Local hospital cleans up community
Ashley House, one of our low secure hospitals, has started ‘the village clean up group’ which sees patients playing an active role in helping to keep Ashley village and the surrounding areas clean through regular, escorted, offsite visits to pick up litter.
As part of their education, rehabilitation and skills development, patients have been given the opportunity to show an interest in helping the village through this clean up scheme. The group consists of four patients who, once a week, participate in litter picking. Including a cleaner living area, the group’s work reduces pollution, increases wildlife safety and encourages a more environmentally friendly approach. They look at recycling and its short and long term benefits in an effort to increase awareness of the contribution the community can make to saving resources.
Lucy Berrisford, an education, rehabilitation and skills development department tutor, and organiser of the group, commented: “Our village clean up group is an important part of the patients’ development programme. This project actively promotes individuals to make a positive contribution with the aim of benefiting the community at large. Patients’ self-esteem has been boosted as a direct result of them participating in something truly rewarding. The scheme has been showcased at a community meeting, organised by Care Principles earlier this year in June. Ashley House would like to thank the residents of Ashley village and look forward to continuously developing positive links in the future.”
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