Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Community Payback in Salford

Irlam Groundsman Supervises Almost a Hundred Offenders in 18 years
 
GROUNDSMAN Colin Dixon is retiring after 18 years in the job, and during that time he has supervised almost a hundred offenders.

The Irlam Steel Recreation Ground, just off Liverpool Road, is home to a crown green bowls, football and cricket, and dates back to 1935.

Colin, who is married and has two grandchildren, originally worked as a roll turner in Irlam’s steel works.

Since starting as groundsman in 1991 he has supervised 98 offenders carrying out Community Payback orders, in a partnership with Salford’s Community Payback Team.  

He said: “I wasn’t nervous about working with offenders, right from when I started at the club supervised teams of lads came here and I was eventually asked if I would supervise them myself.

“Some of the people who have worked here still keep in touch and drop in for a brew.

“My mother told me to treat everyone the same, I’ve really enjoyed supervising offenders. In all this time I only had trouble with five of them who were not prepared to work.”

Offenders are risk assessed, and only those considered appropriate are allowed to be supervised by outside agencies, such as community groups and charities.

Colin said: “The work is hard, including painting, mowing, weeding, cleaning the car parks and getting stuck in during all weathers, so it’s definitely not a soft option.”

Colin is retiring just before Christmas, and hopes to visit art galleries and museums, improve his golf handicap and play more bowls.

Offenders complete more than 4,000 hours of work in Salford per month, with projects varying from environmental improvement schemes through to painting and decorating community facilities and running a popular club for the disabled.

Chris Crolla is a Community Payback Supervisor based at Salford, which is part of the Greater Manchester Probation Trust.

She said: “Colin’s an absolute treasure who always treated the offenders with respect, and we’d all like to wish him well during his retirement.”

Any community groups or charities that would like to learn more about taking on offenders to carry out Community Payback should contact Salford’s Community Payback Team on: 0161 736 6441.