A South Hams charity is celebrating a major Lotto windfall which will help reduce reoffending and transform lives.

The Dartington-based LandWorks has received £190,000 from the Lotto’s Community Fund to support its work with people in the criminal justice system over the next three years.

The award was formally announced at the charity’s annual supporters’ day event last Friday, where more than 100 local supporters and partners visited the site to learn more about the charity’s work over the last year.

From its base on the Dartington Hall estate, LandWorks will use the grant to continue to provide a supported route back into employment and the community for people in prison or at risk of going to prison, working closely with local probation services and HMP Channings Wood.

Chris Parsons, LandWorks Project Director said: “We are delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

“Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to continue our work with some of the most challenging and social excluded people in our communities.

“Our project works intensively with people to help create lasting change.

“It is in everyone’s interests that more is done to help people in the criminal justice system to change their lives and reduce the risk of reoffending.

“We want to thank all our supporters, volunteers, donors and partners.

“We know that without all their help and support over the years we would not have secured this important grant.”

The charity provides intensive worked-based placements, with participants taking part in a series of enterprises including a market garden, pottery, and wood workshop - all providing produce for sale to the local community.

Alongside gaining important vocational and social skills from the training programme, LandWorks ‘trainees’ are provided with a wide range of extra support to aid their resettlement and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

This includes counselling and practical assistance with issues such as finding accommodation and seeking employment.

After placements end, LandWorks remains in contact and provides a range of ongoing support for its former trainees.

To date LandWorks has provided more than 150 intensive placements for prisoners and people serving community sentences, with considerable success.

Whereas national figures show that almost half of former prisoners reoffend within one year of release, an equivalent reoffending rate for LandWorks is just five per cent.

And over 90 per cent of former LandWorks trainees that are eligible to work are currently in at least part-time employment.

Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall said: “I am delighted for LandWorks and the dedicated team who do such tremendous work in supporting ex-offenders to rebuild their lives.

“I am pleased their work has been recognised and I can think of no worthier recipient for this funding.”

Talking about his experience of the project, ex-offender Stuart, said: “It’s no understatement to say that LandWorks literally saved my life.

“The humility, care and support provided means that I have a real solid platform to move forward in life.

“I can’t thank the team enough for being there in a time of real crisis in my life.”