Revamp for church room (From Messenger Newspapers)

Offenders on Community Payback help Altrincham Methodist Church

12:10pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in Altrincham

OFFENDERS carrying out unpaid work have redecorated a popular community room at Altrincham Methodist Church.

The church, in Barrington Road, is used by worshippers and a plethora of community groups throughout the week.

A total of 24 offenders have painted one of the main rooms used by the community as well as the church, and re-decorated the toilets adjacent to the worship area. Community Payback is a punishment for breaking the law, supervised and enforced by Greater Manchester Probation Trust.

The work has taken four days to complete and has greatly impressed Graham Jackson, a member of the church’s property team. Mr Jackson said: “We are all thrilled by the work, the comments I’ve received from members of the church have been nothing but positive about the way in which the offenders conducted themselves and the standard of their work.

“I am very impressed and am extremely keen to invite the team back to do more work at a future date. One of our key aims at the church is for it to be used by people from across the town during the week, and there are a great many groups who will benefit from the improved facilities we now have to offer.”

The church is used by, among others, parents and tots, disabled groups, luncheon clubs, Boy’s Brigade, brownies and guides, a choral society and a senior citizens ballroom dancing group.

Mr Jackson said: “I think it’s very important to give people a second chance. The Church preaches forgiveness, and by giving these people a chance to pay back something in the community for their mistakes, we can see this in action.”