News
OFFENDERS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY23 May 2007 |
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| Toc H Leigh Community Centre is to benefit from a project which will see offenders making amends for their crimes by giving thousands of hours of free labour. The initiative is being backed by the new Mayor of Wigan, Councillor John O'Brien. In a unique tie-up between the Mayor's office and Greater Manchester Probation Area, the project was launched by Councillor O'Brien at the Toc H Leigh Community Centre this week. This is the first mayoral unpaid work project in Wigan and will see offenders helping to revamp the popular community centre. Offenders will carry out work inside and outside the building including: • Removing and disposing of rubble, bricks, wood, weeds, litter and other debris • Constructing and tending a garden area at the back of the premises • Repairing and refitting drainpipes • Painting and pointing of walls • Demolishing and removing the old stage area • Building and replacing radiator covers. • Assisting professional trades people carrying out other work From the launch, work is expected to continue for around six months. It will take around 1,500 hours of free labour by teams of offenders sentenced by the courts and supervised by probation staff. It is worth at least £16,000 (at £6.25 per hour) to the area, for full management of the project including staff, tools and equipment etc. Councillor O' Brien said: "I am delighted to be the first Mayor to be invited to back a mayoral unpaid work project in Wigan. This project will breathe new life into a much loved and well used centre right in the heart of a thriving local community. "This is a fitting way for offenders to pay something back to their communities for their crimes. Once completed the revamped centre will be an even more wonderful asset for the people of the area." The Centre is used by a wide range of groups including a mother and toddler group, drama group, morris dancing, youth advice, luncheon club, karate group and a youth club. Rebecca Taylor, centre manager, said: "Revamping the centre is something that we have wanted to do for a long time but have never had the resources. This is a great initiative and we are thrilled that the Mayor has chosen the Leigh Centre as his project. We are sure the finished results will speak for themselves." Pictured (left to right): Eddie Hindley (probation officer), Rebecca Taylor (Toc H), Peter Sedon (Manchester Probation Service) and John O'Brien (Mayor of Wigan). |  |