Community Payback

Offenders help breathe new life into Irlam Linear Park

Hamilton Davies Trust (HDT) is backing a project to rehabilitate offenders that involves them helping to restore an overgrown park to its former glory.

Ultimately the scheme aims to transform Irlam Linear Park’s neglected pathway – covering around 10,000 square metres – into an attractive green space for local people to enjoy.

The project also supports our quest to re-establish cycle paths linking Irlam to South Manchester.

Mandy Coleman, general manager at HDT, said: “We contacted Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company to ask if offenders on the Community Payback programme could help our community and they have now begun a project to improve areas of the Irlam Linear Park.”

Teams of up to eight people – closely supervised by the Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation
Company are now carrying out a range of tasks in partnership with HDT.

Community Payback has so far spent hundreds of man hours on the scheme, but hopes are high that the work could become a regular feature to restore and maintain the whole of the Linear Park, once permission to access the rest of the land has been given by the owners Peel Holdings.

Mandy added: “We are very grateful and excited that Community Payback is undertaking this exciting project that will substantially improve local amenities. Linking up with probation is ideal because this initiative can provide a route away from re-offending that can only benefit our broader community.”

Sean, one of the payback workers on the project, is on a 12-month suspended sentence order that includes a requirement to complete 240 hours of unpaid work. He said: “I much prefer to be outside and doing physical work. It’s good that people have popped out to thank us – that means we know the job we are doing means something to the community.”

Dave Bowyer, Community Payback officer, said: “Offenders have already received positive comments from residents who appreciate the work they are doing to improve the area.”

David added: “It is right that we hold people to account for their actions, but it is also vitally important to help people learn skills and to support their rehabilitation. It’s a really good project because offenders can see the difference they are making and being told that by the public makes all the difference.”

Posted on: 22nd April 2016