Payback is a blooming success

IN the revamped garden are (back, from the left), Community Payback officer Paul Mayers, Heathside support worker Rachel Moores, Craig Jump, Ricky Diveney, supervisor Roy Biggs, Heathside manager Diane Jones, Heathside support worker Lesley Maunsell, (front, from the left) residents Karen Gallagher, Jennifer Heap and Ian Rigby

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OFFENDERS have given something back to the community by creating a stunning garden at a care centre for the disabled.

They won glowing praise for their work at Heathside Cottage in Coppice, which is home to six people with cerebral palsy or similar symptoms and is run by charity Scope.

Teams of six offenders worked for six days to clear the overgrown garden — filling several skip loads.

They will also be installing a sensory garden with items like wind chimes that blind residents will be able to enjoy.

Jean Piatczanyn, senior support manager at Heathside Cottage, said: “The work the offenders have carried out is fabulous, all we need now are more bedding plants and I’d be thrilled if someone was able to donate some to us.

“The gardens were really overgrown and we were unable to use them, and as we are a charity we were unable to pay for the work ourselves.

“I’ve been really impressed by how hard the offenders have worked and we are all delighted by the results. It means so much to our residents.

“A volunteer used to maintain the garden but it eventually became too much. I’ve never seen it looking so good and now it’s in this shape it’ll be easier to keep in order.”

Oldham’s Community Payback Unit carries out similar tasks across the town, with groups of offenders doing everything from cooking meals for the elderly through to painting and decorating.

Community Payback officer Paul Mayers said: “We will continue to help as much as we can. It has been a good experience for offenders to come here and learn more about the centre, and the project seems to have captured the imagination of everybody involved.

“I would like to especially thank Dennis Brennan, Community Payback co-ordinator for First Choice Homes, who has collected the rubbish from the site and disposed of it.”