Last night’s session saw us head over to Breightmet with a clear mission: tackle a well-known grot spot near St Catherine’s School that’s become a magnet for litter. It didn’t take long to see the scale of the issue, but armed with gloves, bags, and a bit of determination, we got straight to work.

We focused our efforts on the stretch leading down towards Newby Road, an area particularly affected, and over the course of an hour put in a proper shift. By the end of the session, we’d filled six bags with rubbish - everything from general litter to some more stubborn, long-forgotten waste. A solid, visible impact in a relatively short space of time.

We had a really positive response from the local community and we spent time chatting with residents who stopped by, many of whom were grateful to see something being done about the area. There was real curiosity too- people asking about GoodGym, how it works, and how they might get involved, as well as interest in the local volunteer opportunities and Volunteer Vaults in the area. It’s always a good sign when a task not only improves a space but also sparks conversations and connections.

Despite the progress, it’s clear there’s more to do here. This wasn’t a one-and-done job, but very much the start of reclaiming the space. The good news is - we’ll be back. With more time and more hands, we can continue to turn this hotspot into something the community can feel proud of again.

Great effort all round, well done and thank you to Laurence for joining in!