Category: rehabilitation

George (2) says: “…while I’m coming here I can reflect on myself and do what I’ve gotta do just to keep myself safe, and it is a safe place to come.”

August 20, 2026

“I can’t remember when I first came here or what I was doing. Well, I wasn’t playing by the rules at the beginning. I was still using heavily and saying I weren’t. I weren’t really being honest at first and I think Chris knew that. He knew I was … obviously he knew I was … More George (2) says: “…while I’m coming here I can reflect on myself and do what I’ve gotta do just to keep myself safe, and it is a safe place to come.”

Jarvis says: “…when it’s a two-way thing you connect, yeah. That’s it, it’s the connection, it’s to realise for these people that they’re not outcasts …”

July 23, 2026

This is an extract from an interview with a LandWorks graduate. Jarvis had a Release on Temporary Licence placement at LandWorks in 2016 – https://penprojectlandworks.org/?s=jarvis “So I’m Jarvis, I’m employed by the NHS Reconnect and I’m what they call a ‘peer support worker’. I’ve been doing it for five years and basically what it is, … More Jarvis says: “…when it’s a two-way thing you connect, yeah. That’s it, it’s the connection, it’s to realise for these people that they’re not outcasts …”

Stef says: “LandWorks works because it doesn’t give up on people. It believes in people and it helps people to believe in themselves.”

June 25, 2026

This latest PeN project blog is from an interview with a LandWorks graduate carried out recently as part of the Reimagining Rehabilitation and Resettlement research currently being undertaken at LandWorks. “I was a trainee at LandWorks about five years ago and since leaving I became a Peer Support worker for the NHS, and then I … More Stef says: “LandWorks works because it doesn’t give up on people. It believes in people and it helps people to believe in themselves.”

Kara says: “At LandWorks I feel I’m understood. I keep going back to the word ‘acceptance’, so I’ve accepted who I am, and I feel I’ve just been so lucky to be part of it all”

May 29, 2026

“One of the highlights at LandWorks is eating together, everybody sitting at the table eating together. I never had that as a child and when I went to school in *, in primary school, we used to have these big, long tables and we’d all sit opposite each other and be servers and that was … More Kara says: “At LandWorks I feel I’m understood. I keep going back to the word ‘acceptance’, so I’ve accepted who I am, and I feel I’ve just been so lucky to be part of it all”

Jax says: “I don’t wanna leave LandWorks, which I actually don’t, but at the same time I’m glad I’m leaving because now I’ve got a life that I can work towards…”

April 28, 2026

“So yeah, LandWorks was the kick-start that I needed. I’ll always be grateful to LandWorks because LandWorks brought me into recovery. I’ve stated even in the meetings I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t come up here with Darryl and see Chris because I’d probably be back in jail right this second. … More Jax says: “I don’t wanna leave LandWorks, which I actually don’t, but at the same time I’m glad I’m leaving because now I’ve got a life that I can work towards…”

Nanda says: “LandWorks… I tend to always mention the unconditional positive regard because I think that’s like a unique and special part of it”

April 16, 2026

“Julie – So when someone asks what LandWorks does, what do you tell them? John – We are a supported route back into the community for people that are either currently in prison, at risk of going to prison, or some way involved within the Criminal Justice System. Rose – I think this question is … More Nanda says: “LandWorks… I tend to always mention the unconditional positive regard because I think that’s like a unique and special part of it”

Bobby says: ‘Being at LandWorks… it’s a social one innit […] when you’re trying to change your life around, you’ve fucked off all your mates so you can’t pick up the phone…”

April 2, 2026

“I done most of my time in the local prison. I see the LandWorks signs everywhere in there, but they stopped doing the ROTL then, so when I come out on licence my probation officer told me about LandWorks, so I kind of knew what it was about. He reckoned I’d like it, so he … More Bobby says: ‘Being at LandWorks… it’s a social one innit […] when you’re trying to change your life around, you’ve fucked off all your mates so you can’t pick up the phone…”

Graham says: “LandWorks works because of trust going both ways. It works because if we say we’re gonna do something we will do it…”

February 19, 2026

“I am the workshop manager, which involves the daily running of the workshop, making sure there are jobs for all the guys and girls to do each day and to bring an income in of roughly a £1000 a week if possible or hit a target of £4000 a month, whether that be for stuff … More Graham says: “LandWorks works because of trust going both ways. It works because if we say we’re gonna do something we will do it…”

Leo says:” I don’t feel judged, you know… there’s no hierarchy system here…”

February 5, 2026

“…well, I got the sentencing in September and was put on a 12-month suspended sentence, ‘til September, and given some RAR days or whatever they’re called, and when I went to go and meet my probation officer, you know, we had a little chat in *, and yeah I was telling her that I was … More Leo says:” I don’t feel judged, you know… there’s no hierarchy system here…”

Jax says: “I like being at LandWorks coz I feel like it’s my safe space.”

December 12, 2025

“My first couple of days here I relapsed and I was back using drugs again after being clean like all year, I’d relapsed. I was trying to hide it and me and ‘big man’ got in an argument in the van, yeah, to the point he got really angry and was like slapping the steering-wheel. … More Jax says: “I like being at LandWorks coz I feel like it’s my safe space.”