News

On a rare hot day in April, new trainee Luke arrived at LandWorks following his very first stint in prison at twenty years old. Four months into his placement, Sarah asked Luke about his experiences so far.

18 months ago, Sarah Hodge started a voluntary placement at LandWorks, as part of her degree in Fine Art at Plymouth University. Now Artist in Residence at LandWorks, Sarah writes about the important role art has to play at the project.

The ground-breaking prisoner resettlement scheme LandWorks thanked its ‘incredible’ team of 700-plus supporters with a BBQ on 18 September 2015 for contributing to a unique community partnership, which has just been shortlisted in a national awards scheme.

LandWorks began in July 2013, with an overgrown quarry site and a huge amount of hope. New volunteer Gill looks back and summarises the first two years.

Two years after LandWorks opened its doors, we asked past and present trainees how LandWorks has changed their lives. This is what they said.

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?