Information on Loughborough

'Wood' you be able to help?

Posted on 30/01/2010

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

11 January 2010

'Wood' you be able to help?

An appeal for wood and fabric has been made so young offenders can learn new skills and give back to the community by raising money for charity.

As part of reparation schemes, some of the county’s young offenders work at the Leicestershire Youth Offending Service’s (YOS) workshop in South Wigston to create items such as bird boxes, bird tables, bug boxes, trugs, planters and other small items made to order.

A new scheme has also been set up in Hinckley where they spend time producing a range of shopping, boot, shoe, peg and umbrella bags as part of a reparation order. The items are then sold at events such as open days, community events and fetes, with the proceeds going to local charities such as Loros and Rainbows.

However, the projects are now appealing for businesses to donate suitable wood and fabric so youngsters can continue to develop their skills and raise money for good causes.

Byron Rhodes, Deputy Leader of Leicestershire County Council and Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “These workshops enable young people to develop some useful skills. They also make a valuable donation to charities close to people’s hearts through the items they produce.

“However, these workshops rely on donations of wood and fabric. If you or your business have some you don’t need, and you think it might be suitable, YOS would love to hear from you.”

The carpentry workshop is just one of a number of community reparation schemes organised by Leicestershire YOS which aim to repair the effects of crime on communities. They enable a young person aged between 10-18 to make a positive contribution to their community as a consequence of the offence they have committed.

Reparation work undertaken by young offenders in the county includes painting fences, removing graffiti, working in charity shops and helping out in animal sanctuaries. The work helps young people understand that others have been affected by their crime and provides an opportunity to make amends.

If you have some wood or fabric you think may be suitable, please call Maroot Patel on 0116 2606000 or email: maroot.patel@leics.gov.uk

For more information about Leicestershire Youth Offending Service visit: www.leics.gov.uk/youthjustice

Notes:

A trug is a hand held gardening container