The Adopt An Area Litter Picking Scheme
Header photo by Jamie Gould
THE ADOPT AN AREA LITTER PICKING SCHEME
Join the Adopt an Area scheme and help keep Richmond Park free from litter.
How does Adopt an Area work?
Richmond Park has been divided into 29 individual areas, each of which has been adopted by a dedicated volunteer or volunteers who litter pick in that area regularly.
They are backed up by ‘Roaming’ volunteer litter pickers who litter pick in any area of the Park whenever they choose.
We provide the necessary equipment – Litter picking stick, gloves, litter bags and a Friends’ Volunteer vest overprinted with the Friends’ logo and ‘Volunteer, Working in partnership with Royal Parks’.
Essential Information
To volunteer to become a litter picker you need to be a member of the Friends so that you are covered by our insurance. If you are not yet a member you can join here: FRP Membership Page
Then use the Volunteer Application Form and, if relevant, an under 18 form for e.g. a Duke of Edinburgh Scheme volunteer, from the Volunteering page on our website and follow the instructions on that page.
Any potential problems you might encounter while picking litter are set out in the Adopt an Area Risk Assessment Document which all volunteers must read before being able to join the Adopt an Area Scheme.
To dispose of your litter bag, place it in one of the Park’s litter bins where it will be picked up by the Park’s litter contractors. Do not leave your litter bag next to a bin as it is likely to be ripped open by birds or animals, especially overnight, which will undo all your good work.
Supplies of litter bags are available free from the Richmond Park Visitor Centre by Pembroke Lodge by asking a member of staff for them.
Contact details
If there are any issues or items you can’t deal with, such as needles or ‘sharps’, chemical or biological waste or items that are too heavy, report them with as much detail as possible to the Park Management by phoning their Holly Lodge office on 0300 061 2200 (8.00am to 4.30pm Monday-Friday). They will arrange for the items or waste to be cleared. Outside these hours, email: [email protected] or, if necessary, contact the Park Police on 101 or the duty Police mobile 07920 586 546. In an emergency dial 999.
Download a map of the areas
Keeping in touch
After you have started we’ll keep in touch and do share your experience by e-mailing [email protected]