Kirklees Community Payback projects
In December 2009, over 2777 hours were completed by offenders on Community Payback in Kirklees. Twenty four local projects are being worked on to improve the quality of environments where communities can thrive.
Working in partnership with the Police and the Council, Probation staff supervise offenders undertaking tasks such as clearing ginnels and footpaths, renovating paths, painting and decorating, and litter picking. Organisations who have benefitted include Chickenley Community Centre, and local schools and charity shops.
In spite of artic conditions, offenders on Community Payback recently shovelled snow in Kirkwood Hospice, and at hospitals around Kirklees. They cleared paths and car parks so people could safely visit sick friends and relatives.
Wilton Park, Batley
Working in partnership with Kirklees Council and the Park Warden, we have spent over 400 hours supervising offenders cleaning up Wilton Park, Batley. Garden borders have been tidied, overgrown shrubbery has been cut back and the bowling green boards and park toilets have been repainted. The park is well used by the locals and everyone is pleased with the renovations. Work will continue for the next few weeks.
Scholes Lunch Club
Each week offenders serve up dinner at the Scholes community lunch club at St Phillip and St James Church Hall. The offenders work together to prepare, cook and serve the food, as well as clearing up afterwards. They learn catering skills and team work as well as dealing with members of the public. These skills can help them move on into paid employment and reduce the risk of them committing further offences. The photo shows staff receiving the Gold Healthy Choice Award for their high standard of food hygiene and healthy menus. The award was presented by Kirklees Council.
Batteforde Playing Fields
Offenders have been building a much needed path around the Battyeforde playing fields in Mirfield to improve access for wheelchair users and for dog walkers. Kirklees Council are providing materials and supplies whilst offenders are providing the labour. Teams of offenders are working at the site two days a week.
Thornhill Lees lunch club
We provide the catering for a lunch club in Thornhill Lees, where offenders are now preparing, cooking and serving the meals. Lesley Senior, administrator and organiser of the lunch club said: “The community initially had doubts about having offenders on the premises, but those doubts have now floated away. The majority of workers serving Community Payback give more than 110%! We cannot praise them enough. Andrew Frisby, the supervisor, has advised us on menu ideas and has created a great atmosphere in the kitchen and dining area. He and his team are brilliant.”
