cleanupuk | Keeping Keyham Tidy

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Etheridge, the Chair of Keyham Green Places, a thriving community centre in Plymouth. While the centre itself may be small, its impact is anything but. Nestled in Keyham, this charity-run hub boasts an extensive play park, a beautiful woodland area, and 40 micro- allotments, all of which help bring the local community together.

Keyham Green Places is a home for all sorts of groups and activities, from youth forest schools and local league sports to crafty get-togethers and even a Barbican Theatre group. Every Monday, they host a community lunch using fresh produce grown on-site , with volunteer chefs from the Navy stepping in to cook hearty meals. There’s always something happening, and the centre is constantly buzzing with energy.

So, when Jennifer was approached by Plymouth’s Cleanup Champion, El Clarke about becoming a Community Cleanup Hub, she knew it was the perfect fit for Keyham.

Being situated on a hill, Keyham often falls victim to litter blown in from surrounding fields, the coast, and nearby streets. Jennifer saw becoming a Cleanup Hub as an opportunity, not just to tackle the litter problem, but also to strengthen community pride in the area:

“I really want people to build a sense of pride in the place they live,” she shared.

With the enthusiasm already alive at Keyham Green Places, many groups, parents and children, quickly took to borrowing litter -picking equipment to help keep the local play areas and pathways clean. But Jennifer knew that sometimes, people would just need a little nudge to get involved.

That’s when she, with the help of El, introduced themed litter picks: monthly activities designed to make litter picking fun. These have been a huge success , with residents eagerly taking part in events like “Show Keyham Some Love” for Valentine’s Day, the Christmas Jumper and Hot Chocolate Pick, and a Halloween Fancy Dress Pick. Their inspiring efforts even won them the title of “Most Fun Themed Litter Pick of the Year” in CleanupUK’s Davina Awards - set up to “celebrate individuals and groups who have made a significant impact in their communities through litter-picking and environmental stewardship”.

“I really wanted to make litter picking fun,” Jennifer said, and the results speak for themselves.

Jennifer has noticed a shift in people’s engagement within their community since the lockdowns. “People aren’t as active in their communities anymore. They speak to each other less, and there’s been a real decline in local activities,” she explained. But thanks to initiatives like the Cleanup Hub, residents are reconnecting, chatting, and making new friends while doing something positive for their neighbourhood.

Keyham has faced its share of challenges in recent years. Just last year, an unexploded WWII bomb was discovered, forcing a huge evacuation of the area. During the crisis, Keyham Green Places became the central hub for emergency services, reinforcing its vital role in the community.

Beyond litter picking, Jennifer and the team at Keyham Green Places are committed to bringing people together. With a lack of activities for local young people in the area, the centre is a safe and welcoming space that encourages friendships and community spirit.

“Since COVID, people seem less friendly,” Jennifer reflected. “So, it’s lovely seeing people come together, chat, and make friends while doing something positive for where they live.”

With more themed litter picks and community events planned for 2025, there’s no doubt that Keyham Green Places will continue to inspire and uplift. Whether it’s a scout group lending a hand in June or a festive clean-up with hot chocolate in December, one thing is clear: Keyham’s community spirit is alive and well, and it all starts with a simple act of care for their local environment.

If you want to learn more about Keyham Green Places, visit their profile here.