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Lucy Ashton
Can trees hold the key to cutting anti-social behaviour, improving health and boosting our quality of life? One Sheffield woman has hit on an innovative way of transforming communities - with a little help from a few saplings. Karen, a community forester who covers Brightside and Shiregreen, is part of the trees and woodland section at Sheffield Council .She gets kids involved in planting trees, which sounds simple but has a far-reaching effect. The trees brighten up the neighbourhood and boost community spirit. And by getting local youths on board, it means they are occupied during the long summer holiday and are less inclined to vandalise the trees afterwards." The key is to get the kids involved," explained Karen. "When I told residents about planting the trees a lot of them said they would be trashed overnight, but if you invite the youths along to help, it makes a big difference."
