Breaking Free

The 180 Project is based in Lower Darwen, Lancashire and uses CrossFit combined with education, life coaching and practical skill development, to help people become physically, emotionally, and mentally well and socially connected.  Their aim is to break the vicious cycle of addiction, crime and prison and they have an in reach prison program which currently runs at HMP Lancaster Farms. Those who are in prison are among the most vulnerable and excluded in society and the 180 Project aims to address the physical, mental and spiritual health of prisoners, providing them with a way to lead healthy lives.

“180 feels like it’s run with love and care, it’s first class life changing. Thank you for believing in us, this world needs more people like you. It’s by far the best course I have ever been involved in whilst I’ve served almost 13 years of prison.”

OUR PARTNERSHIP

We (Lancaster Foundation) funded their original pilot in 2016 which enabled them to evidence what they believed they could achieve. As the 180 Project continued to run as a volunteer organization, we maintained our support, guidance and prayer for them, continually amazed at the stories of change taking place.

“Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. It means so much you don’t even understand! You’ve really saved my life with this opportunity.”

STORY OF CHANGE

When the time was ready for them to run a pilot in HMP Lancaster Farms we agreed to support this pioneering work further, enabling more stories of change, just like this one below:

L became addiction to heroin and crack cocaine at the age of 13. This led him to a life of prison and crime, spending the last 20 years in and out of jail. We met L in May 2022 when he enrolled on our course at HMP Lancaster Farms. Slowly he began to speak about his life and the challenges he faced on release. As our relationship with L developed, he began to ask about what we did on the outside and if he could move to Darwen to be supported. L has now been out of prison for 8 months and is drink and drug free. He has rebuilt relationships with his children and is committed to staying out of prison for good. He now volunteers at the 180 gym in Darwen and aspires to become a CrossFit coach. He now has a purpose…

“I wake up buzzing and excited to know I’m on the 180 course. Knowing I’ve got the chance to be a CrossFit coach to possibly help turn other people’s lives around, I now feel so lucky to get the chance to do this.”