Payback scheme putting offenders back on track wins national praise

Bede’s World in Church Bank, Jarrow, has been working with the National Probation Trust for a number of years.

The charity provides placements to those ordered to carry out unpaid work as punishment after being convicted for a crime by the courts.

The project has now been praised in a national report into the delivery of unpaid work.

Work undertaken on the site includes grounds maintenance, reception duties, food handling, hospitality and customer service.

Since, the charity has linked up with the trust, at least one person who took part in the scheme has gone on to secure full-time employment at Bede’s World after completing their order.

Inspectors from the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate have praised the work placements following a visit, describing it being “of a very high quality”.

Mike Benson, director at Bede’s World, has also praised the work.

He said: “We’ve had a number of people carry out their community payback at the museum and the work they have done has been really impressive. We hope they are getting as much out of the work they are doing here as we are.”