‘Team LandWorks’ Takes on the Plymouth Half Marathon
A 16-strong team of trainees, staff, supporters and a trustee from LandWorks, the South Devon-based criminal justice rehabilitation charity, will be running the Plymouth Half Marathon on 17th May to raise vital funds for the organisation’s award-winning rehabilitation and resettlement work.
In an extraordinary boost to the effort, a generous supporter has pledged to match every pound raised, up to £10,000 – doubling the impact of every donation. ‘Team LandWorks’ brings together a uniquely diverse group from across the charity’s community, including current trainees on placement Leo, Peter and Stan; staff members Steve, Daniela, Julia and Emma; supporters Alison, Bridie, David, Ibrahim, Jack, Jasper, Meg, and Sarah; and Chair of trustees (and former Totnes MP) Dr Sarah Wollaston.
doing it together as a team
Based on the Dartington estate near Totnes, LandWorks provides a supported route back into employment and the community for people leaving prison or serving community sentences and at risk of prison. The charity’s programme involves intensive placements lasting 6-9 months on average that combine real work-experience and training alongside comprehensive practical support to aid resettlement and reduce the risk of reoffending. After placements end, the charity provides a range of on-going support.
The charity has consistently recorded very low reoffending rates for former participants, and over 90% of people who have been through the programme and are available to work are currently in employment. The charity was awarded the Overall Award for Excellence at The Charity Awards 2024 and has previously won Best Local Organisation at the Criminal Justice Alliance Awards.
Chris Parsons, LandWorks Project Director, praised the running team’s spirit: “Team LandWorks represents a great coming together of the LandWorks community, bringing trainees, staff, supporters and trustees together in a way we’ve not seen before. It’s a powerful example of the shared purpose that defines LandWorks at its very best. There has been a fantastic response to the sponsorship campaign so far and we are very grateful to everyone who has pledged support. Any more support that we can get for the team would be fantastic and means we can make the most of the match funding available. Ultimately this is about changing people’s lives and making our communities safer.”
Members of the public can support Team LandWorks by sponsoring the runners via the charity’s Total Giving page. Every donation – big or small – will be doubled up to £10,000, helping LandWorks continue its work to reduce reoffending and transform lives across Devon. The campaign has raised over £3,500 already (and double that with the match funding).
A spontaneous idea born in the LandWorks market garden
The idea for entering the half marathon began, as so many important moments at LandWorks do, during a quiet conversation in the charity’s market garden. “Leo was telling me about his love of running, and as we continued the conversation over our tea-break, more LandWorks team members and trainees joined in,” explained Site Manager Steve Wellington. “We mentioned the Plymouth Half Marathon, and before we knew it, Team LandWorks was up and running!”
For trainee Leo, the challenge has personal significance: “Exercise has been a big part of my life and has really helped my journey. It’s really good for your mental health. Seeing everyone come together as a community is exciting – it’s given me motivation to sign up for a marathon later this year.” For some team members, the event provided the encouragement they needed to finally
take the plunge. “After two years working at LandWorks, joining the team felt like the perfect reason to finally go for it,” said Julia Toy, LandWorks’ Art Lead, who had long been curious about completing a half marathon.
For Steve, the message is simple: “What really matters is doing it together as a team. It’s not about how fast anyone runs – we’ll show up, support each other, and finish together.”