Community Payback in Bury
Weeks of Action
Offenders have been involved with other Partner agencies including Bury Council, Police, Housing and the Fire service over the past few months in Bury.
Under the Supervision of a Community Payback Supervisor the teams have transformed a number of grot spots and helped local communities dispose of rubbish, painting and repair of garden fences, general garden maintenance and basically helping to build public confidence in what Community Payback and the Probation Service are about.
Recent week of action projects have taken place at Rainsough, Woodhill and Brandlesholme.On one of these projects 5 large skips were filled by the team.
Heaton Park road repairs
For everyone who visits Heaton Park they will be aware of how popular it is for the local community and people from further afield. The park attracts large events on a regular basis, which obviously takes its toll on the wear and tear of the main paths.
Community Payback became involved with the maintenance of the park and agreed to spend 2 days per week repairing the roads within. On one of the days offenders would square off the edges of the holes and the following day they would fill them with tarmac and using the correct machinery create a professional finish. Each week the groups would use around 2 tonne’s of tarmac.
This has made sure the park is a safer place for people to ride bikes, push prams and generally enjoy the environment.
Offenders spruce up charity premises
Offenders carrying out Community Payback have been helping to decorate a charity’s premises.
The Bury Furniture Charity, in Wash Lane, sells household goods at low prices to needy families. It was opened last November by the Mayor Councillor Sheila Magnall.
Supervised groups of offenders have been preparing and repainting the building to improve the facility and allow more furniture to be displayed.
Eric Mather, charity manager, said: “We are very grateful for the labour which Heywood Community Payback have provided as it would have been difficult to recruit enough volunteers to get the job completed in such a tight time frame.
“The group has been very good and have got on with the task. We are keen to work closely with Community Payback in the future.”
The charity receives donated furniture and refurbishes, before selling it for the lowest possible price. Bury Furniture is operated by the town’s Meridian Foundation which also rents out around 200 properties to low-income families throughout Greater Manchester and holds training courses for the unemployed.
The charity will also be opening two new shops in the near future.
Craig Sykes, Community Payback Officer, said: “This is a very positive project which will make a difference to the organisation and the people who use it.
“The charity is very worthwhile and I am sure we can continue to support it.”
