Litter heroes helping to keep region clean

"Volunteering makes me feel as though I am an ambassador for my area; I feel a sense of pride for where I come from."

Shaz Saleem had always been inspired by his late grandfather's dedication to community service, and seeing his local green spaces littered during lockdown, he founded the Kingswinford & Wall Heath Litter Pick Group.

Mr Saleem is one of hundreds of people across the West Midlands who dedicate their free time to volunteer to help to maintain parks and canals and to do litter picking, not for the recognition but for the selfless act of giving back.

"I think it's so important that we keep those surroundings respected, looked after and maintained," he said.

The Dudley-based group started out as a 10-person team but now has more than 700 members in their Facebook group.

"It's important that we give back, but also you feel really proud because you've done something for your community.

"I want my family members from London to come to Kingswinford and say this is a nice town because that's a compliment to me and the area," he said.

Karen Blanchfield began litter picking in Droitwich after being inspired by her daughter's eco-anxiety, or a fear of environmental damage.

"She kept mentioning the litter on the roads or in the fields with the animals; every moment she was just worried about litter."

Ms Blanchfield said she had a "mum moment" and thought she would either "do something or do nothing".

"We took part in a litter pick, and I saw the change in her."

The mum of three now organises litter picks across Worcestershire and delivers talks in schools encouraging children to keep their areas rubbish-free.

"I used to have the mentality that it's somebody else's problem and they'll get paid to do that.

"It's all of our responsibility; we're finding bottles and crisp packets that are decades old," she said.

While many volunteer to give back, there are others who spend their free time helping because it builds a sense of community.

Chris Bryn-Smith owned a successful security equipment company but said an office-bound job left him wanting a taste for something more.

"I think people underestimate the positive effect on mental health that volunteering has," he said.

"It's helped me tremendously through the difficult decision to close my company; it offered me a distraction."

The 73-year-old was drawn to his love of canals and helps with the Shropshire Union Canal Society to preserve and restore the canal network across the county.

"It gives me fellowship and fulfilment; we might not be doing stuff on the scale of Oxfam, but what we do is not any less important.

"I've worked miserable rainy bank holidays on the canal, but because everybody wanted to be there, the atmosphere was great; that's special, and you can't beat that," he said.

Bob Harrison began volunteering after his wife died 14 years ago and said he had also found companionship through spending his free time making Litchfield in Staffordshire litter-free.

"When my wife passed and I retired, I realised I needed something to keep me occupied, and thank goodness I found something," he said.

Mr Harrison said being part of the Lichfield Litter Legends has given him new purpose and friendships.

"People stop and tell us thank you, but I say, 'Don't thank me; I'm doing something I like'."

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