Clean Start: giving second chances to build better communities

Clean Start is a scheme in Greater Manchester that's changing lives and saving money. It's estimated it has already put ten million pounds back into the public purse by giving ex-offenders a second chance.

Workers clear houses and maintain estates - helping former criminals get their lives back on track. And now the scheme's been praised by the Government.

Our correspondent Matt O'Donogue has this report:

Sam Charlsworth was a troubled teenager and a fight when she was 18 lead to a four year sentence.

When she was released from prison in 2012 she thought her life was over:

That was until she found Clean Start.

Clean Start is a social enterprise run by the Trafford Housing Trust and it has been highlighted in a government review for saving taxpayers millions of pounds.

She's now one of ten ex-offenders working form their base in Old Trafford.

This shop on and Old Trafford estate that provides furniture for families on low incomes and people in crisis. Credit: Granada reports

Clean Start creates jobs for people like Sam who are trying to turn their lives around. In the last 6 years they've had 52 ex-offenders pass through and only five have gone back to prison.

A success story - changing lives and creating communities.