Oaklawns estate out in force cleaning their neighbourhood

Residents of Oaklawns estate in Navan came together for a community clean-up today (21st August) making sure they left the place spotless.

Oaklawns, home to 114 residents, has held these clean-ups for five years in a row with all age groups taking part to make their neighbourhood a better place.

Those who joined in and helped out their community were thanked with complimentary gift bags, bottles, and a slice of pizza for their hard work.

The event was organised by Meath Partnership, who run a drop-in centre from the Community Building, alongside Respond, a construction-led Approved Housing Body and service provider, and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).

The outreach centre also provides space for community groups, courses and one-to-one meetings for local programmes. On top of this there are plans for a community allotment garden in the estate which will give people a place to grow food and meet their neighbours.

Sports development officer Paula Cunningham was out cleaning the streets and even set up sporting activities for the kids while they took their break, spreading awareness of the Navan community sports hub. Paula said the sports hub was made “to get the people in these communities involved in sport.”

SICAP projects officer Helen McQaude said these clean-ups also benefit the community because it “brings everyone together”.

“Networking, making new friends, learning about how to enjoy yourself outdoors and awareness of biodiversity and the environment and just keeping everything nice and tidy so that everybody can use the green areas together.

Helen said the sports initiative is also amazing because “The kids love running around and there is this lovely area here that you’d like to use a little bit more so a game of football for half an hour in the evening is good for everybody.”