Waltham Forest College students give back to the community by taking on a cleaning project to help save wildlife

Waltham Forest College students came out in full support to help improve the outdoor immunity space for the wildlife and the local community at Waterside Centre,

Stonebridge Lock.

For the past two years, the College have supported and actively participated in the clean-up project to help improve the environmental conditions for the wildlife at the canal. Students took time out from their day-to-day learning activities to offer a helping hand in cleaning the river banks, which attracts various wildlife animals.

The cleaning project has been funded by The Greener City Fund, The Environment Agency and the Canary Trust totalling £50,000m which comes in good time considering the endangerment of wildlife species near the river bed of the canal.

The project focuses on clearing the oil rubbish as well as the debris from the channel to build new weed beds to be installed by the end of July; this will protect the swans from residing in polluted waters and at the same time improve the outdoor immunity space for the local communities.

Sports student, Isaac Sid-Lopez, was excited and pleased to be able to volunteer and help with the clean-up project. He said: “Our College teaches us about community engagement activities and this project not only allowed me to offer something back to my community, it got me thinking about other projects I can get involved in”

Lecturer, Jarl Allard said: “It was a joy to support my students partake in this local community project, the 175-meter-long floating weed will not only create a refuge for the wildlife but it will ultimately save the wildlife from being permanently extinct.”

Former alumni, Terri Stacy White, also returned to help out with the project after missing out on the opportunity last year due to an injury. She said, “It’s such a good experience; even though I am no longer a student at the College, I couldn’t miss this opportunity to help save the wildlife.”

Project organiser Genevieve said, “Last year the students did a litter pick and to have them back again is amazing! The students are very proactive and their ability to organise themselves, lead and self-motivate each other is nothing short of inspiring.