Neighbourhood improvements a community effort

Residents in a DCH housing scheme in Exeter have come together for a ‘community clean up’. Arena Park’s Green Group braved the cold weather to get out on their estate to clean up their local park and hedgerows.

Lesley Browne, Community Development Worker at DCH, said: “Following the recent storms lots of litter has been blown around the estate and the residents wanted to proactively give the area a clean up. All ages came together to help out, DCH provided litter picks, protective gloves and collection bags to support the event.”

“The Green Group at Arena Park are active residents who volunteer their time to make community improvements which make the neighbourhood such great place to live. As part of our ongoing investment into communities we fully support our residents to make lasting improvements to their local areas.”

Dave Coles Chair of Arena Park’s Green Group said: “Our Green Group at Arena Park has gone from strength to strength, we actively encourage residents to think about the green areas and look after their estate. Over 60% of residents use our community composting area and we try and encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible to ensure people can be proud of their neighbourhood.”

Arena Park, Exeter has recently been awarded a RHS ‘thriving community ’ award which recognised the neighbourhoods work on transforming the play park and adopting good environmental practice on their estate, by The Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Rob Hannaford. Dave Coles the Chair of Arena Park’s Green Group has also recently been awarded a ‘local recycling champion’ award. The estate continues to flourish with further resident lead community activities taking place over the next year.