A Wavertree entry was transformed into a beautiful garden by the community.
Neighbours living in Wavertree have come together to transform a once rubbish-filled and overgrown alleyway into a haven they can all enjoy and be proud of.
Jacqui Haddock began the local clean-up project 18 months ago as a way to keep the alleyways in her area clean. She explained that something needed to be done and the best way to get the ball moving was to start the work herself.
Read Next: Huge new food and drink market to open near Liverpool this year
She said: “There's been a problem with rats and a way of dealing with this is keeping places clean, not with rubbish everywhere. I just thought to myself 'that's such a waste of space, there's so much we could be doing with the alleyways.'”
Starting off with a broomstick and a few plant pots, more and more people began to join Jacqui and the alleyway soon flourished.
As a way to boost the cause and get to know her neighbours after moving to Liverpool, Jacqui put together a Facebook group, Love Your Alleyway L15. She told the ECHO: “One of the main reasons I started to get involved was to get to know people. Now we’ve got a nice group of neighbours where you can go to them if you have a problem.”
She added: “We have a solid group of us that meet regularly, have a tidy up, and swap ideas.”
Since starting the alleyway group, Jacqui and the Wavertree community have secured donations from the local council and Love Wavertree. Jacqui, who has previously worked alongside Love Wavertree, applied for funding for the alleyways and received money from a funding pot intended for community projects.
Jacqui told the ECHO that people might be hesitant to get involved out of fear that others might steal their planters or ruin their hard work, however, the best way forward is to persevere. She said: “A lot of people do want to do it but find it hard to get involved, people aren't confident enough to start on their own. Hopefully, it will have a snowball effect.
“Sometimes you can clean it up and somebody will move stuff and dump a load of stuff in the alley. But since planters have been out, less people are dumping because people can see that others are making an effort. People are respecting it now because it looks so nice, generally. The areas have been a lot cleaner.”
The community’s goals for the future are to get more people involved and hopefully build a few tables and benches for neighbours to gather and enjoy the communal space.
Her advice to others who want to get involved with their local alleyway cleanup, is to keep it clean, put a couple of plant pots out, and just go for it because other people will want to join in too.
READ MORE:
12 Merseyside venues shortlisted for British Restaurant Awards
Multi million pound The Lake House opening with striking coastal view
Restaurant once 'rotten with damp' now gets 'excellent' reviews
Italian chef moves to Liverpool to open restaurant after 'falling in love' during brief visit
We tried supermarket burgers from Marks and Spencer, Asda, Iceland and there was a clear winner
