James Bickley, the Forestry Commission’s Local Partnership Adviser for the North West and West Midlands, shares details of a new, life changing initiative. One that creates training opportunities and a chance for prisoners to rebuild their future, while boosting UK tree production.
The Forests with Impact programme establishes commercial tree nurseries on prison land, enabling prisoners to learn essential forestry skills. This hands-on training improves prisoner employment prospects upon release while contributing to wider environmental goals, including reforestation and biodiversity restoration.
As the Forestry Commission’s Local Partnership Adviser in the area, my involvement focuses on connecting partners, spotting opportunities and developing the community around the project. By providing advice on available grant funding, the project was able to secure government match funding from the Tree Production Capital Grant. This grant helps cover the initial set up costs, alongside the money generously donated by national partners involved.
A forestry partnership with purpose
The first site at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria is already growing over 250,000 saplings, with two more prisons set to join the initiative soon. The programme delivers three key benefits:
1. Skilled workforce development
Four prisoners with paid, part time roles operate the polytunnels and nurture the saplings at HMP Haverigg. They have all achieved City and Guilds Level 1 and 2 Diplomas in Horticulture, providing them with skills required by local industry. Prisoners work alongside industry experts and are coached in tree propagation and environmental management.
2. Support for the forestry industry
The initiative’s commercial tree nursery focuses on growing seedlings to support industries committed to carbon reduction, biodiversity enhancement and ecological recovery. The overall aim is to support the government’s tree-planting targets and to help tackle climate change. The programme also explores new training opportunities in timber processing, butchery and red squirrel conservation, further supporting sustainable land management.
3. Stronger communities
By creating real employment pathways for prisoners and prison leavers, the programme aims to provide hope, pride and purpose alongside practical skills – helping to break the cycle of reoffending and supporting reintegration and employment upon release. The sustainable income generated by the nursery will also be reinvested to support the growth of local communities.
Building a sustainable future
At the heart of this programme is the belief that growing trees can change lives. Studies show that stable employment significantly reduces reoffending rates, which currently costs the economy £18 billion per year.1 By providing practical skills and nationally recognised qualifications, Forests with Impact helps create a workforce ready to support the UK’s forestry, conservation and land management sectors.
Through the prison initiatives, I’ve seen first-hand how rehabilitation can transform lives. As offenders grow trees and restore nature, they rebuild their own futures – finding purpose, hope and a sense of belonging. Every tree grown, every habitat restored is a step towards a better future. Change is possible and I’m proud to be part of that journey.
Lean more about the Forests with Impact programme. If you would like to explore partnership opportunities with the Forestry Commission, contact your local area team.
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