Young Offenders Help Maintain Tarka Trail

The Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service (NDCCS) is a partnership organisation hosted by Devon County Council working for the rural environment in Northern Devon. Young offenders have been helping NDCCS to safeguard the special character of this beautiful area by carrying out maintenance work along the Tarka Trail.

One group of young offenders has been scrub bashing, painting and carrying out low level maintenance along the Tarka Trail, while a second group are more involved with in-depth maintenance work putting up fences and building 'kissing' gates.

"The young offenders have learnt new skills and get a lot out of the projects," says Martin Caddy, who looks after recreational facilities for NDCCS. "We provide venues and jobs for the young offenders that are often on rural sites. This means the young offenders have to look to their supervisor for advice and guidance which encourages dialogue and interaction."

Youth reparation work involves young people aged 10-17 years and is about involving them in something they understand which will make up for the harm they have caused. "We look at the community the young person has affected and make their payback as relevant as possible to that community," says Ameet Nathwani, Reparation Organiser at the Youth Offending Team. "It's also important for young people to take responsibility for what they have done and to realise that the work they are doing makes a difference."

The NDCCS has a limited budget so the youth offenders provide much needed extra labour for the small jobs that need doing. In doing so, they find out about their environment, learn new skills and gain confidence. The work also benefits the local community who can see that someone is working on the Tarka Trail to maintain it, which in turn encourages the local community to look after it too.

"Reparation is a good thing and it's been amazing having the youngsters helping," says Martin Caddy, Recreational Facilities Manager. "Our support gives them a chance to work hard and to make amends for the mistakes they have made. Involving people in our work from all community sectors helps them understand what we do and why and means they are more motivated to look after and respect the local environment."

Safer North Devon has been working with Barnstaple Youth Offending Team over the last ten years to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. "Working together means we can provide better solutions for our young people and the communities in which they live. Reparation and community payback is a vital project locally and needs wide community support and involvement to ensure we remain a safe place to live, work and visit," says Amanda Palmer, Safer North Devon Manager.

For more information contact: Ameet Nathwani, Barnstaple Youth Offending Team on telephone: 01271 388150.