Bruce says: “It’s just a nice environment innit. It’s a nice place, nice environment, nice food, nice people, nice little dog. Yeah.”

“I’m a brick-layer by trade, but I worked on the boats quite a lot. [Good work?] It is if you don’t like people. [Don’t like people?] Not particularly. Most of ‘em are very dishonest. I’m almost 60 and I’ve met many dishonest people in my life. [Met some good people?] Yeah, maybe on one hand, … More Bruce says: “It’s just a nice environment innit. It’s a nice place, nice environment, nice food, nice people, nice little dog. Yeah.”

Clarke says: “having somewhere you can come, not get judged … I think that’s just what everyone needs when you have been in that shitty situation…”

“I was on bail for like a year-and-a-half, so by the time it actually come to going to court, going through it all, it was just … the whole situation … I couldn’t explain what had happened, especially from me abusing the drugs and everything like years afterwards, how long it took to have an … More Clarke says: “having somewhere you can come, not get judged … I think that’s just what everyone needs when you have been in that shitty situation…”

Seb says: “I’m supposed to be giving back to my community but I feel like the community’s giving to me…”

“The reason why I’m here today is obviously an offence regarding my ex-wife and stuff and her family. I was going through like a bit of a mental breakdown, and I was like trying to see a doctor and by then the damage was done and the police were involved, and you know, I was … More Seb says: “I’m supposed to be giving back to my community but I feel like the community’s giving to me…”

Casper (2) says: “LandWorks… It’s a good choice really coz they understand my needs. They understand what I’ve been through…”

“I got in trouble in London. I got stitched up in London. I fell in with bad people mostly and although I didn’t say I did it, the police decided to arrest me and charge me, and then took me to court and then them not letting me back to the house, they said you … More Casper (2) says: “LandWorks… It’s a good choice really coz they understand my needs. They understand what I’ve been through…”

Sam says: “I’ve been on a journey… still on a journey of recovery now”

“I’ve been on a journey … still on a journey of recovery now. I was just … actually two weeks ago I finished my mental health order, which I had for six months. I got a certificate, which I haven’t had for years. My mental health’s a thousand times better than what it was. I … More Sam says: “I’ve been on a journey… still on a journey of recovery now”

John says: “…as much as they might be learning from you, you’re learning from people all the time, you’re receiving it back…”

This is a section from a transcript of a focus group carried out during the Inside Knowledge module run by the University of Plymouth at LandWorks in March 2024… Julie – What do you think are the key benefits of the enterprises at LandWorks? John – Oh, the list is so long … building self-worth, … More John says: “…as much as they might be learning from you, you’re learning from people all the time, you’re receiving it back…”

Joe says: “The things that I need and want out of life, I won’t get from this place. But it does give me a bit … it breaks up the monotony cycle of my life”

“I’m here because I lost me temper. I lost me temper and I didn’t think through my actions before doing what I did […] So yeah, would I do it again? No. It’s just not worth the hassle it’s caused, but you know, yeah, that’s what’s brought me to LandWorks. I got given a community … More Joe says: “The things that I need and want out of life, I won’t get from this place. But it does give me a bit … it breaks up the monotony cycle of my life”

Charlie, 8 years on: “basically you get what you give, that’s LandWorks, as it says on the sign, it’s acceptance, that’s exactly what it’s about…”

“I think it was probation that recommended me out here and the court went with it. I don’t know. Whether Chris saw something in me or because he and my dad had a landscape business. I don’t know. I didn’t hide anything when I spoke to him. I wasn’t going I can’t tell you that, … More Charlie, 8 years on: “basically you get what you give, that’s LandWorks, as it says on the sign, it’s acceptance, that’s exactly what it’s about…”

Dave says: “A lot of it is to do with trust…”

“I’m more confident, a lot more confident, yeah, yeah. I’m more confident standing up in front of everyone … my own opinions. I’ve never really liked speaking about my own opinions and things. I didn’t like the reaction of people, but now I kind of think … I’m free to say my own opinions aren’t … More Dave says: “A lot of it is to do with trust…”

Dave says: “It’s very social. It’s not anti-social. I like that. I’ve had too much anti-social in my life…”

“I’ve never been to a place like this before. I kind of ask [myself] will I fit in, settle in. I like everyone here, everyone’s as good as gold here. Everyone respects each other. As soon as you walk through that gate, you’re like a whole new person. It’s like just coming to work with … More Dave says: “It’s very social. It’s not anti-social. I like that. I’ve had too much anti-social in my life…”