Innovative unpaid work initiatives in North Lanarkshire are providing school children with practical experiences in farming. These programs allow young people from local schools to visit community allotments, where they engage in hands-on activities supported by individuals completing Community Payback Orders. This initiative is managed by the Restorative Justice Team, which oversees these projects to ensure they deliver benefits to the community.
Recently, students returned to the Clydeside Project to witness the results of their earlier labor. Equipped with tote bags crafted by unpaid workers, they harvested tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, and green beans. On another occasion, a Halloween-themed event enabled children to pick pumpkins, participate in art activities, and create woollen ghosts. The visits also introduced them to a flock of 32 chickens, rescued from the Wing and a Prayer charity, which are now healthy and providing fresh eggs to the local community.
The work squads involved in these projects carry out diverse tasks including building maintenance, livestock care, fencing repairs, landscaping, and planting. Although squad members do not attend school events, they play a crucial role in planning and preparing for these activities. They discuss the outcomes of events and collaborate on ideas for future community engagements.
Siobhan Hughes, Senior Education and Families Manager of Justice Services in North Lanarkshire, emphasized the positive impact of the Clydeside Project. She stated, “The unpaid work activities at this project allow individuals to give back to their communities while gaining new skills. Their efforts directly enhance educational visits and open days, creating rewarding experiences for everyone.” She expressed excitement for future events, highlighting that this project is just one of many unpaid work activities in the region.
Individuals sentenced to Community Payback Orders are assigned a specific number of hours to complete, focusing on community reparation and tangible benefits. In addition, participants are encouraged to develop interpersonal, educational, and vocational skills that address the underlying causes of their offenses. Since their introduction in 2011, over 11.6 million hours of unpaid work have been completed across Scotland, significantly contributing to local communities.
Management and supervision of unpaid work are handled by local justice social work departments. Gemma Fraser, Head of Insights and Intelligence at Community Justice Scotland, remarked on the effectiveness of these programs. She noted, “Unpaid work as part of a Community Payback Order is a much more person-focused approach to give back to the community where offending has happened compared to other sentencing options. Most of the people will deliver the unpaid work in the community they live in, across a wide range of projects identified by the communities themselves.”
The projects not only provide valuable services but also help participants gain skills and foster a sense of responsibility towards their community. With a robust framework in place, the Restorative Justice Team continues to innovate and expand opportunities for community engagement through these unpaid work initiatives.
