Calderwood House residents clean up Egremont in support thanks

Kelly has spent 11 years in prison and is preparing to move out of Calderwood House

Residents of a homeless hostel in Cumbria are spending their days cleaning up the area. The BBC joined them to see how they are trying to give back to their community.

If you walk into the beautiful grounds of St Mary and St Michael's church in Egremont on Thursday mornings, you might be lucky enough to be greeted by Kelly Scott.

With her bubbly personality and cheery disposition, she waves at people coming in through the gates while she clears up the grounds and removes moss and twigs.

Kelly is eager to give back to the community that helped her when she was at her lowest.

After 11 years in prison and a turbulent life, she has found her second chance at Calderwood House, which welcomed her while she was on special licence.

On Thursday mornings, residents of the homeless hostel in Egremont work in the church's grounds or the castle, clearing them up and making sure the paths are safe, clear and not slippery for the elderly to walk on.

"A lot of people were slipping on the front with all the moss," Kelly says, adding: "If you had come about two weeks ago, it was just all green everywhere.

"I think it's rewarding because I'm giving something back.

"Calderwood is like Egremont's hub, it's like the heart of everything, it's like a big family.

"The community give to us all the time - we get donations, food, all sorts."

Kelly has been at the facility since July and she is now preparing to move out thanks to the kindness of the West Cumbrian community.

She will move into a flat with fellow resident Neil Mclaughlin which was bought for the social enterprise by a donor.

Neil Mclaughlin and Kelly Scott will move into a flat soon

Staff from Calderwood will continue to support them, but it's a big step for them both.

Kelly has ADHD and bipolar disorder and while moving out is scary for her, she is also excited.

"One minute I'm right up in the sky, the next I'm on the bottom and if I'm on the bottom all the staff are there to support, and the residents, so it's brilliant really," Kelly says.

"[Moving out] will make a big difference to my life, because I struggle every day," Kelly adds.

Time to change

Neil has also come from prison and has been a resident at Calderwood since April 2023.

This is his third time at the facility, but this time he says things are different because he wants to change.

Having struggled with alcoholism for 20 years, he describes having lived life "in a blur" with things spiralling after the death of his mother.

"Coming out here and doing stuff for the community, it gives me a purpose," Neil says, adding: "I was brought up by my nana and granddad, who were elderly and they would love to see me doing stuff like this.

"And I love it, giving back, helping anyone, because I've been helped by Calderwood House."

Volunteers are also carrying out work at Egremont Castle

As Neil prepares to move out of the hostel after 12 months of sobriety, he hopes his life will eventually get back on track.

"Hopefully one day I'll get back to where I was working at Sellafield - that is my goal," he says, adding: "And a house for my daughter and myself."

Carla Woodburn, an outreach support worker who has worked at Calderwood House for nine years, says the hostel has always wanted to be within the community.

Activities they have carried out over the years include painting bollards and planting flowers, and residents are now also working in the grounds at Egremont Castle.

"For the residents, it's a massive thing doing the community work," Carla says.

She says some will come from outside Egremont and not know the area or its people, so getting to meet the townsfolk and contribute to improving it is a big boost for the happiness.

"They just enjoy it," Carla adds.