Morrison's Managers take on Double Community Challenge

Published by Morrison for Morrison in Communities and also in Housing

Managers from repairs and maintenance provider Morrison have successfully completed two community projects in the Collyhurst and Cheatham areas of Manchester in just three hours. Morrison took on the challenge as part of its annual leadership conference, in order to provide its managers with the chance to get out into the local community and give something back.

The 85 strong team of volunteers from across the company’s nationwide operation, split into two groups; with half tackling a garden project on the Irk Valley Estate in Collyhurst, while the other half carried out restoration works at the Smeaton Street children’s play area in Cheatham.

The work carried out on the Irk Valley Estate, included clearing weeds, creating and planting new flower beds and creating a new hop-scotch board. The project was taken on after local resident Mary Armstrong, who is Chair of the Irk Valley Tenants and Residents Association asked for help in preparing the estate for entrance into theBritainin Bloom competition.

Mary and a dedicated group of residents have worked hard to transform the Irk Valley Estate over the last 12 years after becoming fed up with the anti-social behaviour on the estate. By improving the estate, largely through the introduction of gardens and tidy open spaces, Mary and her team have rid the estate of troublemakers and created an area which local residents are proud of.

Mary Armstrong, Chairperson of the Irk Valley Tenants and Residents Association said: “Having an estate we can all be proud of which is well looked after, has not only helped to free the estate of anti-social behaviour but has helped to bring residents together. The work Morrison done has played an important part in keeping this process going and has saved me and my fellow residents many weeks of hard work. We are very grateful to everyone who has helped out it has been truly amazing, to see so many people getting stuck in to get the work done.”

The other half of the team helped to restore the play equipment and fencing around theSmeaton Streetplay area. The play area is used by a large number of local children but had become a little run down due to vandalism and graffiti. It is hoped that the new restored playground will not only offer local children a nicer place to play but will also help to deter vandals. 

Commenting on the projects, Morrison Chief Executive Guy Wakeley said: “Morrison carries out a wide range of community projects across the country every year, but it is rare that our leaders get the chance to be fully involved in these activities.

“Having decided to hold our annual leadership conference inManchesterwe thought this was an ideal opportunity to give everyone the chance to get out into one of our local communities and support them.

“Looking after and helping to develop the communities in which we work is a vital part of our business and it is fantastic that all our leaders from across the country have been able to pull together to make these projects a success. The whole team really enjoyed taking part and seeing the transformation taking place, we would particularly like to wish Mary and her team every success in the Britain in Bloom competition.”