A Local Town For Local People

If everyone took care of their own patch of the world, the world would be a much nicer place. Too often now, people expect the local authorities to get everything done so they don't have to. While it's true that we pay taxes to have our communities looked after, it can only go so far and they can only do so much. Going back in time, people would have some pride in their area and would make a little effort in the patch around their home. Clearing weeds, planting flowers and asking their elderly neighbour if they need anything from the shop or their grass cutting. So why do most of us leave this mentality in the past? Can you take care of your patch?

You do need to be careful not to end up doing anything that will land you in trouble so always think before you act. Some things you can just do with no permission needed. For example, I have cleared mud from a public path and put salt down on the ice outside my house, beyond my property. Little things to help others, preventing a nasty accident and making people feel more secure in walking the area. If you see something small like this that you can do, then have at it. However, if you see something a little more complex than just grabbing a brush, you might want to ask the local authority for some help, advice or even just the permission to get it done yourself.

Litter picking

I like a good litter pick. You can change the look of a whole area just by cleaning it up a bit. If all you want to do is a small pick, then you should be fine to just get on with it. If you can get rid of the rubbish yourself then go ahead. If you are collecting a small bag of rubbish, then you can put it in the closest public bin where it should have been in the first place. If you want to do a lot of picking then you might need to get in touch with your local council or the land owner. Here in my area of Yorkshire, it's a council job to remove little. Helping them with the job means they can free up some work hours to get more done so they are happy with the help. If we collect a lot of litter though, we need it to be in the council bags and placed in an area on a certain day which is pre arrainged so it can be collected. Our council even have litter pick kits you can borrow. If you want to do this as a one off or as a regular thing in your area, then contact your local authorities and just ask them about their policy.

Trimming back bushes

This seems at first like a minor thing to just make things look a bit more tidy. However, I learned a while back that it's a big thing for those with sight problems. They can be following the path with a cain or guide dog only to be hit in the face by branches sticking out. If the bushes are yours, then keep them trimmed back. If they are on someone elses property, you could ask them nicely and explain the problem. If they don't want to or can't do it, you could offer to do it for them. Remember you are not actually doing it for them, you are doing it for people in the community with sight loss. And finally, if the bushes are on public land and it might be a big job, you should really ask the council/land owner to do it. If it's just a case of trimming back a few little bits then it should be ok to go ahead.

Looking out for your neighbours

Especially with Covid around, it's always good to keep an eye out for other people around you who may be vulnrable and struggling. Watch out in the houses around you. Do you know who lives there? Have you seen people going to visit them? Do you see them going out or just peeking around the curtains? Are they elderly or disabled? Alone with young children? Do they seem to have a support network around them? There are so many questions you can ask yourself to identify who might be needing some help. It's very understandable that people can be a little fearful of others with all the terrible things in the news of scammers and con artists, but don't let that stop you from being the real deal and offering to help. You could offer help with shopping, gardening or, when covid allows it, cleaning or just company. If you make an offer and they say no, don't push it, just say the offer stands and you are there if they do need you. It needs to be said though, that you should only make the offers of things you feel comfortable and capable of doing. Don't over stretch yourself.

Gardening in public space

This is another thing to speak to the council/land owners about. Most of the time they will be fine with it, but will need to know what the plans are. It's no good spending time putting flowers and plants in to a grassed area when the council will send a grass cutter over it and destroy them all. They need to know that they are there and to work around it. There can also be problems with certain types of plants so what you are planting will need to have the ok from the eco team.

Starting a group or club

This can actually be quite simple depending on what kind of group you want to start. If it's ever been something you have thought about, then why not just do it. Covid pops up again, getting in the way, but when the restrictions are lifted there are plenty of places you could have as a meeting point. Book club, crafting, baking, cooking, social, the list could go on forever. Many church halls will offer a low cost hire with kitchen facilities and a private space. If you don't need private, ask a local cafe about reserving an area. They get extra business and you get a space to hold your group meeting. If you are in private spaces, then you may want to have a look at some basic insurance which can be very cheap. You don't want to end up in court because Agnas set fire to her sleeve while baking a cake on your watch. If you are just meeting in a cafe to do cross stitch then you should be fine.

Reporting things to the authorities

One of the best ways to look out for the area without having to actually do too much, is to simply report things that need reporting. It sounds simple but is often overlooked. Local areas have systems to report things so something can be done about it. The public are their eyes and ears on the ground. The only way they will know that an issue needs addressing is if you tell them. I have seen many people walking past horrible graffiti and complaining about it in the street. It's there for weeks or months before someone finally removes it. The public then walk by complaining about how long it took to get it sorted out. The problem here being that everyone complains in the street to other people, but no one complained to the people who could do something about it. Find the contact information for reporting things like graffiti, dog fouling, anti social behaviour and anything else that is locally bothersom, and get the reports in. The more things are reported, the more notice the authorities take of the issue in that area. Keep it going.

I'm sure this article could go on forever on the kinds of things you could do for your patch of the world, but this should give you some good jumping off points. Now get out there and spread kindness like confetti.