Offenders join care home residents to brighten up local park

Residents from a local care home have played a key role in helping to improve a local park alongside offenders completing community payback.

As part of the latest Immediate Justice Day of Action, residents from the Rivendell View Care Home in Gedling donated handmade bird boxes, which will soon be placed around Jubilee Park in Gedling to help support local wildlife.

Their visit was part of a wider community effort to improve the much-loved green space, which also saw offenders carrying out litter picking, hedge trimming, and general maintenance to keep the park looking its best.

The day brought together a range of partners, including Nottinghamshire Police and Gedling Borough Council, who engaged with residents through an information stall inside the park’s pavilion, giving members of the public the opportunity to learn more about local policing and community safety initiatives.

Gedling Borough Council also donated two trees, which were planted by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Angela Kandola and Councillor Lynda Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Place.

Councillor Pearson, who has been heavily involved with the Friends of Jubilee Park, has long championed improvements to the park for all to enjoy.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Angela Kandola said: “Immediate Justice is about ensuring that those responsible for antisocial behaviour and low-level crime give back to the very communities they have impacted.

“Seeing care home residents and young people engaged in this project alongside offenders demonstrates how this scheme can bring communities together in a positive way.

“Jubilee Park is a valued space, and these contributions will leave a lasting impact for all who visit.”

Nottinghamshire is leading the way in Immediate Justice, ensuring that those responsible for antisocial behaviour and low-level crime take immediate action to repair the harm they have caused.

Since its launch, the scheme has seen offenders complete thousands of hours of visible, reparative work in local communities, directly benefitting residents, businesses, and public spaces across the city and county.

Projects have included litter-picking, graffiti removal, park maintenance, and community clean-ups, helping to improve local environments while ensuring offenders understand the consequences of their actions.

Councillor Lynda Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Place at Gedling Borough Council said: "We are proud to support the Immediate Justice scheme, which is making a real difference in our communities by improving public spaces while holding offenders accountable for their actions.

“Jubilee Park is a popular green space, and initiatives like this not only contribute to the park’s upkeep but also bring residents together in a positive way.

“It’s fantastic to see care home residents, community groups, and partners working alongside each other to make a lasting impact. We look forward to seeing more projects like this benefit our borough.”

The scheme has also received positive feedback from the public, with many residents welcoming the opportunity to see justice being carried out in a way that provides real, visible benefits to their neighbourhoods.

The success of Immediate Justice in Nottinghamshire is underpinned by strong partnership working between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Police, local councils, and community organisations.

The programme is set to continue delivering meaningful, restorative work in key areas across the city and county, with further Days of Action planned for the months ahead.

Inspector Heather Harding, neighbourhood policing inspector for Gedling, said: “Engagement with communities is a vital part of neighbourhood policing so this was a great opportunity for my officers.

“We were able to speak to residents about the policing issues which matter to them and discuss what we are doing to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area.

“The park is a much-loved green space and it was great to see it being improved through the Immediate Justice scheme and the efforts of care home residents.”

Immediate Justice is a key part of Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden’s wider efforts to reduce antisocial behaviour and promote visible justice, ensuring that offenders make a meaningful contribution to the communities they have affected.

By carrying out practical, restorative work such as that seen at Jubilee Park, the scheme helps to improve public spaces while encouraging personal responsibility and positive change.

Red Snapper Managed Services Director Jonathan Hussey said: “Immediate Justice is about making a real difference—not just for the communities impacted by antisocial behaviour, but also for those taking part in these projects.

“By working alongside care home residents and community groups, offenders see firsthand the value of giving back and the positive impact of their actions.

“At RSMS, we are proud to be delivering a programme that not only enhances local spaces like Jubilee Park but also fosters a sense of personal responsibility and community spirit.”

To report antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhood, call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or visit the web page linked below to report.

Report antisocial behaviour | Nottinghamshire Police

In an emergency, you should always call 999.