Two weeks ago, I joined the Wigan and Leigh Carer’s Centre to participate in their community litter pick. As part of The Big Help Out, the centre called on volunteers to help clean up the streets of Hindley. The Big Help Out ran from the 7th to the 9th of June, aligning with Volunteers Week to raise awareness of volunteering in the UK and to provide opportunities for people to volunteer and make a difference in their communities.

A pleasant surprise during my volunteering experience was the range of organisations and individuals involved. Organisations such as Bakkavor, Wigan Scuba Divers, Asda Leigh, Wigan Council, and many dedicated individuals gave up their time to join the effort. Over 29 volunteers turned out to help keep Hindley’s streets clean, demonstrating the power of volunteering.

Volunteers were given gloves, bags, and litter picks to help tidy the streets. Once I had my equipment, I felt ready to go. It wasn’t surprising to see the amount of litter cluttering our streets, often found near bins. The area I focused on was Market Street in Hindley, located in the town centre. Picking up litter quickly became addictive, as the frustration with others’ willingness to litter drove me to keep going. Unfortunately, we didn’t have endless time to clean the streets. However, seeing the amount of rubbish I and others collected made me realise the tangible impact of our efforts on the area. Hindley’s streets certainly looked greener!

The Community Litter Pick is a testament to the power of volunteering, demonstrating how people coming together can make a significant difference in our local community. As a volunteer, I usually spend a lot of my time at the Turnpike Gallery and helping out with local charities, and it is truly special to see the fruits of your labour. However, I also realise that people sometimes take volunteers for granted. Without their amazing work, our streets would be in a worse state. If there is one thing everyone can do to help, it’s to pick up litter and place it in a bin.

If you want to offer some time, the Wigan and Leigh Carer’s Centre would greatly appreciate your volunteering. Please contact Louise at the centre on 01942 697885 if you would like to get involved.

For more information, you can visit their social media pages or contact them directly:

Email: info@wiganandleighcarerscentre.org.uk

Facebook: Wigan and Leigh Carer’s Centre

Twitter: @WiganLeighCarer