Spotlight on #LitterHeroes Ambassadors Ashton Samuels and El Clarke

Our #LitterHeroes Ambassadors and regional programme group leaders go above and beyond to advocate for their local environment and engage their communities in litter-picking. Each month, we’ll shine a spotlight on some of our incredible volunteers. This month, we’re celebrating Ashton Samuels and El Clarke, the couple behind litter-picking community, Clean Our Patch.  

"Back in 2018, we had noticed the litter problem getting worse in Plymouth.” They told us, “At about the same time, El was having some difficulties at work and they were making her very depressed.”  

With El’s quality of life diminished, her husband Ash was looking for something that would get her out of the house and suggested litter-picking on the street they live on. After that first pick, they posted a photo on social media and a friend commented that if they did it again, to let them know – so that’s what they did.  

Within a few weeks there was a small group going out weekly in Keyham, with some travelling from different areas of the city to get involved. This seemed a bit unfair, so Ash and El started to travel to different parts of the city to litter-pick, and before long, they had come up with their own ambassador programme where people could sign up to lead a group pick once a month in their community.  

And so, the Clean Our Patch network was born. In the six years since the programme was launched, 43 groups have formed in Plymouth and South Hams, with El and Ash managing all the behind-the-scenes work.  

They’ve also launched an education programme which has engaged 47 schools and supplied nearly 1,000 sets of litter-picking kit. 

“Accessibility has been key to the success. If you make things easy to take part in, more people will engage.” The pair told us, explaining that doing the work of engaging with local councils, fundraising, and organising litter-picks means that their groups can concentrate on the activity itself.  

What advice would Ash and El give to those thinking of setting up their own litter-picking group?  

“Get the right links in the local council. They may have a programme you can partake in. To find the right person you can go through your local councillors.” the pair told us, “Decide what sort of group you want to be, are there other similar local groups that you can collaborate with? They too may have advice about what works in your local area.” 

Ultimately, founding Clean Our Patch has had a huge, positive impact not only on the local environment, but on the lives of Ash, El and many of the volunteers they work alongside.  

“Litter-picking becomes a bit of a lifestyle and we have formed so many friendships, contacts and even a standing in the community.” They told us, before joking that budding litter-pickers that they may “become a bit addicted to litter.” 

“Clean Our Patch has become one big, diverse, litter-picking family where everyone is included and valued for what they are able to do. Many have forged friendship groups, become less isolated, had peer support with mental health difficulties and become more physical by joining us. Clean Our Patch is bigger than litter-picking. It is a community.” 

At Keep Britain Tidy, we want to thank Ash, El, and their Clean Our Patch network for the difference they are making to the environment in Plymouth and beyond.  

#LitterHeroes Programme Manager Emily Parr said “The reach and impact of Clean Our Patch is phenomenal. Ash and El have grown something incredibly special through their commitment and outstanding dedication; a model which other litter-picking groups could learn a lot from. Their innovative ideas and ability to continually grow Clean Our Patch are nothing short of inspirational.” 

Applications are currently closed for our #LitterHeroes Ambassador programme, but if you’re a litter-picker and you want to keep up-to-date, you can register as a #LitterHero. You’ll get the latest litter-picking news, campaigns and events, access to exclusive resources, and you’ll be the first to hear when applications to join our #LitterHeroes Ambassador programme open.