“When I first come out, I was anxious, really anxious, because I thought to meself, I don’t know nothing other than what I’ve been doing all my life. I’ve had to change everything. The way of thinking. I’ve had bad thoughts, don’t get me wrong, they’re fading away now, yeah, not so many at all. … More Finishing Time: Glyn six months out
“I get anxious wherever I go, anywhere new or meeting people for the first time. My anxiety levels go sky-high… I think it’s gradually got worse over the years. Where I’ve gone into prison, and when I come back out, I’m missing chunks of peoples lives and I’m not used to seeing so many people … More Tommy says: “I don’t rate myself very highly. I’m here, that’s the main thing.”
“I’m a trainee police officer on a week’s placement… I didn’t know LandWorks despite living … I’ve got family in Totnes, so, I’ve kind of heard of LandWorks, but not exactly what they do. I did some research online and knew that there would be manual work and outdoor work and woodwork, but I … More Jack says: “You coppers are all the same, well, we’re not.”
“I phone my wife probably four times a day. I always call her in the morning to make sure she’s got to work. I like to know she’s in work. When she’s gone to work I phone her mobile, but in the evenings, it’s on the landline. I put so much money on phone credit, … More Matt says: “I always say it’s worse for them on the outside, definitely worse for them…”
“I’ve been coming out here for a few months. I was unemployed. I was on the streets. Then I went into jail. Discovered LandWorks and then I made enquiries about it and the prisoners from in the prison said it was rubbish, but I thought I had to go out and try it for myself. … More Terry says: “The best bit of LandWorks would be like they actually took a bit of interest in me…”
“I’ve done lots of catering types of work. Loads of different types of jobs. Never the same type of job, but always usually catering. I’ve done removals. I’ve done factory work, production work, sales, all sorts of jobs. I’ve worked at the local supermarkets, till work, bit of everything really, but mainly catering, mainly kind … More Casper says: “It’s just one day at a time for me.”
“I had visions of having Hi-Vis on, ‘community service’ written on, picking up rubbish in a field or something, thought it would be something degrading to be honest. It was completely the opposite. Fell on my feet massively. From what I understand that’s what community service is… well, back in my Town it was anyway. … More Sean says: “This is a whole new section now. New beginnings. I’m looking forward to it…”
“I was brave enough to get out of an abusive relationship and then just so fortunate to have been pointed towards this project. It’s just been miraculous. The support network and everything is so positive, instead of putting you down and being badged as this or that. It’s great I’m out and the fact I … More Helen says: “I want to move forward and being here makes me feel positive in moving forward all the time..”
“I’m nearly leaving now, what a gang of people you’ve got out here. They’ve not just helped me, they’ve helped me in ways I didn’t think I could possibly be helped. Being a heroin addict for 30 years and coming out of myself within five months, I didn’t think could be possible. So, I feel … More Eric says: “I’m nearly mended”
“I think a lot of people are a bit wary about picking up prisoners, but that didn’t faze me at all. I’ve worked with people before who’ve been in prison. People have made mistakes and that’s life, isn’t it? We all make mistakes. People say to me “why are you driving prisoners?”, like it’s something … More Ernie says: “I think a lot of people are a bit wary about picking up prisoners…”
A window into LandWorks 