•    Outdoor workers and gardening professionals are being encouraged to consider justice roles, as new poll finds that more than three quarters of those who plan to make career change want a role that makes a positive difference to others 
•    Deputy Prime Minister urges jobseekers to "help keep Britain safe" as new TV adverts launch to promote probation roles  
•    A career in Community Payback offers interesting roles and a wealth of opportunities with salaries starting at £25,000. Find out more here  
 
New polling commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reveals that more than one in three (39%) adults in England and Wales plan to change jobs in the next 12 months. Of those seeking a change, 78% want a role that makes small differences in people's lives that add up to a positive change in the community. Phil Golding is one of the people who has already made that change. 
 
Phil, 55, spent 20 years working in garden retail, managing teams, advising customers, and building up practical horticultural knowledge on everything from plant care to seasonal maintenance. 
 
Now, Phil leads groups of offenders on practical horticultural and grounds-maintenance projects across Hampshire - from hedge cutting, clearance and pruning to restoring neglected green spaces and supporting landscaping work that makes parks safer and more welcoming for local residents. 
 
He said: 
"I'd been in my old job for years, but I wanted something more meaningful. Working in the garden centre, I loved being hands-on – whether that was advising customers or leading a team through a busy weekend. I realised those same skills – leadership, communication, working with people from all walks of life – were exactly what this role needed." 
 
"There's something incredibly grounding about working outdoors. When we clear an overgrown pathway or clean up a green space, you can see the difference immediately not just for the community, but for the people I'm supervising. Many of them have never had the chance to learn practical skills or work as part of a team." 
 
Phil's horticultural background has become one of his greatest assets in the role. 
 
"I get to pass on knowledge I've built up over years – how to prune properly, tell them about certain plants and trees, other practical skills they could use going forward. It’s satisfying in that respect; it’s not just about doing the job but sharing expertise which can help them grow." 
 
Roles in Community Payback particularly suit people with backgrounds in gardening, landscaping, conservation, construction, or outdoor retail, where practical skills and people management go hand in hand. 
 
There's no such thing as a typical Community Payback Supervisor or Placement Coordinator. Those who join will work directly with people on Community Payback – helping to protect the public, reduce reoffending, and make a real difference in the community. From leading teams on outdoor conservation projects to hands-on landscaping and green space restoration, it's a role where no two days are the same. 
 
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said: 
 
"People across the country are looking for more than just a pay packet – they want purpose. In our prisons and probation service, that purpose is clear: helping people rebuild their lives, reducing reoffending and making our communities safer. 
 
"Every day, prison and probation officers perform some of the most vital – and often most overlooked – work in Britain. They give people a second chance and help stop others becoming victims in the first place. 
 
"So if you're searching for a new direction this year, I'd urge you to consider one of these extraordinary careers. You'll be making a real difference where it matters most." 
 
The Probation Service is looking for new recruits across Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire who have strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and a genuine passion for helping others. If that sounds like you, find out more and apply.