A group of small churches in Norfolk has teamed up with a statutory scheme that aims to keep young people out of the criminal justice system.
The four congregations that make up the Norwich Area 51视频 Mission Partnership are teaming up with Norfolk Youth Justice Service (NYJS) to receive practical around their buildings and for community events.
NYJS works with children to help prevent them re-offending and to repair the damage they have caused to their victims. It operates throughout England and Wales under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice.
When the Revd Tina Wilson met with Paul Usher (pictured above), one of three reparation workers in Norfolk, she realised a partnership with the scheme would not only be a way to engage with important work in the area, but that her churches could themselves suggest practical projects for children to engage with.
Each church has provided a wish list of options and, together with NYJS, they will prioritise what is possible and where the work is most needed. Conversations are already happening about producing bird tables, planters and other items that can be sold as part of a planned fundraising day. Possible maintenance work has also been talked about, and support at community mornings, serving teas and coffees.
Children aged 10-18 taking part in the scheme do so voluntarily 鈥� otherwise it can鈥檛 be restorative, says Operations Manager Carla Hamilton. Restorative justice aims to help keep children out of remand centres and to repair harm done, and may include conversations between a child and their victim. Recommendations, and the duration of the reparation period, are overseen by a panel of volunteers and facilitated by a multi-agency team.
Options for reparation can be varied, says Carla. They range from making cards for a card shop to repairing bikes or clearing a churchyard. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about saying sorry 鈥� it鈥檚 about repairing harm to the community they鈥檝e offended in and recognising that their actions have had an impact.鈥�
Tina says the scheme recognises that many churches don鈥檛 have a lot of money, but that in many congregations there are needs that it can meet, from painting or window cleaning to washing up at community events.
Delighted by the opportunities already emerging from the initiative, Tina says her conversations with Paul and Carla have been 鈥渇ull of hope, shared purpose, and practical ideas for supporting young people and strengthening our churches. I鈥檓 encouraged by the possibilities ahead and look forward to building this partnership across our four churches.鈥