Community Sentences

Unpaid Work must:

• Never replace paid employment.
• Provide a clear benefit to an individual, community group, or non‑profit organisation.
• Be safe, match the skills of staff and service users, and be achievable within the required timeframe.

What happens when someone receives a CPO with Unpaid Work?

They will attend an induction, where staff discuss what type of work they will do and when it will take place.

Types of Unpaid Work in East Lothian

People may take part in activities such as:

• Individual placements, e.g. with council teams in parks, cemeteries, or golf courses
• Charity shop work
• Social enterprises
• Third‑sector / voluntary organisations
• Supervised community work, including:
  • Grounds maintenance or clearance
  • Path creation or maintenance
  • Garden upgrades
  • Environmental improvements in schools
  • Bike repair and recycling
  • Supporting the Council’s Countryside Rangers or Tenancy Support services
  • Painting inside or outside community buildings

We also work with The Big Pick, running clothing sales to reduce textile poverty in East Lothian. Money raised goes to local charities.
 

Share your ideas or feedback

Have you see any of the work carried out by the Community Payback Team?  

Do you have a job or task doing that the Community Payback team could support with. 

Please use the email link below to get in touch to:

• Suggest new unpaid work or activity projects within your local community 
• Give feedback on current or completed projects
• Ask how we help people reduce offending behaviour

email Justice Social Work 
 

Note on materials required for requested unpaid work activities

Please note, that  while the labour is free, any specific materials needed to carry out requested unpaid work activities must be paid for by the person or organisation requesting the work.