Ben, Stephen and Mick lead the way on environmental and community work in Arklow

Ben, Stephen and Mick who use Autism Initiatives Ireland services in Arklow are helping to protect and preserve the natural environment in their local area as part of their support plans.

Stephen has joined the local Coast Care group, Tidy Towns and has been joined by Mick in litter picking activities at the beach. Ben and Mick have got involved in Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme and are encouraging everyone at the service to follow their lead in recycling.

Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG Operations Director Ted Bourke said: “It’s wonderful to see the people we support taking the time to raise awareness of green issues and getting involved in the local community. They are an inspiration to us all as we seek to expand our green initiatives.”

Ben and Stephen, who go to The Meadows service have started on returning bottles and cans with the team as part of their support plans. They were inspired to do this when Irelands Deposit Return Scheme Initiative was introduced earlier in 2024, and the team at The Meadows were happy to support them to achieve their goals.

The nationwide scheme means that anyone who buys a drink in a plastic bottle, aluminium or steel can that features the Re-turn logo, pays a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When the empty and undamaged drink container is returned to participating shops and supermarkets, the person receives their deposit back in full.  This was introduced to help protect the environment by reducing litter and waste. As a circular economy initiative, the aim is to move away from the ‘take make and dispose’ culture to one of returning valuable materials, and keeping them in use for as long as possible.

Stephen is involved in Arklow Tidy Towns which is a community and volunteer-led group to improve the environment and town where the service is based.  Arklow Tidy Towns was established as part of Coast Care. This group encourages local people to care for their coastal environments, by organising safe and enjoyable conservation activities like as beach clean-ups, awareness raising and essential landscape maintenance all over the town on a daily basis.

Senior Social Care Worker Paul Davies said:  “Stephen has been busy cleaning up the the town and helping with the planting of baskets and containers. He really enjoys being part of the group and being made welcome by them. He also joins them for refreshments when the hard work is done!”

Staff member Lynda Shealy is very involved in the local community herself and supports Stephen with this when he stays at his service for some weekends.

Both Mick and Stephen take part in the weekly beach clean. Arklow’s South Beach is one of 70 Green Coast Award recipients nationwide, and is the only beach with Green Flag status in the County of Wicklow.

Senior Social Care Worker Paul Davies said:  “The team take pride in their local beach, and love to help out on a weekly basis. They join a lovely friendly group of volunteers from the community. As well as helping to keep the area free from litter, it is a wonderful excuse for some exercise on the beach, and we also have a picnic if the weather is fine.”

We hope you are feeling as inspired as we are by Ben, Mick and Stephen’s commitment to improving and maintaining their local environment and the eco-system as a whole.