AtkinsRéalis joins prisoner rehabilitation project

AtkinsRéalis has joined a social value project to help strengthen communities and contribute to the UK’s net zero targets.

Social enterprise Forests With Impact launched in 2024 with an initiative at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria to establish commercial tree nurseries in prisons.

The programme provides training and skills to prisoners as they grow seeds into saplings. This, in turn, helps to address the skills shortage in the forestry industry by enhancing routes to employment for prisoners post release.

AtkinsRéalis has joined the programme as a national partner, reflecting its commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles.

Esther Waldren, AtkinsRéalis’ MOJ framework social value lead, said the partnership will allow the company to create a positive legacy that does not stop with infrastructure, but also helps improve communities and society. 

Waldren added: “Together, we can create rehabilitation and employment opportunities for prison-leavers, helping reduce reoffending and play our part in combatting the prison population crisis. 

“This innovative social enterprise aligns perfectly with AtkinsRéalis’ commitment to the environment, sustainability, and improving quality of life in communities, so we are eager to see what we can achieve as a team.” 

With a focus on long-term, sustainable environmental restoration and social reintegration, Forests With Impact reinvests surplus revenue to further prisoner training and industry-focused training for the local community. 

As the programme expands with the support of its partners, additional prisons will be onboarded.

Sarah MacGregor, Forests With Impact programme lead, said: “We are excited to welcome AtkinsRéalis into the Forests With Impact network of partners. Their expertise in delivering world-class engineering solutions and their commitment to driving positive social and environmental change make them the perfect partner. 

“Together, we can scale our efforts, support individuals in their rehabilitation journeys, and make a lasting difference for both the environment and communities across the UK.”

Main image credit: Carlos Reina Photography/Forests With Impact