Manchester, a vibrant and bustling city, is known for its rich industrial history and picturesque waterways… However, like any urban centre, it faces its share of environmental challenges. In an inspiring display of community engagement and eco-consciousness, two team members from Synapse360, Grace and Georgia and Charlotte, our colleague from Manx Telecom took it upon themselves to make a significant difference on their annual Make a Difference Day (MAD). Their initiative aimed to improve the local environment, particularly the Manchester Canal, and enhance biodiversity in the city’s waterways. Let’s explore how they all team came together to promote a cleaner and greener future for their beloved community.
Grace, Charlotte and Georgia, are all passionate advocates of environmental conservation, and have been contemplating ways to give back to their community and have been looking for an opportunity to make a positive impact that extended beyond their office walls. As employees of the Manx Telecom Group they found the perfect platform to make use of their annual Make a Difference Day (MAD). A paid day of leave, allocated to each employee within Synapse360, OV and Manx Telecom which they can use to volunteer for causes which they care about in their local community.
Making a Difference
On the morning of their Make a Difference Day, the team assembled along the banks of the Manchester Canal, armed with their cleaning gear and a collective determination to restore the waterway’s natural beauty. With their litter pickers in hand, plastic gloves firmly on and bin bags at the ready, our team of eco-warriors, set out on their litter-picking journey, they encountered a wide array of discarded items, from plastic bottles and cans to larger debris such as wheels and car parts that had been polluting the water.
The clean up process was not without its challenges. The team encountered areas that were difficult to access due to overgrown vegetation and uneven terrain. As they cleaned, the team also engaged with passers by, spreading awareness about the importance of keeping the waterways clean and the impact of litter on the local ecosystem with many offering words of encouragement to the team for their efforts.
An Overall Success
At the end of a fulfilling day, Grace, Georgia, Charlotte and the other 20+ volunteers from businesses in Manchester and families locally which had joined in with the Sealife Manchester, Canal Clean Up collected an impressive amount of litter, transforming the appearance of Manchester Canal in the process. Their efforts not only contributed to the aesthetic improvement but also had a significant impact on the local biodiversity. By clearing the water of harmful debris, they created a safer habitat for aquatic life and birds that call the canal home.
If you would like to take part in a canal clean up in association with the team at Sea Life Manchester click here to discover more.
Well done Team!
