of help as those who have not committed a crime but are nevertheless struggling?

LandWorks’ new fruit and veg stall has an honesty box, and the trainees are sceptical (hardened bunch that they are). Are their fears unfounded?

‘Election Fever’ is here, and you may have caught a few of the policy-speak words flying around, like ‘resettlement’, ‘reintegration’ and ‘rehabilitation’. Are words like this really useful?

A bittersweet evening at LandWorks, as a stunningly successful fundraiser is tempered by some heartbreaking news.

Two men on a train appear to have nothing in common. However, it soon transpires they share a mutual bond…

‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ continues to roll out, and so far it seems to be a case of ‘making omelettes and cracking eggs’…