Hello,
Back then when we started. In fact, before we had even got going. Our partners to be, HM Prison Service, the Probation Service and the Ministry of Justice, thought our ambition to remain in contact with those who progressed through our scheme a little ambitious!
We were politely told that post Criminal Justice System (CJS) intervention… Well simply, nobody would remain in contact.
In fact, in some of the inaugural ‘partner’ meetings they were not so polite. There was sniggering and laughter at the plan, or worse, one senior manager just ignored me, instead concentrating on filling his rather expensive looking fountain pen.
Anyway, in what turned out to be the typical LandWorks response, we just got on with it, and proved them wrong. Over 200 graduates wrong.
Last week…
- Jamie called past to deliver a few tonnes of wood chip, a donation he had secured from his employer.
- Darryl called in (he’s with NHS Reconnect) with a new referral.
- Gary arrived with an array of new pots for our stall.
- Baz is back to join us for a week or two, cos life is not so good.
- Ben announces he is getting married.
- Dan came for a celebratory lunch, ten years and his order is done.
- Oliver three years clean.
- Jake would like to donate a day’s holiday to help us.
- Steve is on his way to a job.
- Chris is getting his kids back into his life.
- Graham (woodwork), Sam (market garden) and Mikey (cook). The LandWorks backbone.
- Plus many other phone calls, texts and WhatsApp’s.
This long-term engagement is unusual.
It is also providing a unique view into what happens to people after the CJS is finished with them.
But above all else it is just really good, it’s really wholesome and it makes everything seem better.
Chris
29th February 2024