Making our streets cleaner and colourful! An army of 27 volunteers inspire the Heston West community

On a beautiful and sunny day, Heston West’s Big Local Youth Action Team and members of  The Southall based Victory Youth Group (VYG) joined forces to effect a big clean up in the streets around Cranford Community College (Redwood & Brabazon Estates) on Saturday 17th June 2017. In all, 27 youngsters aged from nine to 27 took part, with parents accompanying the little ones. The result was deemed a big success.
As with all good joint initiatives, the day started with an ice breaking game, so that attendees could introduce themselves and learn about each other by sharing their personal ‘fun facts’ (like winning a maths award, for example).

Wearing high vis jackets and yellow t-shirts, the youths then hit the streets, armed with water and hats, because the day was hot and sunny, and carrying the necessary equipment for the job, which Hounslow Highways provided. While the work was going on, some local residents expressed their appreciation of the effort being made, and a few drivers even stopped to ask about the activity.

Over a ‘thank you’ lunch back in Cranford Community College the youngsters received Community Champion Certificates from the organisers – Nancy Sidibe of the Southall UCKG HelpCentre, where the VYG is based and Taz Virdee.

Taz Virdee said: “I was amazed to see we had 27 volunteers supporting us. I am really proud of all our young people and their fantastic parents coming together making a real difference to the Heston West community. A big thank you to everyone who got involved and the incredible support from Nancy and her team of volunteers."

Nancy Sidibe added: "It was wonderful, the younger generation was leading the way to a better community."

Others commented that after the past week’s tragic events (at nearby Grenfell Tower), it was great to build community spirit and that this event was a great way to bring communities closer together.

The VYG’s involvement was under the banner of their annual ‘We Care! – Youth Engagement initiative, in which VYG groups around the country put something back into their communities, largely through environmental activities.