If you would like to nominate a local community payback project, please complete the nomination form or call Northamptonshire probation Trust on: 01604 658034

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

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.

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

Once the work has been completed, a plaque will be displayed with the Community Payback logo, if appropriate. This will indicate where offenders have positively contributed to improving a neighbourhood area.

An individual can receive between 40 to 300 hours of Unpaid Work, to be completed normally within a 12 months period. The type of work undertaken by individuals on an Unpaid Work community order can include;

• Painting and decorating
• Landscaping
• Graffiti removal
• Environmental Improvements
• Fencing & Grounds maintenance
• Improvements to community facilities
• Portable appliance testing
• Working with & behalf of charities i.e. Oxfam – British Heart Foundation - MIND

During the financial year of April 2009 to March 2010 a total of 1316 Unpaid Work Community Orders were made through the courts in Northamptonshire. This resulted in 119748 hours of Unpaid Work carried out by offenders throughout the County on a variety of community based projects. From a value for money perspective this equates to £694,538 worth of work having been undertaken on behalf of the communities of Northamptonshire. This value has been calculated at the minimum wage rate of £5.80 for 2009.