Harrogate Community Invited To Take Part In Four Days Of Action
Businesses, community groups, volunteers and local organisations are being invited to come together this September for a new initiative to help improve Harrogate town centre.
Harrogate BID is organising the first Harrogate Action Days, taking place from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 September, bringing people together for four days of practical volunteering across the town.
The initiative will see businesses, community groups, local organisations and individual volunteers work alongside Harrogate BID on a range of projects designed to make a visible difference to the town.
Activities could include litter picking and street sweeping, weeding and planting, refreshing planters, cleaning street furniture, removing graffiti, painting utility boxes where permissions allow, reporting maintenance issues and supporting small environmental improvement projects.
Harrogate BID is coordinating the Action Days, working with local partners and volunteers to identify suitable projects, organise activities and provide opportunities for people to get involved.
Jason Maxwell, CEO of Harrogate BID, said;
“Harrogate Action Days are about bringing people together to take practical action and take pride in the town we all share. There are lots of ways to get involved, whether you can spare an hour or a full day, and we hope businesses, community groups and individuals will get behind the initiative.
“There’s a real opportunity here to bring back a sense of civic pride and encourage people to take an active role in looking after the town they live and work in. We know that councils are facing significant financial pressures and difficult decisions around how resources are used, but Harrogate Action Days aren’t about taking away from or replacing the work that the council does. They’re about asking what we can do together, as businesses and as a community, to make a positive difference to the place we all share.”
A target of 80 hours of action
For the first Action Days, Harrogate BID has set an initial target of 80 hours of volunteering.
With 20 people volunteering for four hours each, the town could benefit from 80 hours of practical action across the four-day initiative.
However, the BID says the initiative is about more than the number of hours contributed. It is intended to encourage community involvement, build pride in Harrogate and demonstrate how small contributions can add up to a bigger difference.
The BID hopes Harrogate Action Days can become a regular opportunity for the community to come together and contribute to the town.
Businesses are particularly being encouraged to consider taking part as a corporate volunteering opportunity, giving teams the chance to spend time working on practical projects together.
Volunteers do not need specialist DIY skills and training will be provided where required. Tools and protective equipment will also be provided.
Get Involved
Harrogate BID is inviting BID businesses, community groups, local organisations, residents and individuals to register their interest.
There will be a range of activities and volunteering opportunities, from an hour to a full day, with different types of work available to suit different ages and abilities.
Anyone wishing to take part should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk before Friday 11 September. Further information about activities, meeting points and available sessions will then be provided.
Places are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
