Wester Hailes residents come together to clean up the Community

Community spirit was in full force this week, as the residents, businesses, Community groups and charities of Wester Hailes came together to clean up the neighbourhood – with fantastic results.     

Organised by Places for People Scotland with the support of partners including The City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Prospect Community Housing, Keep Scotland Beautiful, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the local People of Wester Hailes took to the streets for a day of tidying. The event saw residents engage in an array of cleaning activities, including litter picking, cutting back overgrown greenery, removing rubbish, cleaning communal stairs, and painting shared garden furniture.  

Keen to get involved, the pupils of St. Augustine’s Hight School also appeared with their litter pickers to hand. In fact, they were so eager to help that they’ll be back out in the Community planting bulbs next week.   

Ciara Toland, Head of Neighbourhoods at Places for People Scotland, said: “The efforts of the volunteers, residents, and partners in Wester Hailes throughout the week of action have been nothing short of amazing, and I want to thank everybody who took the time to get involved.   

“This isn’t just about collecting litter, it’s about the shared sense of Community spirit and pride that so many local people feel in Wester Hailes, something that was on show in bounds throughout the week. Having had the chance to speak to many people, including conducting a doorstep consultation, we have built a good understanding of how people feel about their Community and heard some excellent ideas for continuing to improve it.”   

However, the students and residents were not alone in their pursuit of a tidier neighbourhood, as many local businesses, including TC Young Solicitors, Pertemps, Jacobs, Skanska, Currie and Brown, Apogee, Idverde, NWH Group and Bell Group, also offered their time and resources throughout the week.  

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, local area commander south west Edinburgh, said: “I was really pleased that the local policing team have been supporting this initiative and working with the local Community to make these improvements. It’s an opportunity for everyone in the area to get involved and build upon the excellent relationships we already have in the South West locality.”  

Overall, the week has been a fantastic example of what our Communities can achieve when we all work together. We’d like to say a big well done to the residents, local businesses, Community groups and charities involved in the event - and we can’t wait to see the positive impact their work will have on the larger Community.