Offenders dig in to help revamp park

Offenders carrying out Community Payback plant a range of flowers in Springfield Park

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Offenders have been turning over a new leaf thanks to a project being carried out in Springfield Park that will soon be taking root.

The park has a huge herbaceous border surrounding the children’s play area and tennis courts which is tangled up with weeds.

The Friends of Springfield Park and green volunteers have been working to transform the border into a flourishing floral display over a four-year period.

In order to help them complete the scheme, offenders carrying out Community Payback have planted a range of flowers. The members of the community payback group are completing a horticultural course run by Manchester College as part of the scheme, and they will be working on the display on a regular basis over the coming months.

Craig Sykes, a Community Payback Officer for Greater Manchester Probation Trust (GMPT), said: “I am delighted that offenders will be improving an area that people using the park have identified as needing attention. It will be hard work, and offenders will be giving back to the community against which they broken the law in a very real way.
"Community Payback is not just punishment – participants are gaining skills that will help reduce the risk of re-offending.”

Councillor Jacquie Beswick, Cabinet Member for Parks and Countryside at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This project is a fantastic example of partner agencies working together to deliver something of real benefit to the people of Rochdale.

"The area was a mess. It has already been improved beyond recognition thanks to the friends of Springfield Park and the green volunteers and the community payback scheme will help bring it to completion.

“Crucially, these offenders will also be learning valuable skills which may help them get a job, benefitting them and the wider community.”