Volunteers' Week 2022: Meet Linda, A Determined Gran who has Dedicated 31 Years to Community Action

‘It makes me want to get up in the morning’ says litter picker Linda

A grandmother who has volunteered in her community for 31 years has been thanked by Keep Britain Tidy as the charity highlights her achievements to mark Volunteering Week.

Linda Hines MBE, 71, from Perry Common in Birmingham, turned to volunteering at a difficult period of her life.

She was informed in 1991 that the home she shared with, and had specially adapted for, her disabled husband would be among 908 homes to be demolished.

Linda joined a resident’s group because she wanted to learn skills to help her be confident dealing with professional people like planners and architects during this process.

Her passion for her community quickly led to her becoming involved in many other groups.

She was involved in the setting up of the Witton Lodge Community Association which owns 197 homes, oversees new building programmes, and allocates homes, and is now Chair of the Association!

This led to Linda’s involvement with a local beauty spot, Witton Lakes, where she has led countless litter picks, supported by Keep Britain Tidy’s WatersideCare programme.

She launched a Duckling Watch scheme – patrols by residents aged from two to 91 – to protect the wildlife there, and helped set up a community choir.

In 2009 Linda was awarded an MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace!

Today she said: “I’ve made so many friends and learned about a vast range of different things, e.g. construction, procurement, successful consultation techniques. My life is so much richer for volunteering!

“My mental wellbeing has improved, and my self-confidence has increased so much. Much of my voluntary work includes walking, and I feel fitter than when I was 30!”

Volunteering Week takes place from 1 to 7 June every year, and is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers like Tom make to our communities and thank them.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive Allison-Ogden-Newton, said: “What makes Linda’s contribution even more special is that her volunteering and all her achievements were borne out of adversity in her life, and it’s admirable that she used her energy during that time to volunteer and improve her skills.

“We want to thank Linda and all of our #LitterHeroes volunteers and volunteer judges who protect our environment and wildlife, help our green and blue spaces to thrive and who make our charity the vibrant and dedicated organisation it is today.”

Volunteers’ Week is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities, who together run hundreds of activities across the UK. These activities showcase and celebrate volunteers and the contribution volunteering makes in our communities.