Children undertake litter pick and hedge trimming ahead of Walk to School Month in October

Pupils and staff at St Hugh's CofE Primary School with Jenny Eastwood and Joanne Turner from Calm Ahead CIC and Ghazalla Iqbal from FCHO

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has joined forces with a Holts school, the council and a community group to undertake a litter pick and hedge trimming ahead of Walk to School Month in October.

The work on the main route to St Hugh’s CofE Primary School took place last week to make it safe and welcoming for the schoolchildren and parents.

Pupils, teachers, FCHO’s neighbourhood team, the mental health community interest company Calm Ahead and the council’s street cleaning team all took part in clearing litter and hedge trimming along Wildmoor Avenue, Covert Road and Course View.

“FCHO was delighted to be involved in this project with the school and our partners to ensure there’s a safe, accessible and welcoming route for St Hugh’s pupils to take part in Walk to School Month,” said FCHO stronger communities manager Naomi Martin Smith.

“Many thanks to waste management companies H Mullaney & Son and Wheeldons who provided two free tip runs and a skip respectively to help ensure the rubbish was cleared away and the day was a success.

“More work will now continue to help the school with a pledge from one of our contractors Firecracker to provide and install a bike rack for the school as many children cycle or scoot.

“I am sure pupils and parents will now enjoy Walk to School Month and we will monitor the area with the council to ensure it stays clear and tidy.”

As part of the initiative, FCHO staff and Oldham Council colleagues hosted a school assembly all about recycling to promote green habits as part of Recycle Week 2025.

Headteacher at St Hugh's C of E Primary, Jane Lisic, added: “St Hugh’s was delighted to be approached by the Calm Ahead team to take part in the Community Led Action Day on Holts Estate, in partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham and the council.

“I am so proud of our children for showing such responsibility and care for their community. 

"Activities like this teach valuable lessons about respect for the environment and the positive impact young people can have. 

“The children have learned about recycling, reusing and reducing waste and enjoyed getting involved, armed with gloves, bags and litter pickers.”

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