An increase in social problems has led to a surge in the amount of fly-tipping in local neighbourhoods and fewer volunteers willing to take action, according to a community litter-picker.

Volunteers believe the situation has progressed steadily since Covid-19 as people’s social situations have worsened.

Jenny Van Tinteren, 71, a volunteer for Action for Stannington, said: “Our difficulties are recruiting more volunteers.

“We have also noticed that there’s an increasing problem with fly tipping.

“I really think it’s all wound up with social problems, and until you start improving some of those I don’t think the situation will improve.”

Action for Stannington carries out regular litter picks in Stannington Park and cuts back hedges and overgrown paths to make the area safer for both the community and the wildlife.

A decrease in the number of volunteers has led to the group having to reduce the amount of services it can offer. 

Ms Van Tinteren said that they cannot do all the things they would like to do.

She said they could no longer offer to help people who cannot afford a gardener as the amount of volunteers has “fallen off massively”.

And she explained that they have noticed that there is an increasing problem surrounding litter, as “people’s ability to get rid of waste is quite depleted now”.

Ms Van Tinteren added: “It’s so awful and depressing and its impact on wildlife is so bad.

“We do need to care.”

Bradfield Parish Council and local companies have been supporting the work of Action for Stannington for many years, providing an annual grant in exchange for partnership work.

These grants along with money raised by volunteers has allowed Action for Stannington to complete projects to benefit their community, such as replacing broken fences and buying extra litter bins.