Goulburn Community Corrections offenders help injured wildlife

Goulburn Community Corrections manager Renee Covington said the community service work team had partnered with WIRES, Vinnies, retirement villages and schools on a variety of positive projects.

"Community service work is an opportunity to harness people's skills and channel that into projects that provide a direct benefit to the Goulburn community," Ms Covington said.

"Offenders are sewing cotton pouches for orphaned joeys and injured possums, as well as cutting old t-shirts from Vinnies into strips and recycling them into dog chew-toys for the shop to sell.

"Working with not-for-profits and other community groups often gives offenders a great sense of pride knowing they're giving back to organisations that often don't have the time or volunteers to do the work themselves."

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The group currently knits blankets for retirement villages and nursing homes, beanies for people who experience homelessness and small teddy bears for disadvantaged children. They also cover library books and make flash cards for school children.

In addition, over the past six months the offenders have started to sew and repair support straps for the Rural Fire Service.

Ms Covington said helping others fostered a sense of community and pride for people who may never have experienced that before.

"Often people who go through the court process feel detached from society," she said.

"Doing an act that is valued and needed creates a sense of belonging and achievement.

"You're less likely to offend against a community that accepts and values you."

She said many offenders experienced depression, mental health and substance addiction issues, and the program often allowed them to feel pride in themselves for the fist time in their lives.

"Community is not just about the people who contribute financially and positively every moment of the day," she said.

"Their contribution can't be measured. At the end of the day everybody makes mistakes.

"Showing people kindness is invaluable."

Community Service organiser Renee Woodberry said many offenders received a confidence boost by learning new skills during the program.

"Not everyone knows how to knit and we had one woman who had never attempted and wasn't very confident initially," Ms Woodberry said.

"We worked with her and now this same woman consistently produces more than 10 bears a week - knitting has become her hobby at home.

"All of our offenders really take pride in their work and what they produce is high-quality. Before they complete their work orders they pass their skills onto others, ensuring new offenders can continue contributing to these community partnerships."

Goulburn Community Corrections has returned about 2360 work hours to the local community since January 2021.

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