

What we do > Community Payback

Community Payback - how to get involved

Over 8 million hours of Community Payback are completed every year by offenders on community sentences. In West Mercia we provide over 130,000 hours of free labour to local communities as offenders pay back for the crimes they have committed.

Community Payback projects range from litter removal to clearing dense undergrowth, and environmental projects through repairing and redecorating community centres or removing graffiti. Offenders usually work as part of a team, monitored by a supervisor, and will work all day with short breaks. There are also some opportunities for individual placements.

Now you can have your say on what work takes place in your local area to benefit your community.

To be considered your project must meet the following criteria:

It must benefit the local community
It must not take paid work away from others
No one must make a profit from the work
It must be challenging and demanding
It must be worthwhile and constructive
Offenders must be seen to be putting something back into the community.

Your local Community Payback team will assess the project for suitability and for health and safety implications.

Anyone can nominate a project, so, if you are an individual, member of a club, community group, faith group or voluntary organisation and have a project that fits the criteria above, please complete the suggest a project form or call your local probation office and speak to the Community Payback team.

Hereford: 01432 272521
Kidderminster: 01562 820071
Redditch: 01527 585152
Shrewsbury: 01743 231525
Telford: 01952 214100
Worcester: 01905 723591

Alternatively you can email your suggestions to: head.office@west-mercia.probation.gsi.gov.uk

>> Suggest a project

Local Project Examples

Furniture Projects
We have several furniture projects in the area. Donated furniture is collected and distributed to those on low incomes and benefits. Offenders work in the warehouse and on collections and deliveries.

Churchyard Maintenance
We work at numerous churches around West Mercia maintaining the churchyards.

Community Centres and Parish Halls
Painting, decorating and ground maintenance work is carried out at community centres and parish halls across the area.

Land and Footpath Clearance
Land and footpath clearance projects are undertaken across West Mercia.

Local Councils and Countryside Centres
We work with several local councils helping out with street maintenance and at countryside sites. Work may involve clearing paths, trimming hedges, painting fences and benches and looking after signage.

Charity Shops
We work at many charity shops across the area. Offenders sort and tag stock and serve customers.

National Trust and Small Woods Association
We work at the National Trust’s Brockhampton Estate, near Bromyard and at the Small Woods Association’s Greenwood Trust in Ironbridge where offenders carry out coppicing, path clearance and the creation of woodland walks.


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