Ardagh Group wins UK Packaging Award’s CSR Initiative of the Year

21 / 11 / 2019

By Mohamed El Ghobashy - -

Ardagh Group has copped the UK Packaging Award for ‘CSR Initiative of the Year’ for its efforts to rehabilitate prisoners.

Ardagh’s Doncaster production facility is part of Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s OnSide project, which develops prisoners in HMP Hatfield through challenging activities and value-based lessons, demonstrating how to take positive steps forward.

The series of eight-week courses is filled with classroom and physical activity sessions, designed to motivate, rehabilitate and resettle individuals into society, secure sustainable employment and enjoy a successful life away from crime.

Ardagh Doncaster hosts participants in a recruitment day at the end of each course, providing experiences that prepare them to seek employment following release. Participants undertake mock interviews with Ardagh’s senior management, learn about business, tour the facility and deliver presentations they have prepared during the course.

OnSide is expected to deliver long-term rehabilitative effects, helping to reduce crime within communities and help offenders find employment on release from prison.

Jason Marsh, PE Officer, HMP Hatfield says: “Programs like this are really important. Some of the lads have never faced an interview or had to present in front of people; it gives them the opportunity to learn these skills. All the guys who have completed the program say how much they’ve taken away from it.”

James Grant, Plant Director at Ardagh Group Doncaster, adds: “We are absolutely over the moon to receive this award for such a meaningful project. It’s had a real impact, providing development opportunities for the delegates and for our own team too. We care deeply about our community, and giving back is our way of demonstrating that. It means so much to us that we can have a genuine impact on people’s lives.”