Whiteness and Weisdale Hall benefits from Community Payback

The interior of the Whiteness and Weisdale Hall has been repainted by offenders carrying out community service.

The efforts of the Community Payback unpaid workers helped contribute to an overall refurbishment of the building in its 40th year.

The hall committee is pleased with the work that has seen the main hall, bar area, toilets, stage and ceiling completely repainted and tiles regrouted.

Exterior painting was also included and over 1,300 unpaid work hours have been completed since work began last November.

Shona Slater of the hall committee said: “The Whiteness and Weisdale Hall has served the local community well for many years and we were keen to revamp the building for our 40th anniversary.

“We’re very pleased with the end result delivered by the Community Payback team and the standard of the work is excellent.”

SIC convener Malcolm Bell, a representative on the Northern Criminal Justice Authority, said: “This is a good example of how Community Payback Orders provide a public benefit to our communities.

“Most importantly, we obviously also hope that this direct alternative to prison will also bring benefit by reducing reoffending.”