In August, Little Hulton saw a fantastic display of community spirit as local businesses, charities, and volunteers worked side-by-side in an ongoing effort to repurpose the disused car park in Peel Park.
Our staff volunteers joined forces with CommUNITY Little Hulton, RHS Community Gardening, and the Salford Employment and Recruitment Hub, helping create a new outdoor space that will benefit everyone local for years to come, especially children from nearby schools.
A New Green Space
Peel Park has been undergoing a series of regeneration projects aimed at creating a welcoming and valuable space for local residents. The old car park area, which used to be covered with fly-tipped litter, rubble, and brambles, is being cleared and prepared with new features like raised planters.
As part of these ongoing efforts, volunteers from Kenny Waste Management jumped in to litter-pick and help lay a protective membrane and spread mulch, crucial steps to get the place ready for future planting and outdoor activities.
Installing the membrane is an essential step, suppressing weeds and reducing the need for regular maintenance. The volunteers spent hours shovelling mulch to cover the newly laid membrane. On a scorching day, the work was both physically demanding and rewarding, with all involved giving their best effort to help transform the area into a beautiful and functional space.
We also contributed a free of charge skip to handle all the waste generated during the day, diverting 100% of the waste from landfill and recycling where possible. We even had a local T-Rex join in the recycling efforts.
The Power of Working Together
This project highlights the strength of community collaboration. Everyone involved brought their energy and skills to the table, showing how much can be achieved when people come together with a common purpose.
CommUNITY Little Hulton shared their appreciation on Facebook:
“Massive, massive thank you to our team of volunteers today who made this transformation happen! The before and after is incredible!! Watch this space for the development of this area.”
Salford City Council also gave a shoutout on social media, recognising the contributions of all teams and individuals involved.
Why Paid Volunteering Matters
At Kenny Waste Management, we believe in giving back to the communities we are a part of. It makes perfect sense for us to get involved in this project, given that our Salford MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) is just minutes from the park, and many of our staff not only live in Little Hulton but also went to school here and have their children growing up in the community.
As a UK-wide national supplier with family business values, we are creating social value by being a good neighbour and employer. One of the ways we put this belief into action is by offering all our employees two full days of paid volunteering each year. This allows them to support causes they are passionate about while making a meaningful difference in their local communities.
Tracey McMullan, Social Value Manager at Kenny Waste Management, explained:
“Volunteering is such a powerful way to give back, and it’s something we’re really proud to offer our team. Seeing our team members come together for community projects, especially on hot, challenging days like this, shows the amazing attitude from staff we are so keen to nurture in supporting our local area.”
Our involvement in CommUNITY Little Hulton’s project at Peel Park is just one example of how businesses can play an active role in improving local spaces and building stronger communities. It also demonstrates the importance of businesses providing opportunities for staff to engage in volunteer work, which can be both personally rewarding and socially impactful.
What’s Next?
As Peel Park continues its journey of transformation, long-term plans for the park include creating a wildflower meadow, bug boxes, and a dedicated play area for children. These developments will provide a lasting legacy for generations to come.
We’re thrilled to be part of this ongoing journey, and we look forward to making more positive changes in our community.
Want to know more about our local volunteer work? Check out our previous blog post with CommUNITY Little Hulton here.
