community champions handbook

The Every Action CountsCommunity Champions Handbook

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Publ�shed by BTCV �n partnersh�p w�th Every Act�on Act�on Counts

The Every Action CountsCommun�ty Champ�ons Handbook

Chr�s Church

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ForewordWell, you have done the course, rece�ved the toolk�t, and now you are read�ng th�s gu�de. You may be wonder�ng what you have taken on and ‘would they not�ce �f I gave up?’

Th�s gu�de �s to help you to put �nto context some of the act�ons �n the game and understand some of the w�der �ssues of th�s very large subject area. If you w�sh to learn more we can g�ve you l�nks to where to find more �nformat�on and the organ�sat�ons that can help. We can also help w�th some further tra�n�ng.

Your role �s to help groups to dec�de what they want to do and wr�te an act�on plan. To do th�s you don’t really need to know a lot about each area for act�on: you ‘cha�r the meet�ng’. To have volunteered for th�s role �t �s h�ghly l�kely that you are �nterested �n these �ssues and knew about some of the areas for act�on before the tra�n�ng and would l�ke to know more. The groups you meet may expect you to know everyth�ng, but I have not met anyone who �s that knowledgeable! They w�ll have to make do w�th someone who knows where to find �nformat�on.

By the way – we w�ll not�ce �f you g�ve up! Although somet�mes daunt�ng, work�ng w�th commun�ty groups �s one of the most sat�sfy�ng th�ngs you can do. It has kept me �nterested for over 20 years.

Best of luck and don’t forget you can always ask us.

Tony NewbyProgramme Manager Community Champions [email protected]

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DISCLAIMER: The �nformat�on g�ven �n th�s publ�cat�on on behalf of BTCV �s bel�eved to be

correct, but accuracy �s not guaranteed and the �nformat�on does not obv�ate the need to

make further enqu�r�es as appropr�ate. Th�s publ�cat�on �s not a comprehens�ve statement on

all safety procedures and the reader must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and

safety of all users and to take all necessary steps to �mplement a health and safety pol�cy.

Th�s publ�cat�on �s �ssued w�thout respons�b�l�ty on the part of BTCV for acc�dents or damage

as a result of �ts use.

ISBN 0 946752 38 9

Wr�tten by Chr�s Church

© BTCV 2007

All r�ghts reserved. No part of th�s publ�cat�on may be reproduced,

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w�thout the pr�or perm�ss�on of BTCV.

Produced by BTCV Publ�cat�ons. Body type 9/12pt Frut�ger

Pr�nted by Severnpr�nt Ltd, Gloucester, on 130gm2 Cyclus Pr�nt 100% post-consumer

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Publ�shed by BTCV, Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB Reg. Char�ty 261009

Th�s gu�de has been des�gned for the use of Every Act�on Counts Commun�ty Champ�ons. It �s based �n part on A Better Place to Live, by Chr�s Church for the Commun�ty Development Foundat�on. An updated ed�t�on of A Better Place to Live w�ll be publ�shed by CDF �n 2007.

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Contents1 Introduct�on .................................................... 1

2 Work�ng �n your commun�ty ............................ 5

3 The b�g �ssues ................................................ 11

3.1 Save energy .......................................... 13

3.2 Save our resources ............................... 19

3.3 Care for your area ................................. 23

3.4 Travel w�sely .......................................... 31

3.5 Shop eth�cally ....................................... 37

4 Mak�ng the l�nks: env�ronmental act�on

and susta�nable development ........................ 47

5 Commun�ty �ssues ........................................ 51

6 Every Act�on Counts and Commun�ty

Champ�ons ................................................... 59

7 The next steps .............................................. 63

8 What can I do? .............................................. 67

9 Champ�ons’ support ...................................... 73

10 Further �nformat�on and useful addresses ...... 83

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� Introduction

Global issu es, local action: can we really make a difference?ThecentralroleofanEveryActionCountsCommunityChampionistohelplocalcommunitygroups,clubsandsocietiesimproveandprotecttheirenvironmentandshowtheirmembershowtheycanalsomakeadifference.The‘environment’meansverydifferentthingstodifferentpeople,anditdoesn’talwaysconnecttowherewelive.Formanypeoplethe‘environment’isstillsomethingtheyseeontelevision:rainforests,polarbearsordolphins.Butourenvironmentiswherewelive,andmorebesides.It’swherewelive,work(andplay),andit’salsoalltheotherthingsthataffectus.

