Volunteers from National Highways and three of its supply chain partners have spent three days volunteering in Birmingham removing flytipping, clearing overgrown gardens and tidying community green spaces.
Working alongside local housing officers, the team comprised of volunteers from National Highways, Carnell, Tarmac and HW Martin. Focusing on the area of Druids Heath, they tended to four gardens for people who cannot manage their own spaces due to health or inaccessibility, removed rubbish and discarded furniture from public areas and made simple repairs within community spaces.
The work was organised to reflect National Highways’ commitment to playing a positive role in the communities close to its road network.
Donna Dind, Social Value and Supplier Lead at National Highways, said:
“Supporting Druids Heath is a great way of giving back to our communities and helping to ensure its residents have clean and tidy streets, and green spaces they can enjoy.
“This is just the beginning of our work in the area, and we look forward to developing further relationships with those in the community who need our support the most.”
The volunteering days marked just the beginning of a longer-term plan for the team to work with Druids Heath residents as part of the Government’s Pride in Place initiative, which has seen the neighbourhood selected for up to £20m of investment over the next 10 years.
The area is one of eight in Birmingham that has been selected for Government funding to spend on what matters most to residents – from improvements to pavements and high streets, to investing in community activities and outdoor spaces.
A neighbourhood board will be set up with the local MP, council representatives, residents, businesses and community organisations to decide on the work that’s needed and how the funding will be spent.
Adrian Oulds, Business Director at Carnell, said:
“In just a few days our teams have made a huge difference to the neighbourhood, and this is just the start of us helping to improve the quality of life of Druid Heath’s residents.
“We have been especially proud to see the wonderful reaction from these residents, and we look forward to working with them again in future.”
The volunteers will also support an early careers day at The Oaks Primary School in Druids Heath later this month, to give pupils the chance to learn about the wide range of careers and opportunities in the infrastructure sector.
Al Carns, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said:
“The garden clearances and flytipping work carried out will make a tangible difference to residents in Druids Heath, particularly those who are unable to maintain their own outdoor spaces.
“This is exactly the kind of partnership working that can help strengthen neighbourhoods and improve people’s quality of life. As Druids Heath begins its Pride in Place journey, it is encouraging to see organisations already stepping forward to invest in the area and work alongside local residents.
“I am grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and look forward to seeing this relationship develop in the months and years ahead.”
(Images – National Highways)