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Growing communities

Explore how the environmental charity PECT transformed and enhanced green spaces in Gladstone

Do you ever look at your local neighbourhood and wish you had the power to transform the communal spaces, to make them cleaner and greener? Well one charity in Peterborough achieved just that! The environmental organisation PECT teamed up with Community First Peterborough on a new ‘Growing Communities’ project, which launched this spring. The aim of the project was to improve 20 green spaces in the Gladstone area for the benefit of local residents and wildlife.

PECT’s Project Officer, Danette O’Hara, says: “We worked with local residents, community groups, schools and businesses to transform the area. We aimed to achieve positive change for the health and happiness of those who live in the local area, and to create a lasting legacy for future generations of city residents.”

Access to green and attractive areas has a proven impact on the health and well-being of both children and adults. The ‘Growing Communities’ project delivered a range of improvement initiatives such as planting new flowerbeds and running community litter picking events, to turn the once neglected areas into attractive and biodiverse spaces for local residents and wildlife to enjoy. In addition to this, PECT provided advice and training on basic gardening skills, including pruning, propagation and soil health and running a number of community events and activities for residents to get involved in. The project was funded by the Postcode Local Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

In total the project: ● Collected 60+ bags of litter ● Planted 20 flowerbeds ● Was supported by 50+ volunteers.

PAINTING THE CITY GREEN WITH THE GREEN FESTIVAL
The PECT Green Festival was another huge success for Peterborough. Run by the charity PECT, the Green Festival is a free event for all residents and visitors to the city. For the first time ever, the festival was held at Nene Park, providing the perfect setting for the green themed event. There was a huge range of activities for all the family to get involved in, including prize giveaways, games, stunt bike shows and interactive artistic displays. “The Green Festival is a fantastic event for the city and really helps to raise the awareness of the importance of looking after the environment” explains PECT General Manager, Stuart Dawks. “The festival was attended by a number of PECT’s partners, showcasing the wide range of environmental projects the city has to offer.”
● This year’s Green Festival was funded by The Arts Council England and sponsored by CCL Supplies. To keep up to date with future PECT events visit www.PECT.org.uk/events.

GET INVOLVED
● For more information about how you can get involved in PECT’s projects please call 01733 568408. To find out more about PECT and donate to the charity online, visit www.PECT.org.uk. You can also follow the charity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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