The Probation Area has four bases in Nottingham city, Mansfield, Newark and Worksop. The work includes long term schemes that provide weekly assignments as well as projects that are completed in a few weeks.

The 'grot-spot' clean-ups have proved popular which has enabled the Unpaid Work unit to include offenders managed by the Youth Offending Team to collect litter.

The Unpaid Work unit has partnerships that enable teams of offenders to work on an allotment project with the Wildlife Trust and on other conservation sites.

The Probation Area has also set up a special scheme with the local Police that enable teams of offenders to renovate and repair old and broken pedal bikes in the city-based workshop.

Every year the Police retrieve hundreds of bikes that have been stolen and then discarded. The renovated bikes are given to community-groups or are donated to individuals when a particular story appears in the newspapers. E.g. 'heartless thieves steal paperboy's bike!'

PROJECT REVIEW: CANYONS REDEEMED
Instead of attracting wildlife the Canyons nature reserve in Eastwood had become the favourite stalking ground for local gangs who were causing problems with their anti-social behaviour. Once upon a time Eastwood's famous son, the author DH Lawrence, had described the landscape around his home as 'The Country of my Heart.' A clean-up campaign was launched after Broxtowe Borough Council provided the funding for materials. Supervised groups cleared overgrown shrubbery that had provided a screen for drug users, as well as cleaning out the pond; cutting back hedges; redefining pathways; repairing fencing and clearing away litter. The logs that were dragged from the pond were later cut up and have been used by local people for firewood. The next stage of the project involves overhauling the steps that lead into the nature reserve. Councillor Milan Radulovic, Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said: "This is an excellent scheme which ensures that offenders give something back to the community and are offered help and support in getting into work."

PROJECT REVIEW: NEW LEASE OF LIFE
Rainworth's Village Hall is getting a new lease of life after the building was damaged by fire. The Unpaid Work teams are painting and decorating the inside of the hall as well as landscaping the area around the site.

The next stage will be to renovate the children's play area, and strip and paint the railings before the venue officially re-opens in the summer. The work enables offenders to work towards nationally recognised Vocational Skills Certificates in partnership with New College, Nottingham.

PROJECT REVIEW: TEVERSAL TRAILS VISITOR CENTRE
Supervised offenders are playing a key role in the day to day running of the Teversal Trails Visitor Centre in Ashfield. The area is popular with local people and visiting walkers.

The Unpaid Work teams undertake general maintenance of the centre and grounds as well as working in the café, operating the till and helping to prepare food.

One regular customer of the Teversal Trails Visitor Centre said: "The offenders have committed crimes, but they are now making a positive impact on a community project that needs their help."