Harnessing History at Wormwood Scrubs: Shire Horses in Conservation
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idverde provides a wide range of green services, including grounds maintenance, landscape creation, and advice services, to both private and public sectors across the UK.
04 June 2025
Reparation Placements for the Youth Justice Service in Wiltshire
idverde, in partnership with Wiltshire Council, is proud to announce the continuation of its collaboration with the Youth Justice Service (YJS) in Wiltshire, now entering its second year. This partnership enables young people to engage in reparation work at various locations throughout Wiltshire. Since the project’s inception in March 2024, all 12 participating locations have been highly supportive, recognising the mutual benefits of this initiative. To date, 24 young people have participated, each committing to sessions lasting around two hours.
We are excited to announce the addition of two new venues that have agreed to support YJS participants in completing their reparation sessions. The first is F3 Garden at Bemerton Heath Estate, Salisbury. F3 stands for Free Fresh Food, and in January 2025, they acquired a second plot behind St Michael’s Church and Community Centre on Bemerton Heath. This new site, adjacent to the Community Café and fridge, ensures zero food miles as crops grown on-site will supply the café.
The second new venue is Chafyn Grove School in Salisbury, which supplies The Salisbury Pantry with free fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers. The Pantry supports those affected by the cost-of-living crisis. For more information on these sites, please visit www.thef3project.org/.
Additionally, Castlefields Canal & River Park Association (CARP) in Calne, just a short walk from the town centre, offers a valuable community space for recreation and leisure activities. Established in 2001 as a charitable association, CARP brings together professionals and volunteers to maintain and improve the park, as well as organise community events. Monthly ‘work parties’ are held where volunteers assist with various projects and maintenance tasks. For more information, please visit www.castlefieldscarp.org/.
Reparation
Reparation can be direct, repairing harm caused to the victim of an offence, or indirect, giving back to the local community. The aim is that through reparation activities, young people may develop interests or skills that enhance their future prospects, potentially leading to further training or work placements.
Reparation Process
Young people are consulted by their case worker about the types of activities they can participate in, considering medical, religious, and exclusion zones. All sites and activities are fully risk assessed, and efforts are made to match young people with suitable tasks and locations. Case workers inform young people of the date and meeting point for their reparation activity. They are then transported by a Wiltshire Youth Offending Service worker to various sites around the county.
To date, over 24 young people have carried out tasks such as hedge cutting, weeding, and leaf collection in public areas. We are currently working with around 14 locations offering reparation opportunities and welcome suggestions from the public or organisations. Please contact us here.
Paul Ashman, idverde’s Community Engagement Manager for Wiltshire Council, commented: "We are pleased to support the young people from the Youth Justice Service and the locations offering sessions. This partnership benefits all parties, bringing young people closer to nature through work at various locations. The supportive locations benefit from the extra pairs of hands that community reparation provides."
