Litter-picking pioneers expand scheme across city

El Clarke said she started litter picking "just to get out of the house for a little bit" when she was ill

A community-led litter-picking initiative in Plymouth has proved so popular it is set to expand across the city.

The Clean Our Patch Community Interest Company began in 2018 when husband and wife Ash Samuels and El Clarke began cleaning up the street outside their home.

The group said it was now setting up and equipping 10 hubs across the city where local volunteers could organise their own litter-picking events, which was being funded partly by a £15,000 grant to the city by Great Western Railway.

It was hoped the new hubs would be up and running by April, the group said.

Friends joined in

Ms Clarke said inspiration to start litter picking came from a very dark place.

She said: "I had a nervous breakdown and I was really unwell with depression, and was finding it difficult to motivate myself to leave the house.

"So my husband decided to buy a litter picker and basically encouraged me to go out and litter pick the street, just to get out of the house for a little bit."

The couple posted pictures online of their first picks and soon friends were joining in.

About 500 volunteers a month take part in litter-picks in Plymouth organised by the group

Since then, the pickers have collected tonnes of rubbish and found some strange items, including a replica pistol which was disposed of by the police, and a pair of stolen medals which were returned to their owner.

The campaign has grown with an estimated 500 volunteers a month now taking part.

Mr Samuels said: "It’s become a lot more than we ever expected.

"It’s really positive and we have met so many amazing people."

Nominees

Volunteer Pam Baring said: "I got handed a litter stick and a bag and it was like a hallelujah moment.

"All the litter I had seen in my area, I was able to go and pick up.

"It just makes your area look well cared for and loved."

As well as helping the city, Ms Clarke said the litter picking had really helped her.

She said: "It’s not just me, I know a lot of other people who have improved their mental health by coming out and joining us as well."

Ash Samuels and El Clarke are nominees in the 2024 BBC Radio Devon Making A Difference Awards.