The residents from Ashbrook Court Care Home on Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, have spent the past six months taking part in monthly litter-picking outings.
The scheme has not only helped keep their neighbourhood tidy but has created new friendships.
Robin Carter, 70, a resident who moved into the home 11 months ago, said: “I like litter picking and giving back to the community.
“We always fill a couple of bags.
“It’s not easy work because it’s a lot of bending over, but we don’t do it for the thanks, we do it because we enjoy it.
“It’s nice to be at the home and to make new friends.”
Mr Carter has developed a close bond with fellow resident Peter Bartoszuk, 81, through their shared love of nature and giving back to their local area.
Mr Bartoszuk said: “Litter is something that just annoys me.
“It doesn’t take much trouble for us to throw a little in the bin to keep the park clean, and I always feel better for having done it.”
The idea to start litter picking came from the residents themselves.
Lorna Morey, lifestyle coordinator at Ashbrook Court, said: “During one of our visits back in June, the residents were saying, ‘Isn’t it terrible that there’s rubbish around when there are bins here? We could help.’
“And the idea grew from there.”
She said: “They know they’ve made a contribution to the town.
“As we go, we all enjoy chatting with locals in the park, they usually stop to thank us or to have a chat.
“Sometimes they shake our hands and sometimes they joke that we’ve missed a bit.”
The care home reached out to Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, who now give the home free use of the car park, and residents are looking forward to attending the wildlife and birdwatching talks in the spring.
The litter-picking days have become a popular social event, often ending with lunch out, which is usually a well earned drink with pie and mash.
