Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Community Payback in Oldham

Community Payback Helps Oldham Rugby Club

OFFENDERS carrying out Community Payback are helping improve the grounds of Oldham Rugby Union Football Club.

The club, which is more than a century old, runs four teams as well as two junior squads and has three pitches, a Crown Green bowling team, a newly refurbished club house and gardens at its Manor Park home, on Byrth Road, Bardsley.
 
Oldham’s Community Payback unit, which is part of the Greater Manchester Probation Trust, first got involved with the Rugby club a couple of years ago.
Community Payback is a punishment for breaking the law, rigorously enforced by probation.
Grounds man Alan Hollingsworth, who doubles as the club’s third XV manager, said: "Like all community organisations at the moment, times are hard and we are struggling for finances and so the support we are getting is a great help.
 
"I ask the offenders what they can offer as there are many jobs that need doing and some of them have experience in different areas. So far we’ve had one who’s pointed the brickwork, a painter who painted the club sign and a man who completely cleared undergrowth from a bank.
"One of the men who completed his Community Payback here now plays for us, he’s fitted in brilliantly and is a credit to the club. He’s the top try scorer in the team I manage."
Alan now supervises low risk offenders twice a week as part of an "agency" arrangement with Oldham Probation that sees low risk offenders supervised by community groups.
He added: "They work hard, and it’s vitally important for us. If the place looks good then that encourages businesses to hold functions here and that provides a source of income.
"It also gives us pride that away teams visiting our ground are impressed."
Caroline Edwards, Community Payback Officer, oversees the agency scheme run by Alan.
She said: "In a very real way the offenders are paying back for the crimes they have committed.
"We are delighted to be working with the Rugby Club and if any other community groups are interested in making similar arrangements I would be delighted to speak to them."
 
To find out more about the club either call: 0161 624 6383 or simply turn up for training nights on Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm.
To contact Oldham’s Community Payback team please call: 0161 620 4421.
 
 
Oldham Community Payback Team Clear Snow
 
Offenders in Oldham have been helping to make the borough safer in the snowfall by shovelling snow and grit in the town centre.

 
Three teams of offenders are working in freezing conditions to help council staff clear roads, pavements and entrances to buildings.

Councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said ‘It’s a great idea to get offenders clearing the roads of ice and snow as part of their punishment.

"This initiative shows that Community Payback can be of real benefit to the local community - and the extra assistance is invaluable as our staff continue their work to keep the Borough moving."

Stephen Cope, Community Operations Manager for Oldham, added: "We’ve been working with Oldham Council for sometime ensuring offenders put something back into their community by keeping local areas clean and tidy."

"The priority at the moment is obviously to make roads and pavements as safe as possible for residents so we have committed to ensuring our offenders help with this work for as long as is needed."
 
 
Offenders Win Glowing Praise After Creating a Garden at a Care Centre for the Disabled.
 
Heathside Cottage is home to six people who have cerebral palsy, or similar conditions, and is run by the charity Scope.
 
Teams of six offenders, working for six days, have cleared several skip loads of overgrowth from the cottage’s garden. They will also be installing a sensory garden with items like wind chimes that blind residents will be able to enjoy.
 
Jean Piatczanyn, senior support manager at Heathside Cottage, said: “The work the offenders have carried out is fabulous, all we need now are more bedding plants and I’d be thrilled if someone were able to donate some to us.
“The gardens were really overgrown and we were unable to use them, and as we are a charity we were unable to pay for the work ourselves.
“I’ve been really impressed by how hard the offenders have worked and we are all delighted by the results. It means so much to our residents.”
 
Oldham’s Community Payback Unit carries out similar tasks across the town, with groups of offenders doing everything from cooking meals for the elderly through to painting and decorating and improving the environment.
 
Jean said: “A volunteer used to maintain the garden but it eventually became too much.
“I’ve never seen it looking so good, and now it’s in this shape it’ll be easier to keep in order.”
Paul Mayers, Community Payback Officer, said: “We will continue to help as much as we can.
“It has been a good experience for offenders to come here and learn more about the centre, and the project seems to have captivated the imagination of everybody involved, and is progressing really well.
 
“I would like to especially thank Dennis Brennan, Community Payback Coordinator for First Choice Homes, who has collected the rubbish from the site and disposed of it for us.”
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