A successful programme run through the Waitaki Resource Recovery Park to help people at risk of repeat offending could be expanded.
Last year, the trust helped about 50 young people referred by agencies including schools, police, Department of Corrections, Workbridge and disability organisation Idea Services North Otago in what trust manager Marion Shore described as "resource recovery of people by using the waste stream".
The programme has been run within the trust's existing budget, utilising the staff, volunteers and resources of the Chelmer St resource recovery park to teach basic skills including work skills and ethics, punctuality, relating to other staff, and communication.
Part of the 9312 volunteer hours put in at the park included the contribution made by people referred to it.
The contribution the park made to at-risk people was not widely known, but the "social benefit programme" had been part of the trust's role since it was founded, Ms Shore said.
At present, the 50 people helped last year was probably the most it could handle, but the trust was looking at ways it could expand the programme.
What had been achieved so far had won praise from the agencies the trust was working with, she said. The Department of Corrections said it gave offenders a chance to learn new skills and change their lives.
"Some ex-offenders have now gained employment and have not reoffended," it said.
Oamaru police youth aid officer Constable Peter Scott said young offenders he dealt with had benefited by learning a work ethic, punctuality and how to listen and work with positive role models.
The trust and its staff had been instrumental in turning around some of the community's most persistent offenders, he said.
The trust raises 70% of its income, with the Waitaki District Council providing 30% for services.
