Last week, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work making Stryd Shearwater in Thornton a cleaner, tidier place to live. Organised by Housing Coordinators Clayton, Daria, and Jess, the litter-picking event was all about bringing the community together and tackling the mess left behind after the recent storms.

From the start, the response was fantastic. 11 customers, including children, joined in to help pick up litter, and as the morning went on, more residents stopped by for a chat, bringing the total number of engaged customers to around 20. Our ateb team also showed up in force, with colleagues from Repairs, Facilities, Housing & Community Development, Independent Living, and Communications all taking part. With so many hands on deck, what started as a plan to focus on one small area turned into a much bigger effort – by the end of the event, almost the whole estate had been tackled!

Our Dot.e van became the hub of activity, providing hot drinks, juice, and cakes for everyone involved. Team members were on hand throughout the day, chatting with customers and helping to make sure everyone had what they needed. The younger volunteers were given handy laminated guides showing them what they could and couldn’t pick up, – wrappers and cans were fair game, but sharp objects and dog mess were definitely off-limits!

Joe, a local resident, highlighted the challenges of keeping the area tidy, explaining how strong winds often send rubbish flying down the street. His 13-year-old daughter and her friend were shocked at how much litter they found, saying, “I’d definitely call out my friends if they didn’t use a bin. It’s terrible!”

Arlene, another customer who lives on the street, came along with her four-year-old great-grandson, Ezavier. She wanted to show him the importance of looking after their community, and it’s safe to say the message got through! Ezavier was quick to share his thoughts, saying, “Rubbish is bad! There was a pumpkin in the park, and I don’t know why people are putting their rubbish there!”

Why Events Like This Matter

Our Housing Coordinator Clayton explained why litter-picking events like this make such a difference:
“The Council doesn’t provide public bins in residential areas, and while some customers have asked us to install them, we’d need to add this as a service charge, which we’d rather avoid. That’s why these cleanups are so important – they give customers a chance to take pride in their area and make a real difference.”

The day wasn’t just about tidying up – it was also a great way for customers to meet their neighbours and for ateb teams to connect with the community. It even sparked ideas for future events online, with one customer suggesting, “We need to do this in Princess Royal Way!”

Want to Organise a Cleanup in Your Area?

If you’d like to arrange something similar where you live, get in touch with your Housing Coordinator – we’d love to help make it happen! A huge thank you to everyone who took part. With teamwork like this, we can all help keep our communities looking their best! 💙

Published: 14/02/2025