Communities tidier thanks to Wheatley Homes South’s environmental teams

Wheatley Homes South’s Neighbourhood Environment Team (NETs) was launched in Dumfries and Galloway in July 2021 and has transformed neighbourhoods across the region.

In 2023 alone, over 1500 tonnes of waste has been lifted and over 7600 stairwells cleaned. The team has also worked on more than 4000 gardens over the past 12 months.

The creation of an environmental team across the region was a commitment made to tenants when it became part of Wheatley Group, Scotland’s leading housing, care and property-management group.

The NETs also dealt with 1435 requests from customers across the region for support with other types of environmental work in and around their homes.

Earlier this year, it was announced that 16 Wheatley Homes South customers had been trained to assess green spaces and identify any areas where improvement can be made, thanks to a partnership between the social landlord and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Doreen Hepburn, 55 from Annan, who is one of the Keep Scotland Beautiful assessors said: “The Neighbourhood Environmental Team is very approachable, friendly and helpful. If they can help with your requests, they will.

“They keep the area where I live nice and tidy and if I ever have a request for them, I just ask and, if they can help, they will.”

Alan Glasgow, Managing Director of Wheatley Homes South, said: “We are very proud of the NETs for the difference they have made in communities across Dumfries and Galloway.

“They have delivered a wide range of activities across the region in the last 12 months. Whether that is cleaning closes and cutting grass through to supporting with community events, bulk uplift collection, upcycling, creating community garden spaces and dealing with more than 1400 additional requests from customers.

“The response from our customers to the teams’ efforts has been overwhelmingly positive. It demonstrates the difference their work makes in our communities.”