Hello,
There is a real feeling of change around, not least through world events and the knock-on effects they have for all of us.
So many of our young people are struggling. Anxiety and poor mental health have become increasingly common and, since the pandemic, things seem to have steadily and significantly worsened. This is reflected in national statistics, and we are seeing what feels like a deepening crisis. For many of the young people we work with, they are often not well equipped to deal with these challenges in the first place.
Getting people here for their first few days is critical. If we can get them engaged, then we’re often off to a good start, and suddenly public transport doesn’t seem quite so daunting. We are trialling “bus buddies” to help with those early days. Already, some of our more seasoned LandWorks travellers are meeting new participants and jumping on the bus together.
Then the LandWorks community begins to do its work, people feel accepted, safe, and supported, and things start to fall into place.
Amidst the seemingly ever-present swirl of negative news, we are reminded of the many stories of hope from our graduates. Each of them are changing lives, and now, their impact is growing exponentially.
One man has moved into the role of Support, Time and Recovery Worker with the NHS Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion Service in Devon.
Another graduate, working with NHS Reconnect, has been presented with a Silver Award for outstanding work.
Someone else is now on the path to becoming a Probation Peer Worker.
A young woman who first came to us as she was entering recovery is now a Peer Worker with NHS Shrublands (drug and alcohol recovery). She continues to do a great deal to support our work, which is just brilliant.
Just last week another graduate called to say that he has taken on a council allotment and, using LandWorks principles, has set up a workgroup for others in recovery.
All such great news.
And so, the community grows, with people now directly supporting LandWorks and helping make it even more impactful. Coming from a strong sense of wanting to support others and a desire to give back.
Amidst all this change, I can’t help but wonder what could emerge next. Is it possible that LandWorks could evolve to a more formal model of collaborative involvement, where everyone contributes, informs decisions and shapes the future together?
After all, to paraphrase Gandhi, we should try to be the change we want to see in the world…
Chris
26th March 2026