Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Community Payback in Stockport

Offenders Improve Bungalow For Brave Youngster Harley

THE bungalow brave Harley Slack and his family will be moving into is being refurbished by offenders carrying out Community Payback.

The four-year-old, who hopes to be discharged from Royal Manchester Children's Hospital within weeks, nearly died after contracting meningitis and needed all four limbs amputated.

His parents, Adam and Samantha, are moving from their house in Offerton, Stockport to Edgeley.

Offenders, supervised by Greater Manchester Probation Trust, have stripped all the walls, painted the building and will also be tiling the toilet and bathroom.

Adam said: “It’s three weeks before we move in and five weeks before Harley leaves hospital, there’s no-way I could have done the work myself in that time.

“I’m delighted with the bungalow, especially that it has such a fantastic garden, and it’s such a huge relief to see the work being done. It’s also saved us a lot of money.”

Six offenders working four days a week for five weeks are carrying out the work.

The father-of-two added: “I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by the people doing the work, they are genuine and really pleased to be helping and I think it’s an excellent way for people to be making good.

“Harley can’t wait to come here. He’s an intelligent lad, and considering what he’s been through he’s in tremendous spirits.”

The bungalow is owned by Stockport Homes, and they got in contact with the town’s Community Payback team to help with the work.

Duncan Wilks, an offender, said: “Obviously it’s a punishment because I’m giving up my time to be here, but I’m a decorator and to be helping on this project is good because it’s really worth while.”

Pilkingtons Tiles has donated tiles for use at the bungalow.

Mark Francis, Community Payback Placement Officer, said: “We do a lot of work in partnership with Stockport Homes and were delighted to help when we heard about this project.”

 

Litter clearance at Stockport station

In April offenders on community payback carried out a massive litter clearance on land at the back of Exchange Street and the Stockport station approach. Workers were on site all day and collected 30 bags of rubbish.