The Big Woodgrange Summer Clean – Rain, Rubbish and Really Big Bubbles!
What would a summer event in the UK be without a little rain?
Not to worry – Caroline and the team were well-prepared! When the heavens opened, they shifted the fun under the shelter of Centre Place. Spirits stayed high, and so did the sense of community.
Inside, our reception area turned into a buzzing hub of local causes and community champions. RVIPs Lynda and Bob were front and centre, representing our residents. Little Heroes, a fantastic charity supporting children with autism and their families were there, too. It was inspiring to hear how much the organisation has evolved and grown to meet the needs of the families it supports.
Joining them were Family Action, on hand with a wealth of information about their food clubs, support with finances and budgeting and confidence-building services. The team shared powerful insights into how they provide access to nutritious food, helping to strengthen families in every sense.
Outside? Absolute sensory heaven.
There were digger trucks driving through crushed biscuits, dinosaurs swimming with citrus fruit frozen in ice, and clouds of shaving foam joy. The sensory play area was a huge hit with the kids – and probably an interesting surprise for parents!
Nature took centre stage too, as children and young people got their hands dirty potting seeds, encouraging care for the natural world.
And who could forget the pop-up circus? One talented lady had people spinning hula hoops, mastering circus skills, and marvelling at her giant, rainbow-hued bubbles that floated through the air.
On to the heart of the event – litter picking!
Staff and residents rolled up their sleeves and got to work, filling bag after bag with litter. A huge thank you to everyone who helped. It was a real team effort!
Contractors Purdy, Axis and Mitie also joined us, showing their support for the community and sharing in the day’s spirit.
Of course, no summer clean-up would be complete without a visit from the ice cream van. Bubblegum balls and chocolate flakes were the sweet rewards for a job well done!
A massive thank you to everyone who helped bring the Big Woodgrange Summer Spring Clean to life. Rain or shine, it was a brilliant success!