Ardagh Group’s work with Leeds Rhinos Foundation to help rehabilitate prisoners has won the UK Packaging Award for ‘CSR Initiative of the Year’.

Ardagh’s Doncaster production facility is part of Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s OnSide project.

The project aimed to develop prisoners in HMP Hatfield through challenging activities and value-based lessons, demonstrating how to take positive steps forward.

The series of eight-week courses was 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 hosted participants in a recruitment day at the end of each course, providing experiences that prepare them to seek employment following release.

Participants undertook mock interviews with Ardagh’s Senior Management, learn about business, tour the facility and deliver presentations they have prepared during the course.

James Grant, Plant Director at Ardagh Group Doncaster, said: “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.”

Pictured: OnSide participants from HMP Hatfield with the Ardagh Group team on a Recruitment Day at the Doncaster facility