Project Free recently joined forces with First Choice Homes for a Love Parks 2026 community litter pick at Coalshaw Green Park in Chadderton, bringing together staff, volunteers, beneficiaries and family members to make a positive difference in the local community.
Fifteen people took part in the event, spending just over an hour working together to clear litter from the park and surrounding streets. By the end of the session, the team had collected an impressive 19 bags of rubbish, all of which were collected by Oldham Council.
While the cleaner environment was a fantastic achievement, the day was about much more than the number of bags collected. It was an opportunity for people to get outdoors, enjoy the sunshine, build connections and take pride in giving something back to their local community.
Throughout the litter pick, the team spoke with local residents who stopped to ask about the project, thank everyone for their efforts and share their appreciation for seeing people working together to improve the area.
One particularly heartwarming moment came when two members of a local church group stopped to chat with the team. They explained that their church has organised litter picks for many years but that many of their volunteers are now older and unable to take part as often. They thanked everyone involved for helping to care for the neighbourhood and highlighted the importance of communities coming together to support one another.
For Project Free, community activities like this play an important role in recovery. They provide opportunities to build confidence, develop relationships and create a sense of purpose, while showing the positive impact that people can have within their communities.
Recovery is about far more than overcoming challenges, it’s about reconnecting with others, finding meaningful opportunities and becoming an active part of the community. Events like this demonstrate the value of working together and the lasting difference that even small acts of kindness can make.
A huge thank you to First Choice Homes for partnering with us, Oldham Council for collecting the litter, and everyone who gave their time to take part. Together, we helped create a cleaner, more welcoming environment and showed the power of community in action.
