Residents in Derby, Rugby, Milton Keynes, Coventry and Yorkshire, joined in a litter pick day in May to mark the start of a ‘Clean, green and tidy’ campaign across the region to help build community pride to improve neighbourhoods.
Launching the campaign with litter picking shows how one small thing can make a big difference and have an instant visual impact. Residents joined our Neighbourhoods team, Councils and Contractors who were all dressed for the occasion with colourful t-shirts and hats to get involved in the litter pick. Those who took part were pleased with the results of their efforts and hope it will encourage others to get involved.
“I was surprised with how much difference just arranging the bins would make...and residents seem to be putting their bags in the bins rather than at the side”
For one resident, not only did he enjoy getting involved but it “helped build bridges with a neighbour”.
And for Milton Keynes residents who won prizes for their gardens; “... it feels wonderful to be appreciated and it was good to see Clarion back in the community again.”
While for some of our younger residents it was a chance to learn, as one child remarked: “Honestly! We wouldn’t have to pick up all this litter if people didn’t throw it on the floor!”
Litter picking clears our neighbourhoods, but what about improving gardens?
We handed out plants and delivered postcards to a number of homes to thank people for their clean and tidy gardens, or to encourage them with their gardening.
Nicely kept, well-planted gardens make such a difference to the neighbourhood and are appreciated by all passers-by. While allotments offer the chance to learn more about the environment, and grow food to support a healthy lifestyle.
The Grow project in Derby is a community allotment, and the litter pick day was a chance for everyone to get involved, including our Group Chief Executive, Clare Miller. Clare said: “It was great to have the chance to visit the team in Derby and to see our front line team out and about with residents of all ages on the estate.”
Children from the local primary school picked up litter and planted seeds at the allotment, and the school hopes to have their own space there to encourage children to learn how to grow fresh food. Local grounds maintenance business Green Fingers, donated a shed, which Clarion Response helped install on the day, so now volunteers have somewhere for their gardening tools – keeping the allotment tidy! Thank you
Thank you to our contractors; Greenfingers, Ground Control, Accord, and Just Ask. We’d also like to thank Clarion Response for their donations and attendance on the day.
And thank you to residents who helped to build community pride through the litter picking day –making a big difference to their neighbourhoods.
Keeping it going – estate champions wanted!
The litter pick day is only the beginning….Ongoing efforts create lasting change, and we are looking for estate champions who would like to do more, with estate inspections and encouraging their neighbours to make clean, green and tidy communities.
Please contact the East Midlands Housing team if you wish to get involved in the ‘Clean, green and tidy’ campaign.
This article was featured in Your Clarion, our resident magazine.
