Sparky – I'm proof Recycling Lives works

When Sparky was released from prison he was sleeping on his brother's sofa and had managed to find a job with a family friend. But after falling out with his employer, Sparky's brother kicked him out and he was left homeless.

Sleeping in stairwells, derelict shop roofs and on park benches across Preston, Sparky couldn't believe he was living on the streets. "I'd get up, have a few cans, mess about with drugs or commit crime," said Sparky. "I didn't think about the future, all I could do is go day by day and try to find somewhere warm to get my head down."

Sparky eventually found a place in a hostel, where he heard people talking about Recycling Lives – a metal and waste recycling business which maintains a social welfare charity for homeless people, including ex-offenders, ex-armed services and street homeless.

Recycling Lives breaks down barriers

"At first I thought, ‘Nah, that can't be right, there's nothing like that for people like me.' But I looked into it, got a place and it's been amazing," said Sparky.

Providing accommodation, employment, training and education, Recycling Lives breaks down the barriers homeless people often face in accessing support by providing everything in one purpose-built centre.

80 per cent of people who come to Recycling Lives are employed directly by the company's recycling business. The rest are employed by businesses in the local community that Recycling Lives has built partnerships with.

Steve Jackson, founder and CEO of Recycling Lives, explains: "Recycling Lives is made up of two entities – a charity and a limited company with the objectives to make a profit and maintain the charity. Our commercial approach gives us a sustainable model to operate the charity, and one that we plan to replicate across the UK.

"When someone comes to the Recycling Lives centre we provide accommodation, clothing and food, and we establish a work ethic. Many people come from workless backgrounds or have no qualifications, so we work with Preston College to offer education and training on-site.

We give people the skills they need

"We give people the skills they need to work for our business or move on to a job outside of Recycling Lives. By having everything under one roof, we are also able to give these people the support they need to live independently in the future.

"Anybody referred to Recycling Lives understands this is not just a housing option, this is a lifestyle change. We provide a pathway to full-time employment and the opportunity for people to break the cycle of dependence they are in."

Sparky has gained almost 40 qualifications through Recycling Lives, including literacy, numeracy, computer skills, first aid, industrial cleaning and furniture restoration. In the morning he cleans the company offices and in the afternoon he strips computers for recycling.

I'm proof that Recycling Lives works

Sparky adds: "Recycling Lives put a roof over my head, fed me, gave me a safe environment, provided a job and helped me get all these qualifications. I've stuck at it and made it work. I've got my own flat, my mum isn't ill from the stress and worry I caused and I'm in touch with friends who say they've seen a massive improvement in me.

"I'm planning to set up my own cleaning business and I want to employ other people who've come through Recycling Lives to run it with me. My life is so different now. I'm proof that Recycling Lives works."

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