Itcanallseemverycomplicated.Weareallthreatenedbyglobalclimatechange,whichismostlycausedbytheburningofpetrol,coalandgasallovertheworld.TheideathatmuchoftheproblemisincountriessuchastheUSAorChinaisoftenusedasanexcusefordoingnothing.ChangeswithintheUKcanaffectcommunitieswhoneverheardaboutthenewproposalswhentheywerebeingplanned.There’ssomuchgoingonthataffectsourenvironmentthatitcanbeveryhardtokeepupwithitall.

Thatmeansthatifwewanttoprotectandimproveourenvironment,wedohavetokeepaneyeonthe‘bigpicture’.Butwealsoneedtofocusonwherewelive:ifwedon’tlookafteroursurroundings,whowill?

Caringforourenvironmentmattersformanyreasons:it’snotjustaboutcuttingpollution.Apoorandshabbylocalenvironmentmaystopnewbusinessesorshopsopeningintheareaandcreatingjobsforlocalpeople.Abadly-designedenvironmentcanencouragecrime,andifpeoplearescaredtogooutatnightthenitmaywellbehardtogettheminvolvedinlocalaction.Andtherearemanywaysinwhichapoorlocalenvironmentcanaffectpeople’shealth.Environmentalactionis

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The Community Champions Handbook

alsoagoodwaytobringpeopletogether.Helpingcleanupalocalopenspaceneedsalotofpeople,butit’snotdifficult:everyonecanjoinin.

Localactionmattersanditmakesadifference.TheEveryActionCountswebsitehasagreatmanyexamplesofeffectiveactionbypeopleworkingtoprotectorimprovetheirlocalenvironment.Localactionneedsalittleplanning,alittleinformationandasmuchtimeandenergyaspeoplecanspare.ACommunityChampioncancertainlyhelpwiththeinformationandplanning,andmaybeabletohelppeoplefindthetimeandenergytomakesomerealchanges.

Ifyoutalkwithpeople,thethingstheyoftenwanttotackleare:Wasteandfly-tippingImprovinglocalgreenspacesEnergywasteandefficiencyTransportCuttinglocalpollution.

Thisguidecanhelpyouwithideasonhowtotacklealltheseissues.Itwillalsohelpyouthinkabouthowothersseetheseissues:youmaybekeentotalkaboutsavingenergytohelptackleclimatechange;othersmaybedesperatetosaveenergybecausetheycannotaffordtopaytheirgasbills.Itcanalsoofferadviceonhowtogettogripswithbiggerissueslikeclimatechangeandfairtrade.You’llalsofindplentyofcontactsandwebsitesthatcanhelpyougetmoreinformationandadvice.

Somepeoplewillcertainlytrytotellyouthatlocalactionwon’tmakeanyrealdifference,andthatit’salldowntothepoliticians(orthebigcompaniesortheUnitedNationsorwhoever).It’scertainlytruethatevenifyouandyourneighbourschangedallyourlightbulbsforlowenergyonesitwouldstillonlyhaveatinyimpactontheUK’soveralluseofenergy.Buttherearemorethan�000CommunityChampionsbeingtrainedbyEveryActionCountsandtherearearound750,000communitygroupsintheUK.Thecombinedimpactcanstarttomakearealdifference,butonlyifsomeoneineachofthosegroupstakesthefirststepandencouragestheirfriendsandneighbourstodothesame.

