Community payback clears the way for Moss Side garden
12 February 2010
Community payback teams are helping to create a woodland garden at The Moss Side Adventure Playground.
Teams of offenders, under the
supervision of Greater Manchester Probation Trust, have been working at
the playground to clear the garden and make way for new planting.
The idea of community payback is that convicted criminals, who are given community sentences, do high profile work that benefits local people. They have been carrying out heavy work to clear over grown bushes and shrubs in the garden of the playground on Whitnall Close in Moss Side.
The Moss Side Adventure Playground provides holiday and after-school activities for youngsters aged between five and 14. They are planning to create a woodland garden as part of a scheme to encourage young people to take an interest in their local environment.
Lee Ann Igbon from the Playground said: "We're working with young people to encourage them to take part in their community and take an interest in their local environment. We want to help them to learn about gardening and try to instill a sense of responsibility for their local community.
"We're delighted the community payback team is able to clear the ground so we can get on with the planting."
Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Paul Andrews said: "This is an ideal opportunity for offenders to give something back to society. The Adventure Playground is an excellent scheme and this work will help to improve the facilities for young people in Moss Side."
Steve O'Neill, Community Payback Manager said: "We are extremely pleased to be involved in this project. Community Payback is primarily about offenders repaying society as punishment for crimes committed. However, it is important that we have such stimulating projects, so that the offenders can appreciate that they are making a difference that lasts for years to come."
