By Dan Barron and Sam Dixon, The Heat of the Community Project
On a warm summers evening in August, Clifton Park saw 9 volunteers come together with project workers from Rotherfeds Heart of the Community project to help to create a new forum. The planned activity for the day was to litter pick and discuss what groups thought Rotherham needed to support litter pickers better and how that could be achieved.
The forum was well attended by seasoned Litter pickers from the S61 litter pickers, Rawmarsh & Parkgate Friends of Green Spaces, Rotherham’s Older Peoples forum and the Rotherham Inter faith group. Whilst picking in the centre of the park 9 bags of litter were picked to provide a safe and clean area for families to enjoy at the height of the summer.
The rubbish that was collected by the group was quickly collected by the rangers in the park with further reports of where sharps were discovered being made to the relevant council department. A good haul for 45 minutes work on a refreshing summer afternoon.
Once we had regrouped, we asked what groups thought Rotherham needed to support litter pickers better and how that could be achieved. There were lots of conversation and ideas It was agreed that it would be a good start to create an online forum on social media where all litter pickers from the borough can come together to share their events, achievements and stories. There is interested in creating a committee which will continue to be explored.
After our discussion we all enjoyed a share of sandwiches, crisps and cake.
So far, the group has managed to increase its online membership to 90 individuals. The group is already seeing lots of members posting about litter picks across Rotherham. The next plan is to create another event that will engage with more members and will have a positive impact on more green spaces in Rotherham.