Andifanyonedoestellyouthatyouaretoosmalltomakeadifference,thentrysleepinginahotroomwithjustonemosquito!

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1 Introduction

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� Workinginyourcommunity

Getting started as a Community ChampionThisoffersinitialideasonhowchampionscanworkwithlocalorganisationsontheEveryActionCounts(EAC)issues.

Ifyou’vetrainedasaCommunityChampion,thenyou’veprobablygotsomeideasalreadyastowhichgroupyouwanttostartworkwith.It’sperhapsthegroupthatgaveareferenceforyouonthetraining.Ifyou’relookingaroundforanothergroupthenseethesectionbelowon‘makingcontactwithgroups’.

BecomingaCommunityChampionmaybeabigfirststeporitmaybealogicaldevelopmentofworkyou’vebeendoingforyears.Eitherwayit’sanimportantrolethatyouaretakingon.Yourcommunitycanbenefitfromyourenergyandexpertise,andyoucanbenefittoo,bybuildingyourskills,makingnewfriends,andlearningmoreabouthowtohelppeoplechange.Allthiscanbehelpfultoyouthroughoutyourlife.

It’salsoimportanttorememberthatyourroleistohelpandadvise.TheroleofaChampionisnottobealeader,it’stoencourageotherpeopletomakechanges.Youwon’tseethetrainerofafootballteamscoringthewinninggoal:likethem,yourroleistomakesureotherpeoplehavetheskillsandconfidencetomakeadifference.

Gettingstarted

Animportantfirststepisofcoursetoletthegroupyouworkwithknowyou’vedonethetrainingandsetatimeforafirstdiscussion.Thismightwellbewhereyouusethegamesasawaytogetpeopletalking.

Butbeforethatthereareafewthingsyoushoulddo.Mostoftheseare

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aboutfindingoutasmuchasyoucanaboutwhat’salreadygoingoninyourneighbourhoodornearby.

Contact your local council

MostcouncilshaveanEnvironmentorSustainabilityOfficerwhosejobitwillbetosupportandworkwithlocalcommunities.Theywillprobablybeinterestedandkeentohearaboutwhatyouaredoingandmaybeabletoofferhelpandadvice.Theymaybeabletoputyouincontactwithotherlocalorganisationsandprojectswhocanoffermoresupport.Theyshouldcertainlybeabletogiveyoutheinformationyouneedabouttheirenvironmentalactivitiessuchasrecyclingprogrammes,wasteandcleansingandgreenspacemanagement.It’shighlylikelythatsomeonewillaskyouquestionsaboutthesesoit’sgoodtobewellinformed.

EveryActionCountsisalsorunningtrainingforcommunityworkerssoyoumayfindthatothercouncilstaffunderstandtheseissuesandcanhelp.Iftheycan’t,youcouldsuggestthattheycheckoutthefreetrainingavailablefromEACthatisdeliveredbytheFederationforCommunityDevelopmentLearning.

What’s happening already?

Theenvironmentisnotanewissue.Therearealmostcertainlyothergroupsalreadyactiveontheseissuesinyourlocality.Ifsuchgroupsarenotobvious,thenyourcouncilEnvironmentalOfficermayknow,asmaythelocallibrary.Awebsearchmayalsogiveyouinformation,oryoucouldcontactnationalgroupssuchasBTCVorFriendsoftheEarthwhohavelocalbranchesinmanyareas.YourlocalCouncilforVoluntaryActionorVoluntaryActionnetworksmayalsohaveusefulcontacts.

Talk with friends and colleagues

Thetrainingwillhavegivenyouideas,thegamesandinformationcoveringthefiveEACissues(seenextsection).Beforeyoustartworkwiththewholegroupitmaybehelpfultotalkwithindividualswithinthegroupwhoyouknowmaybeinterested.Youcanexplainwhatyouarelookingtodo,whatyouhopemaycomefromthis,andgettheirideasaswell.

