Recycled tools benefit community gardeners

Local schools and community gardeners were among the first wave of people in Doncaster to benefit from a selection of gardening tools, from HMP Hatfield's first Tools Shed garden tool giveaway.
LOCAL GARDENERS DIG TOOLS REPAIRED IN HMP HATFIELDLOCAL GARDENERS DIG TOOLS REPAIRED IN HMP HATFIELD
LOCAL GARDENERS DIG TOOLS REPAIRED IN HMP HATFIELD

The tools had been repaired in the prison’s workshops, as part of The Conservation Foundation’s Tools Shed project - an innovative recycling scheme which works in a number of prisons around the UK to bring broken garden tools, collected at local garden centres and recycling depots, back to life, while giving skills and occupation to prisoners.

Following its successful pilot at Wandsworth Prison in 2006, there are now Tools Shed workshops at six English prisons, including Wandsworth and Hatfield, thanks to support from Big Lottery Reaching Communities fund.

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Over the past 12 years, many thousands of tools have been given a new lease of life in prison workshops before being given away free to good causes.

Chris George, HMP Hatfield’s industries, and business & community engagement manager, said: “HMP Hatfield has a long-standing association with The Conservation Foundation and we’re pleased to be working alongside the charity with the Tools Shed project.

“Since we introduced the project in our recycling unit earlier this year, the men in the workshop have thoroughly enjoyed working on the tools. Involvement with the project has helped our prisoners improve their skills and has given them the satisfaction of seeing the finished articles donated to many worthwhile recipient.”

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