A winning partnership with His Majesty's Prison Service

The partnership helps to deliver environmental, social, and community-wide benefits by transforming waste materials into valuable training opportunities and helping local hospitals access refurbished medical equipment.

Through this initiative, working with the Youth Custody Service, youth offenders are being trained to repurpose waste items, such as wheels and other reusable components, that have been taken to Surrey’s community recycling centres converting them into functional resources while gaining hands-on experience. The programme not only supports important county sustainability goals but also provides participants with practical skills that improve their employment prospects upon release.

As part of the partnership, youth offenders also help clean, sort, and prepare donated medical equipment, ensuring it can be safely reused within local hospitals and healthcare settings. This vital work both reduces waste and strengthens the supply of essential equipment for NHS teams across the region.

Gareth Swain, Regional Manager said: “This partnership is a powerful example of how environmental responsibility and social impact can work hand in hand. By transforming discarded items into new opportunities, we’re helping young offenders build confidence and capability, while also ensuring that vital medical equipment gets a second life in our hospitals.”

Keith Potter from HMP Feltham added “Our focus is on rehabilitation, skills development, and preparing people for meaningful work after release. The partnership with SUEZ has enabled us to deliver this and win a few awards along the way!”

This programme highlights the value of cross-sector collaboration, bringing together the justice system, healthcare providers, and the waste management sector to generate tangible environmental benefits and create pathways for rehabilitation and future employment.