‘Season of (Street) Kindness’ launched in London
As 2024 is drawing to a close, Haringey Council are reminding locals how important it is to appreciate individuals who work to keep the borough clean and safe.
The festive period is a time to give back and show appreciation for the important people in your life. Often these individuals are your family and friends, although Haringey Council have taken it upon themselves to shine a light on the unsung heroes who have poured their efforts into keeping the borough clean and safe this year.
The local authority have launched the ‘Season of (Street) Kindness’ campaign which invites residents to share messages of gratitude for waste operatives who face challenges during the winter months.
For example, between November 2023 and October 2023 the council recorded 14 incidents of abuse against waste staff – 10 targeting waste collection crews and four involving street cleansing operatives.
What’s more, there were 20 incidents of verbal abuse towards contact centre staff, with one recent case involving a street cleanser being physically attacked and hospitalised.
‘Our waste operatives work tirelessly every day to keep our borough clean, and a little kindness can make a big difference,’ Cllr Seema Chandwani, cabinet member for tackling inequality and resident services, said. ‘We’re always encouraging residents to share their views and collaborate with us to make Haringey cleaner, and this time, we’re asking them to share kind words of appreciation for our operatives and the vital work they do.’
Cllr Chandwani continued: ‘These teams play a crucial role in our community, especially during the busy winter months. It’s unacceptable that they often face abuse while working so hard for all of us.’
To take part in the programme, residents can submit their kind words through an online form, which can be accessed here.
‘This campaign is an opportunity for all of us to pause and recognise their dedication and the important work they do every single say,’ Cllr Chandwani added.
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