After a busy few months of gathering ideas, narrowing them down, and counting a huge number of customer votes, the winner of this year’s Calico Community Choice has been decided.
We’re really pleased to share that the Burnley Regeneration Project has come out on top, and at the heart of the project is Helen Heap, whose commitment to improving Burnley’s green spaces has made a real impression on local residents.
Working almost entirely on her own, Helen has spent the last two years clearing litter, tackling fly tipping, and bringing neglected patches of land back to life. Her work has already made a visible difference in Whittlefield with Ightenhill, and she has big plans to spread that impact much wider.
A huge congratulations to Helen, who said: “I am a lifelong resident of Burnley and, for the last two years, I have been working alone voluntarily to reclaim the green spaces and remove litter and fly tipping across my area, Whittlefield with Ightenhill.
“For too long, Burnley has been known nationally as a deprived mill town when, in fact, we have the most green spaces per head in the country.
“I am now duplicating my work in right across Burnley, so I am thrilled to have been successful in securing this funding. This money will enable me to purchase additional tools and access further training, allowing me to continue my work throughout the town.
“At the project’s end, Burnley will no longer be known as a deprived mill town, but as the Capital of Green Spaces. Clean, green and pristine!”
The £1,500 funding will help Helen take the next step: buying the tools she needs, accessing training, and continuing her mission to give Burnley the recognition it deserves for its green spaces. It’s a very local, very personal project, but one that clearly struck a chord with residents across the town.
For anyone inspired by Helen’s work, there are numerous opportunities to get involved. Whether it’s joining one of her litter picks or organising something small in your own area, every bit of effort helps. Community Choice is all about people coming together to make things better where they live, and this year has shown once again just how powerful that can be.
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. Your support doesn’t just choose a winner, it helps shape what happens next in our neighbourhoods.