“I looked at myself and I knew I had to change.”

Gary had feared he had no future to look forward to: “I was 40 and in prison with a criminal record from being 13. I had no work
history, no qualifications - no future,” he says.

What Gary did have though, was an opportunity to move into Recycling Lives' residential charity.

He was determined to land himself a job he could make a career out of: “You can’t come in to Recycling Lives half-heartedly. You've got to be determined to change and better your life.”

Now he works in grounds maintenance for United Utilities - the third charity Graduate to be employed by the business.

“Recycling Lives give people like me opportunities to change. Now I really can see a future.”