Streets in Stoke town are being kept safer and cleaner thanks to the work of environmental ambassador Dan Dick, who has singlehandedly removed 4.5 tonnes of litter in less than five months.
Dan has been in post since August 2025 and has played a key role in helping make Stoke a cleaner environment for people to live, work and socialise in. The aim of his role as Stoke Town Environmental Ambassador is to keep public spaces clean, safe and well maintained, while responding quickly to anything that needs attention.
Impact of the High Street Accelerator
His appointment has been made possible by the city council’s government-funded High Street Accelerator programme, working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID. Stoke was one of only 10 towns nationwide awarded this funding, which has been used to revitalise the town centre through greenspace schemes, heritage projects, and murals.
Since taking up the role, Dan’s achievements include:
- Collecting and disposing of 4.5 tonnes of rubbish.
- Safely removing 76 needles.
- Removing 18 bedding items and 13 graffiti incidents.
- Reporting 25 environmental issues, including fly-tipping and damaged property.
"The work I do isn't always glamorous and not always appreciated, but this isn't about praise and rewards - I do it because I care. Seeing an area improve because you've put the graft in... is the real reward. Stoke is a great place and we should all take pride in it."
— Dan Dick, Stoke Town Environmental Ambassador
A Safer City
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, praised the dedication shown in the role:
“Dan has worked hard and showed great dedication to keeping the streets of Stoke safe and tackling issues within the town. In just six months, he has already achieved so much and made it a source of pride and an attractive place to live and visit."
The initiative remains part of a broader commitment by the city council to create a healthier, safer city for all residents.
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