Kirkholt youngsters tidy up for the Big Clean

Stacey Weston, Chris McCavana and Shannon Reilly have a good reason to smile after they and their friends at Kirkholt Youth Centre made a real difference to their local area by completing a Big Clean litter pick.

Young people from Kirkholt Youth Centre cleaned up their local area with a litter pick as part of Rochdale Council’s Big Clean campaign.

Working with officers from the council, the youngsters donned high vis jackets and used litter pickers to get rid of rubbish that had been thrown away and scattered throughout the Kirkholt estate.

Karen Belfield, the Kirkholt youth worker for Rochdale Youth Service, hopes the youngsters’ efforts will be welcomed and appreciated by residents in the area. She said: “There’s no doubt about it – the kids made a real difference when they did their litter pick. It’s something they really enjoyed doing, and they were so proud when they were able to see the area so much cleaner than they’re used to.

“It is really good that the local community can see the positive contribution young people are making on their estate and this will hopefully encourage others to take a leaf out of these young people’s books and think before they drop litter on their streets."

After their litter pick, the youngsters received a Big Clean litter pick certificate from the council in appreciation of their hard work.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and sustainability at the council, said: “Lots of young people are taking a real interest in doing litter picks for the Big Clean – and the youngsters from Kirkholt Youth Centre are just the latest in a growing line. Well done!

“I’d personally like to say a big thank you to everyone who has embraced the Big Clean campaign. By taking action and saying no to litter, fly tipping, graffiti and so on, you’re contributing a great deal to our borough and making it so much more welcoming for everyone who lives, visits and works here.”

Whether you’re at school, a member of a community or voluntary group, or you simply fancy getting your neighbours together to have a blitz on litter in your street - the council can help you organise and promote your own Big Clean litter pick. It will also provide you with Big Clean litter pick posters so you can put them up in public places and tell people about it. 

On the day of your litter pick the council will send officers to help out, plus it will arrange to deliver and pick up all the equipment you need - including litter pickers, gloves, rubbish bags, high visibility vests and health and safety guidance. The council will also collect the bags of rubbish you gather.

If you want to organise a Big Clean litter pick in your area or you want to report a grot spot, call the Big Clean hotline on 0845 226 1800 or email environmental.management@rochdale.gov.uk