Written by Milly Hill, undergraduate student in the School of Health Sciences 

In the spirit of Earth Day and motivated by a shared enthusiasm for all things environmental sustainability (ES), the School of Health Sciences (SHS) ES Champions Network hosted a litter pick on a sunny afternoon in April.  

We assembled outside the Whitworth Art Gallery aiming to make the space tidier and encourage others to take environmental action. The group consisted of six high-spirited volunteers; myself, a student representative, as well as staff who have been long-term members: Peter Taylor, Alex Prodan, Harriet Bickley, Sally Freeman and Anisa Visram. 

Equipped with gloves, bags and litter pickers we set off through Whitworth Park. A litter pick had been hosted at the park the week prior, so volunteers were not sure how much was left to find. Nevertheless, the team managed to collect six bags full of litter! Everything from plastic bottles to Big Mac wrappers, lighters and sweet packets. Alex Prodan even reported some unsafe litter to the council to make the park a safer place for families with children. 

I have recently taken on the role of Student Representative for the SHS ES Champions Network, and this was the first time I had had the pleasure of meeting some of the members on the team. It was lovely to be thanked by cheerful passers-by for the work we were doing, and the sunshine was a bonus! I look forward to continuing my work with the team by running a stall at the Universally Manchester Festival on the 14th of June and continue to promote what the team stands for and the amazing things they are up to! 

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