Our annual reports share how we change lives by feeding communities, reducing reoffending and tackling homelessness.
This year our Impact Report tells how we survived and thrived throughout the challenges created by the pandemic and lockdowns. It shares the inspirational stories of men and women rebuilding their lives and the communities helping people through the most turbulent of times.
Sharing our work and impact allows us to celebrate the successes of the men, women and communities we support, and recognise our team who make this possible. It also demonstrates that change is possible – that social problems which create both social and economic costs can be overcome.
Read Impact Report
Reducing reoffending
Reducing reoffending rates to <5%
Improving employability
Supporting 149 people into employment
Feeding communities
Delivering 3 million meals to 216 groups
Creating social value savings worth £22.3m
Together we're Recycling Lives
We delivered three million meals to communities in need in 2020 – preventing 1,262 tonnes of food from going to waste. Instead these goods went to 216 charities and community groups across Lancashire and Cumbria, feeding thousands of people every week.
Demand for our Food Redistribution programme tripled throughout the pandemic. We were able to meet this huge rise in need with the support of our 52 regular volunteers, 14 of whom secured full-time work as a result of their volunteering.
Despite the challenges created by lockdowns, prison closures and contractions in the job markets, we supported 85 men and women into training and work on release from prison in 2020. In doing so, our Offender Rehabilitation programme reduced reoffending rates amongst our cohort to less than 5%.
We also supported 39 people who had been long-term unemployed into training and work, through our community programmes.
Tackling homelessness
We supported 11 men who had formerly experienced homelessness into work and independent housing in 2020. Giving specialist support and a structure programme of training and personal development allowed participants of our Residential programme to regain their independence.
"The experience of the last 18 months has brought our team closer together. Everyone mucked in and helped wherever it was needed. Whether it was their role or not.
"Good communication and flexibility were key. When a challenge arose (and there were plenty) we came up with solutions and worked our way around it.
"Most importantly we continued to give our participants and recipients the best possible chances to improve their lives.
"We've always been keen to demonstrate the value of our work – its benefits for participants and communities, and its value for communities and the taxpayer.
"Of course, we'll always lean towards demonstrating our impact through the stories of the people we've helped. I'm proud to share these with you in this report."
Alasdair Jackson, Chief Executive
Read Alasdair's reflection in full in the Impact Report.