Community Initiatives

ArtSweep and Vehicle Naming Competitions

Each year, we host our popular ArtSweep and Vehicle Naming Competitions, working with primary schools across the borough to inspire creativity, community pride and environmental responsibility among young residents.

The competition gives children the opportunity to learn more about the vital work we do to keep Hounslow clean, safe and sustainable, while highlighting the important role everyone can play in looking after their local environment. Through engaging resources and an informative activity pack, students explore topics such as anti-littering, protecting the planet and the innovative work of our eco-friendly fleet.

Pupils are invited to create artwork based on these themes and have the opportunity to submit imaginative name ideas for selected vehicles. Schools can nominate one drawing from each class, along with their favourite vehicle names, for judging. A panel selects the winning entries, and we then host a special unveiling ceremony at our depot to celebrate the students’ achievements.

The winning artwork and vehicle names, such as the much-loved “Grabzilla”, are displayed on select vehicles in our fleet for residents to see across the borough. The event is attended by representatives from the London Borough of Hounslow, who help present prizes and recognise the creativity and effort of the winners.

The ArtSweep and Vehicle Naming Competitions are a fantastic initiative that not only celebrates young talent but also helps inspire the next generation to take pride in their communities and care for the environment.

Volunteering with Local Charitable and Non-Profit Organisations

Hounslow Highways has a long-standing commitment to supporting local charitable and non-profit organisations across the borough through volunteering and community engagement initiatives. For example, this summer our team refurbished the Salvation Army community centre in Feltham, clearing weeds, cutting back overgrown vegetation and refreshing the site’s planters with new flowers to help create a more welcoming environment for the local community.

We also run an annual Blood Donation Drive in partnership with NHS Give Blood, encouraging eligible colleagues to donate and support this life-saving initiative. In addition, our team regularly takes part in fundraising activities for charities such as the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, as well as a range of sporting fundraising events, including football and netball tournaments, helping to raise vital funds for good causes while promoting teamwork and community spirit.

Alternate Employment Avenues

At Hounslow Highways, we are committed to attracting new talent and creating opportunities for local people through a wide range of recruitment channels. From construction-focused job fairs to student careers events, these initiatives enable us to connect with individuals at every stage of their career journey, whether they are experienced industry professionals or taking their first steps into the sector.

We actively support the development of future talent through work experience programmes with students from local schools and colleges, providing valuable skills, insight and experience to enhance their CVs and future career prospects. Participants gain exposure to a variety of roles across the business, from supporting back-office teams to shadowing operatives on site, giving them a well-rounded understanding of the highways sector. We also offer university placement opportunities and apprenticeship programmes, helping young people build rewarding careers within the industry.

By embracing alternative recruitment pathways, we continue to attract, develop and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. These initiatives help create accessible routes into the highways sector for people who may not have followed traditional career paths, while strengthening our workforce and delivering lasting social and economic value for the borough and its communities.

Litter Picking Events

Hounslow Highways regularly organises community litter picking events in partnership with local volunteer and action groups, helping to keep our streets, parks and public spaces clean and welcoming.

We also support residents who want to make a difference by providing free litter-picking equipment, including litter pickers, gloves and orange waste bags. Whether you’re joining an organised event or carrying out your own local clean-up, we’re here to help you play your part in keeping the borough clean and tidy.

If you tell us about a clean-up event you’re planning, we will be more than happy to provide waste collection bags, and loan of equipment if we are given enough notice (5 working days). We will also collect your bags of rubbish and the return of the loaned equipment at the end of your event. Just email us at businessmanagement@hounslowhighways.org with a competed Litter Picking Events Form.

Hounslow Highways Tree Watering Initiative 

If you would like to support the tree population in Hounslow, please contact us using the “Report it Online” function located at the top of this page. Additionally, our trees love to be watered, so if you would like to help water a tree you pass by regularly, you can report that as well.

Please see below watering guidance:

• Look out for the biodegradable tags on trees in parks and highways, indicating that they are young trees in need of additional watering.
• Please water regularly during periods of dry weather, ideally a young tree requires 50 litres of water per week during summer – although anything you can manage is great.
• Tap water, rainwater or even dishwater is fine. Please make sure no harsh chemicals stronger than washing-up liquid are in the mix. Please be aware that a lot of cleaning products contain bleach which long-term will be harmful to the tree.
• Just slowly pour the water over the roots, letting the water soak deep into the soil. Also, if there’s a watering tube at the base of the tree, please use that, but in extremely dry weather it is best to water over the roots then fill the water pipe.
• It is best to water in two stages; first wet the surface to prevent run off, then water again to soak deep into the roots.
• The best time to water is either in the early morning or in the evening. Try to avoid the hottest part of the day, although water anytime is better than no water at all.
• Try not to water when the ground is wet and soggy. Trees can also become overwatered in poorly drained soils such as clay and heavy loam and this can lead to water logging.