Community action day at Calvesford Road and Close
Following reports of untidy gardens at Calvesford Road and Close, our team carried out individual visits to customers to better understand their circumstances and the reasons behind the items accumulating in their outdoor spaces. Many customers told us they simply didn’t have the means to dispose of bulky or unwanted items themselves.
Based on those conversations, we organised a Community Action Day to offer practical support and help customers regain control of their gardens. We wrote to all households in the area, letting them know about the planned clean-up on Wednesday 11 February, and enclosed a response form where they could list any items, they wanted removed free of charge.
Despite a very wet start to the morning, the weather soon cleared and we made great progress throughout the day. We collected unwanted items from twelve properties, including mobility scooters, lawn mowers, fridge-freezers, beds, mattresses, televisions, appliances, bicycles and even multiple tyres. The number of items removed was significant and the before-and-after photos clearly show the difference made.
Throughout the day, we spoke with customers who were genuinely grateful for the support and relieved to have long-standing clutter finally taken away. We were also on hand to help with general queries and provide further assistance where needed.
One customer we had spoken with previously explained he had been unable to leave his home because the footpath was too overgrown for his mobility scooter. We visited him on the day, discussed the issue further and assured him we would contact the area surveyor to request that the hedge be cut back to restore safe access. He very much appreciated the time spent with him.
Our team returned the very next day to clear the overgrown path and he was absolutely delighted.
We received several compliments following the event. One customer said:
“I thought this was a brilliant thing to do. We had a bit of a backlog in our garden with storm‑damaged furniture and other various items…This initiative was brilliant and well timed. The team were great. They came and checked what was to be collected and even asked if the broken pots we hadn’t listed could be taken. They were polite and professional, and I felt much safer letting them take the items than trusting a man with a van.”
The day gave us a strong sense of the pride customers have in their homes and the community spirit within the area. With the support offered and the amazing effort from everyone involved, many gardens are now looking better than ever.