Get in there…Goal!

Published by Kerrie Beck for Longhurst Group in Communities and also in Environment, Housing

Staff from Friendship Care and Housing (Friendship) volunteered to help renovate and revive a community football pitch at Nelson Mandela Park, Balsall Heath, Birmingham recently, which was organised by the Balsall Heath Forum.

The 5-a-side football pitch was given a truly earned spruce up and the walls surrounding the pitch got a good lick of paint too. The paint was kindly donated by Dulux and pupils from the local Nelson Mandela Primary School got to choose the wall colours.

All week people helped out, painting, clearing and tidying. Other volunteers included staff from Moseley and District Housing, Midland Heart, Groundwork, St Pauls Community Trust and local children and residents. Offenders from the Community Payback Scheme were also there to lend a hand.

Sian Ray, Friendship’s Neighbourhood Impact Assistant said “We volunteered because the pitch and the nearby play area is used by many of our customers. Brightening it up will hopefully enrich the experience for the children and families who use it.”