|
UNPAID WORK DELIVERING RESULTS TO URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES |
|
|
|
|
TEAMS of supervised offenders have been working in the 14 acre gardens at Launde Abbey, a residential retreat house on the rural border between Leicestershire and Rutland.For the last 18 months the men and women on Probation have undertaken ground clearance work and general gardening in the grounds of the Tudor house that dates mainly to the 16th century. There is also a 13th century chapel, which was part of the original Augustinian Priory Church.
Offenders can be ordered by the courts to undertake between 40 and 300 hours of Unpaid Work as one of the 12 requirements in the Community Order. In the past this sentence has been called Community Service or, more recently, Community Punishment. In Leicestershire and Rutland supervised men and women completed more than 160,000 hours of unpaid reparation work in a 12 month period for local charities, schools, church trusts, faith groups and Local Authorities.Warden Tim Blewett, explained that Launde Abbey promotes itself for people of faith and for those who do not follow religious teachings, but are seeking a quiet place for reflection to find new purpose in their lives.Sean Reynolds, Assistant Chief Officer with Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust, said: “We are delighted at how this on-going project is progressing. It is essential that our range of work covers both urban and rural projects. We provide supervised teams to work at a number of religious sites and it is important to provide programmes of work that are meaningful and worthwhile.”Tim Blewett added: “The work undertaken is of real benefit to Launde Abbey and our community is delighted to be able to support the work of the Probation Service, and to help individuals to feel valued again by society and reach their true potential as individuals.”Every year up to 20,000 people visit Launde Abbey either as residential guests or as day visitors.PRESS INTERVIEWS:Warden Tim Blewett on 01572 717254. www.launde.org.ukLeicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust, ACO Sean Reynolds on 0116 251 6008Communications Officer Fiona Buchanan on 07711 160685.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 August 2008 )
|
