A package of community initiatives including its new Doorstep Challenge for residents in the Preston Road area has earned East Hull-based charity EMS Yorkshire its first award.

The company, based on Preston Road, picked up the President’s Community Honour from the Humberside Occupational Health and Safety Group, an award which is given to a company which has does the most for the environment and to promote health and safety amongst charitable, community and voluntary groups. The award was announced at a ceremony at the KC Stadium in Hull.

EMS – Environmental and Management Solutions – delivers neighbourhood management and community safety work in the Southcoates East Ward, and was nominated for its local development projects. They include Doorstep Challenge, which encourages local people to improve their gardens in the summer; a programme to help elderly residents maintain their gardens; and a new community allotment in association with the Food 360 Project run by Probe (Hull) Ltd and Archbishop Sentamu Academy.

Chief Executive Jan Boyd says: “We’re expanding on the local grow-your-own food scene by adding a category in the Park Area in Bloom competition which we run. We’re normally the ones giving out the prizes to our winners in competitions, but we’re thrilled to be recognised for our contribution and to receive our first silverware.”

Barry Clinch, Chair of Judging Panel for HOHSA, said: “EMS was given the award because of ‘the grassroots level’ involvement of residents, community groups and businesses to directly deliver visible improvements in the environment of local people.”

The closing date for the Park Area in Bloom competition is Friday 9th July and judging will take place the following week, with an awards ceremony at the Freedom Centre, Preston Road Village Centre, on Wednesday 12th October.