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Do It Yourself!

QuitealotofwhatyouwilldoasaChampionistoadviseandsupportpeopleinmakingchanges.You’llfindthisaloteasierifyou’vemadesomeofthechangesyourselffirstandcanseehoweasytheyareandwhatsomeoftheproblemsmightbe.

You’llseethattheEveryActionCountswebsitehas5�thingsthatanycommunitycando,butyouarealsolikelytobeasked‘whatcanIdo?’There’salistof‘individualactions’inthismanual(seeSection8);gothroughthatlistandseewhichonesyoudonowandmaybedooneortwoyou’venotdonealready.

Agoodexamplewouldbeinstallingawatersavingdeviceinatoiletcistern.Thiscanbeassimpleasputtingaonelitreplasticwaterbottleuprightinyourcisternandfillingitwithwater:everytimeyouflushfromnowonyou’llsavealitreofwater.But:doesthecisternlidcomeoffeasily?Isthereroomforthebottle?(almostcertainly!)DoIneedachairtostandon?

Dothesethingsathomeandyou’llbealotmoreconfidentaboutdoingthemsomewhereelse.

Develop your own skills and knowledge

Thetrainingisjustonesteponaroadthatcanbeaslongasyouwant.ThemoreyoudoasaChampion,themoreyou’llfindyourconfidencegrows.It’salsoimportanttokeepuptodatewithenvironmentalnews,bothlocallyandnationally.Readingthepaperswillhelp,andthere’sarangeofe-mailliststhatwillhelpyoustayintouch.

AsanEACChampionyouwillalsoreceivetheregularGreen Gaugenewsletter.

Makingcontactwithgroups

Onceyou’vetriedoutthegamesandyourideaswithyourowngroupthenyoumaywanttomakefurthercontacts.Whereveryouarethereareothercommunitygroups,andit’squitelikelythatsomeofthemwillbeinterestedindiscussingenvironmentalissues.Thesecouldinclude:

2 Working in your community

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Residents’groupsFaithgroupsGardeningorallotmentgroupsSportsgroupsofalltypesBookclubsSchoolsgroups(includinggovernors)

AnylocalcommunitycentrewillprovidecontactsandcouldbeaplacetodistributeEACleafletsandposters(aswillyourlocallibraryandotherplaces).

Advisingpeopleandgroups

It’simportanttoworkoutwhatadviceyougivewhere.Thereare5�‘simpleactions’ontheEACcardsandthewebsite,andthereisadviceonwhattheseinvolveinpracticeonthewebsite.It’simportanttospendsometimegoingthroughthesesothatifpeopleaskyou‘whatdoesthismean?’youcangiventhemananswer.

It’salsoimportanttogiveadvicethatisrelevant.TheEACadviceisforgroups,butallgroupsaremadeupofpeoplesoit’simportanttogetthosepeoplemakingchangesintheirownlivesaswell,eventhoughtheimpactislikelytobelessthanwhatyoucandotogether.Section8ofthisguide,‘WhatcanIdo?’,hasalistofactionsthatanyindividualorhouseholdcantake.

Keepinggoing

Helpingpeoplechangehowtheylivetheirlivesisalwaysgoingtobeachallenge,andonespecialchallengeishelpingthemtokeepgoing.Oneofyourtasksistobethinkingonestepahead–whatmightthegroupwanttodonext?Therearealotofactionpointsinthenextsectionthatmaygiveyousomeideas.

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2 Working in your community

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� Thebigissues

ThisisthecoresectionofthishandbookandcoversthefivemainEACenvironmentalissues.

