Community action makes a visible difference in Exeter city centre
Latest Neighbourhood Action Day brings together more than 30 volunteers to improve North and South Street and show pride in the city they share.
More than 30 people took part in the latest Neighbourhood Action Day on Wednesday 3 June, giving over 90 hours of their time to help improve Exeter city centre despite the rain. Their efforts showed the real, visible difference community action can make.
Small actions making a big difference
Organised by InExeter, the Business Improvement District for Exeter city centre, Neighbourhood Action Days bring together residents, businesses, charities and students to clean and refresh the city centre. Activities include weeding, planting, litter picking and renovating street furniture, with all equipment and refreshments provided so anyone can get involved. Now in its third year, the initiative continues to grow through word of mouth, with returning volunteers and new participants joining each action day to play their part in improving Exeter.
Mia Willmott, Project Manager at InExeter and organiser of Neighbourhood Action Days, said:
"We are dedicated to supporting local businesses and improving Exeter’s streetscape. Even small actions can lead to big changes, and these days of community action make a real difference while building pride in our city. They show what can be achieved when people come together because they love where they live and want to help make Exeter the best it can be."
The initiative also works well for businesses looking to support their communities, with many employers now offering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) days that give staff time to volunteer for local causes.
Together, volunteers repainted four wooden flower planters that were installed and planted last year, refreshed three metal benches, and carried out extensive weeding along the street. By the end of the day, two large dumpy bags had been filled with waste, leaving the area cleaner, brighter and more welcoming for everyone who uses it.
A group of volunteers from Guildhall Shopping Centre joined the day alongside Guildhall Centre Manager Ginny Fellows. Ginny said: "Being part of Guildhall Shopping Centre, we are keen to do as much as we can for the community. We want the city to look its best for everyone who lives, works and visits here, so being able to give something back in this way is incredibly important to us."
Zoe Hughes, Community Builder for St David’s, also joined the action day and said: "It’s a really positive event. People from all walks of life come together, the environment looks better, and it makes you feel more proud of the area you live in. It shows that everyone can play a part in making the city the best it can be."
Many volunteers have returned after taking part in previous Neighbourhood Action Days, including Exeter College, which joined this time with a group of students. One of them, Kiera, said: “I really enjoyed just brightening the place up, making it look tidy and nice for the public. It was really fun working with different people too.”
Neighbourhood Action Days are driven by partnership, with InExeter leading the initiative with support from Exeter City Council’s Parks and Green Spaces Team, who provide tools and help clear the waste collected on the day. It is a collaborative effort that shows what can be achieved when organisations and communities work side by side.
Get involved and make a difference
So far this year, two Neighbourhood Action Days have taken place, with the final two still to come - on 24 June on Paris Street and 16 September on Musgrave Row. Anyone over the age of 18 who would like to get involved can sign up at bit.ly/InExeterNAD2026.
