Community praise for John

Community praise for John

16 October 2013

A COMMUNITY service supervisor has been recognised for 18 years of toil at the Downshire Hospital’s Victorian Garden.

John Burrows was thanked by both the Probation Board (PBNI) and the South Eastern Trust at a ceremony on Thursday.

Offenders on Community Service supervised by John regularly work at the picturesque garden, which was planted at the turn of the century by a former medical superintendent of the Downshire Hospital.

The authentic Victorian garden has been restored in recent years and is complete with a tiny low level maze, a summerhouse, sundial and croquet lawn.

Recently in the NI Amenity Council’s Best Kept Awards, the Victorian Garden was the runner up in the Best Kept Day-Care Facility category.

John explained the type of work typically carried out on Community Service.

“We supervise offenders who work on a range of projects including environmental clean ups, painting and decorating premises used by community groups, grass cutting and general maintenance,” he said. “Probation in the Downpatrick area works in partnership with the community and voluntary sectors to provide placements for Community Service.”

Acknowledging the work done by John and the Community Service team at the Downshire, Clare McCawley, Garden Manager at the Trust, said: “It makes a positive difference to our grounds and buildings. I am very grateful for the assistance and I look forward to continuing our partnership with PBNI in the future.”

PBNI Area Manager, Christine Hunter, added: “Community Service is one of the most successful court sentences in terms of preventing re-offending. Offenders who carry out this unpaid work are able to give something back to communities, make reparation for the crimes they have committed and develop skills they can use in the future which will prevent them continuing in a cycle of crime.

“Three out of four people who complete community service do not re-offend in one year.”

To enquire if a project is suitable for Community Service visit www.pbni.org.uk and fill in the online nomination form, or telephone 028 9064 7156 and talk to a PBNI Community Service Manager.