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How a tree nursery at HMP Fosse Way is growing skills, opportunity and impact

500,000 trees planted. New skills developed. New opportunities taking root.

Last year, we announced our partnership with Forests with Impact to establish the UK's first commercial tree nursery within a Category C prison.

Now, the project is in action at HMP Fosse Way, creating positive environmental impact while giving men in our care the opportunity to develop practical skills that could support their future careers.

Impact that goes further

Around 500,000 native UK tree saplings have now been planted at the nursery, with more than 200,000 expected to survive their first growing season.

The nursery is growing three species native to the Leicester area: alder, silver birch and hawthorn. The tallest saplings have already exceeded 40cm in height, with the project continuing to develop as the team prepares for its next stage.

But the impact of the nursery goes far beyond the trees themselves.
The project is providing men in our care with the opportunity to gain hands-on horticultural experience and develop skills that can be transferred directly into employment opportunities in the community after release.

When the partnership was launched, HMP Fosse Way Director Wyn Jones highlighted the importance of creating these opportunities:
"The opportunity to equip the men in our care with real skills that are immediately transferable to real work opportunities in the community upon release is something precious."
He described Forests with Impact as providing a potential turning point for those who choose to take this path, while highlighting the value many people place on the opportunity to work outdoors.

Skills for a future beyond prison

For those taking part, the nursery offers more than practical experience. It provides an opportunity to learn something new, build confidence and develop skills in an industry with accessible career pathways.
The impact is already being felt. One prisoner involved in the project described how the experience had improved their wellbeing while opening up "a whole world of knowledge and opportunity."
Another has already begun developing plans to establish a commercial tree nursery after release – showing how the skills and experience gained through the project could translate into a future career.

This is an important part of our approach to rehabilitation: helping people develop the skills, experience and confidence they need to build positive futures beyond prison.

Sustainability and social value working together

The tree nursery is also a great example of how environmental sustainability and social value can work hand in hand.

By growing native trees for future commercial supply, the project is contributing to the UK's wider environmental needs while creating meaningful opportunities for people in custody.

It has taken a collective effort to bring the project to life, including building new partnerships and securing more than £30,000 worth of donated labour, materials and resources.

Thanks to everyone involved, the project has been established at pace and is already delivering tangible environmental and social benefits.

What's next?

The focus now is on completing the transplanting season and preparing for a Plant Healthy audit. Once this is achieved, the aim is to begin supplying trees commercially to the industry.

From the first saplings planted to the skills being developed alongside them, the project demonstrates what can happen when sustainability, rehabilitation and opportunity grow together.

We're proud of the colleagues, partners and people in our care who are helping make that happen at HMP Fosse Way.

Interested in being part of it? Learn more today.

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