Tens of public sector strikers left the picket lines to lend a helping hand at a charity in Edgware today.

Around 140 Barnet Council staff went on strike with dozens joining protests at North London Business Park and Mill Hill Depot in a desperate attempt to stop Barnet Council’s plans to outsource staff to private companies.

But in a bid to show their commitment to working for people living in Barnet, more than 30 Unison members visited Larches Community in Rectory Lane to help decorate the centre which is used by between 90 to 120 people with learning disabilities and autism each week.

The team painted the reception area, offices, toilets and kitchen as well as helping to sort old stamps which the charity sells to help fund its services.

John Burgess, Barnet Unison branch secretary said: "We wanted to protest about Barnet’s plans to outsource services because we think it’s outrageous, but we also wanted to make use of the day and show we are committed to the community.

“Most people work in the public sector because they want to work for the community – they don’t want to work in the private sector.”

Linda Edwards, Larches chief executive, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic they are helping out. We always try to make our surroundings homely for our learners so a coat of paint is great - it's going to brighten the place up.”

Speaking about the outsourcing plans, she said: “While this is affecting the strikers it’s my belief it will affect every resident in Barnet.

“In particular I’m concerned about the elderly, carers, people with learning disabilities and autism and other vulnerable people who will receive an even worse service than they receive at the moment.”

Unison says the controversial One Barnet programme could see 70 per cent of staff losing their jobs and argues council bosses want to reduce the authority's workforce to just a few hundred commissioning staff.

Mr Burgess said: “If services are outsourced outside the borough, workers won’t be able to get there and so they will face redundancy. We could be looking at 600 to 700 redundancies.”

Cabinet agreed to outsource its parking enforcement services to a private company called NSL Limited last December, meaning back office staff are being forced to relocate to Croydon on April 1.

Andrew Pereira and Michael Cheung both work in the parking department and are unhappy about the changes.

Mr Pereira, who lives in Barnet, said: “It’s nice to be at Larches today to do something positive for the community. I truly believe council services should remain in-house provided by people who live or work in the borough. It’s going to take about two hours and cost around £2,000 more to get to Croydon.

Mr Cheung added: “I actually left my last job specifically to work locally. My primary concern is my daughter and having to move to Croydon is not going to be practical – I think my family life will suffer.”

Councillor Daniel Thomas, deputy leader and cabinet member for policy and performance, said: "As I've said before we are committed to providing high quality services at the lowest possible cost to the council tax payer.

"Any staff who move as part of the restructure will remain in the local government pension scheme, keep the same level of pay and have a job guaranteed for 12 months at the very least from their move.

"I'm sure many of our residents would envy that level of certainty in the current financial climate."