Housebuilder colleagues carry out beach clean up

Colleagues from Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes have been swapping their day jobs for bin bags - by volunteering with Teignbridge District Council.

The finance team took to the beach at Dawlish Warren as part of a clean up event organised by the local council.

“Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes offer staff the opportunity for time away from their day jobs to take part in some local volunteering - and our finance team wanted to do something that would benefit local communities,” said Matthew Bennett, finance director. 

“The effects of waste littering our seas and beaches is something we are all aware of. If we all start to make small changes to our behaviours and local environments we can collectively have a positive impact, and that’s exactly what drove the finance team to choose such a great project.

Finance manager Kee Tse said, “We all found the event very rewarding, it was great to feel as though we’d done something that helps maintain this beautiful area. We found an abundance of single use plastic, especially bottle tops and lollipop sticks. These things pose a risk to our wildlife and it’s disheartening to see but we are encouraged by the positive response we had on the day and since.”

A Teignbridge District Council spokesperson said: “We really appreciate the support different groups provide throughout the year in helping to keep the beach clean by picking up a vast array of waste. We are grateful to Barratt Homes and everyone else who has helped over recent months. Any group interested in helping should contact greenspaces@teignbridge.gov.uk  in advance so that we can provide appropriate support to ensure no harm comes to any litter pickers.”