Eachpartgivesyousomebackgroundinformationandplentyofideasaboutwhatanycommunitygroupcanactuallydo.You’llseethatsomeofthesearequitedifferentfromthethingsthatindividualscando:there’salotmorethatcanbedonewhenpeopleworktogether.Oneofthemostobviousideasisonethatrelatestoalltheissues,andthatistorunalocalcampaigntoencouragepeopletobeawareandactive.Onceyou’vegotpeopleactiveinagroup,helpingtheminturntogetmorepeopleinvolvedisalwaysimportant.You’llfindmoreadviceonhowtoinvolveothergroupsandpeopleinsection7.

Themostimportantthingistodosomeplanning.TheEACgameswillhelpyoutobeclearaboutthemainconcernsofpeopleinthegroupyouareworkingwith.ThesecanbethebasisforyourownActionPlan.ButbeforeyoudoanActionPlanyoumaywanttoshowpeoplethatthisisn’talltalk,andorganisesomeeventoractionthatwillinvolvepeopleinthegroup.Thiscouldbeoneofmanythings:

AformalmeetingApractical‘clean-up’dayRunningastallatamarketorinyourhighstreettospreadinformationAvisittoalocalenvironmentalprojectOrwhateverelsepeoplefeelwouldbeinteresting…

Tomakethishappenthereareusuallyninestepstotake(youcanusethischecklistasyoureadthroughthenextsectionstothinkaboutwhatyoumightdo):

Getagreementonwhichoftheseconcernsyoushouldfocusonfirstandworkoutjustwhatyouwanttodo.Discusswhatyouwillneed(Information?Money?Leaflets?etc.)Agreewhoisgoingtodowhatandwhen–sharetheresponsibilitiesandmakeatimetableforaction.Ifyou’regoingtopublicisewhatyouaredoing(maybeto

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involvemorepeople)allowtimeforthatandworkouthowyouaregoingtodothis.Agreeadateforthestartofthisworkandmakesurethateveryoneknowseverythingthatneedstobedonebythisdate.Keepintouchwithallthekeypeoplesothateveryoneisreadyandknowswhattheyaredoing.Setatimeafteryourfirsteventtodiscusshowitwent,whatworkedandwhatyouwilldobetternexttime.Thankeveryoneandmoveontoplanningwhatyouwilldonext!Thisshouldincludedevelopingyourlonger-termActionPlan.Tellusaboutit!

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3.1 Save energyElectricity,gas,petrol:wealluseenergyeveryday.Mostpeopleonlythinkaboutthepriceofenergywhentheypaythebillsorbuythepetrol,butenergydoesn’tjustcostmoney–itcostsusinotherways.Energy’sbeencausingpollutionforalongtime:old-stylesmogsfromcoalfires,‘acidrain’frombigpowerstations,nuclearwasteandtrafficfumesarejustsomeofthepollutionissuesthatcanaffectourhealthandoursurroundings.

Nowwehaveamuchbiggerproblem:climatechange.Thisisbeingcausedmainlybytheburningofcoal,gas,petrolandotherfuels.Thisreleasesothergases,mostlycarbondioxide,whichabsorbthesun’sheat,andthisleadstotheatmosphereheatingup.Whilewarmerweathermaysoundlikeaniceidea,theresultsarelikelytoincludemorebigstormsandflooding,andrisesinsealeveloverthenextdecades.Ifyouwanttotalkaboutthisissueinyourgroup,theClimateOutreachInformationNetwork(COIN–seesection�0)canputyouintouchwithaspeakerwhocouldleadadiscussion.

Thereareotherproblemsnearertohome:threemillionhouseholdssufferfrom‘fuelpoverty’–theyspendmorethan�0%oftheirhouseholdincomeonenergy,usuallybecausetheirhouseishardtoheat:it’sdraughty,poorlyinsulated,andtheheatingsystemsareinefficient.MostlocalauthoritiesaretryingtotacklethisproblemandthegovernmenthassetuptheWarmFrontprogrammetofightfuelpoverty.MoreinformationonWarmFrontcanbefoundatwww.defra.gov.uk/environment/energy/hees/.

