Teens get the chance to clean up their acts ... and streets (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Teens get the chance to clean up their acts ... and streets

7:30am Wednesday 4th November 2009

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TROUBLESOME teenagers have been making amends by cleaning up Halton’s streets.

They have been litter picking, removing graffiti, gardening, tidying and painting to pay back for their bad behaviour.

Steve Cheetham, Halton Council’s reparation worker, said: “All of these young people have been in some form of trouble either in their home, at school, in their local community or with the police.

“We firmly believe that helping the young people take responsibility for their actions brings a sense of ownership, responsibility and pride to their local environments.

“We are very proud of them.”

The projects were part of the Community Space Challenge, funded by the National Lottery and aimed at young people who are at risk of offending.

Youngsters have to plan, organise and evaluate the entire project they get involved in.

Many of their parents said they noticed a huge difference in their children’s behaviour..

The youngsters have pledged to continue the project after school and go on to do an accreditation in environmental studies.

The aim of the challenge is to tackle rundown, untidy, neglected spaces in our community and stimulate children showing signs of anti-social behaviour to take ownership and clean them up.

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