Member Article

HYPE Merseyside teams up with Upton McDonald’s for day of "social action"

Birkenhead event the first in a series of ‘social action’ days organised by HYPE to improve green spaces across Merseyside

Birkenhead-based social enterprise, HYPE Merseyside, has teamed up with a local branch of fast food giant McDonald’s, to instigate a ‘social action’ day to improve some of the region’s green spaces, as part of its Vibrant Parks project.

On Thursday 18th March, seven members of staff from McDonald’s Upton branch joined members of the HYPE Merseyside team to take on tasks such as gardening, litter picking and painting in Birkenhead Park.

The event marked a full year since HYPE’s Vibrant Parks initiative has been delivered, with the project previously being on pause due to COVID-19. With lockdown now easing, a series of similar social action days, led by HYPE Merseyside, will take place in coming months across parks and green spaces in Merseyside.

Matthew Houghton, from HYPE Merseyside, said: “Over the past year, with COVID-19 restrictions, our local parks and green spaces have become vital to our wellbeing. They are places where we’ve been able to walk, run and cycle, meet with friends and family and visit to enjoy some fresh air.

“Looking after these spaces has never been more important and it’s great to see the team at McDonalds volunteering their time to ensure our local parks are tidy and looking tip top.

“The company is setting a great example by directing time and money at activity in local areas. We urge other businesses to do the same by investing time, money and vital CSR activity in ways that make an impact locally or on the environment.

“As a community, we are all responsible for looking after our parks and green spaces and by coming together for a day of social action, we’ve shown just what can be achieved when we all work together and do our bit.”

Jordan Crane, Assistant Manager from McDonald’s Upton, said: “We pride ourselves in taking an active role in our local community. We’ve loved working with the HYPE Merseyside to give Birkenhead Park a little bit of extra TLC, so residents and visitors alike can enjoy spending time there as the weather begins to improve.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nikki Girvan .