Itmakesverygoodsensetosaveenergy:itsavesmoneyanditcutspollution.Thereareplentyofthingsanyonecando(seetheboxbelow)andthere’salotmorethatcommunitygroupscandotogether.

ThefirstthinganyCommunityChampionshoulddoisworkoutwhocanhelpandwhoworkslocally.Yourcouncil’senvironmentofficerwillhaveideasandmaybehappytohelp.Aphonecallto08005��0��willputyouintouchwithyourlocalEnergyEfficiencyAdviceCentre.Theywillhaveleafletsetc.explainingwhatisavailable,andmayhavelow-energylightbulbstodistributeforfree.Youshouldalsolookat

3 The big issues

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F irst steps to saving energy in your home, community centre, etc…Theseactionswillsaveyouenergyandmoney.Mostofthemcostverylittle.

Stopthedraughts!Spacesaroundwindowsanddoors(includingletterboxes)letcoldairinandwarmairout.Getdraught-excludersfromd-i-ystores(ormakethem).

Checkthethermostatsforhotwaterandcentralheating.There’snoneedtohavehotwaterabove�0°C–anyhigherandyoumaygetscalded,andwillneedtoaddcoldwatertocooldownthewateryou’vejustpaidtoheat.

Don’theatroomstomorethan��°C.

Closethecurtainsatnight(andopenthemwideduringthedaytogetasmuchheatfromthesunaspossible).

Uselow-energylightbulbs.Thesecansaveyouupto£�0ayearandtheylastuptonineyears.Communitycentresmaysavehundredsofpoundsayearthisway.

Think!Don’tfillkettlestoofull,cookwithpanscovered,switchunnecessarylightsoff,anddon’tusethewashingmachineuntilyouhaveafullload(andyoucanwashmostdirtyclothesat�0˚C).Every littlehelpsyousavemoneyandreducepollution!

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yourownhouse:lookatyourownelectricitybillsandlearnhowyourusevaries,andtrymakingthebasicchangestoyourhouseandyourday-to-dayactionssetoutintheboxbelow.Ifyou’vedonethemyourselfyou’llbealotmoreconfidentaboutadvisingothers.

There’salsomoretoworkonregardingenergythansimplysavingit.Youcanlookatwhereyougetitfromandatproducingyourown.

Changingtoanelectricitysupplierthatcansellyouelectricityfromrenewablesourcesiseasy.Thiscanworkforanyhouseholdor,forexample,yourcommunitycentre,church,mosque.Onewebsitethatoffersimpartialadviceiswww.uswitch.com.

Producingyourownelectricityisrathermorecomplicated.Newformsofrenewableenergy–solarpanelsonbuildings’roofsorwindturbines–generateelectricitywithoutcausingpollution.Theseworkatasmallerscalethanbigpowerstations,andcanberunbylocalcommunities.Alreadyschools,adventureplaygrounds,communitycentresandcouncilhousesareproducingsomeoralloftheirownenergy.Thisdoestaketimeandmoneytosetup:ifyourgroupwantstotakethisforwardthenyoushouldcontactCommunityActionforEnergy(CAfÉ)runbytheCentreforSustainableEnergy(www.est.org.uk/cafe/welcome).Theyhaveanetworkofover�00localprojectsandcanofferadvicebasedonthisexperience.

Cuttingyouremissions

Butthekeypointissimplysavingenergyandencouragingpeopletostopwastingit.ItmayhelptoencouragepeopletothinkaboutthisbothintermsofsavingmoneyandintermsofcuttingCO

�emissions.

Thisisimportantbothforindividualsandhouseholdsandalsoforthegroupasawhole.

Thereareanumberofon-lineguidesthatcanhelpyouwiththis:TheEnergySavingTrust(www.est.org.uk)offersa‘homeenergycheck’thataimstohelppeoplesave�0%oftheirenergy.TheGovernmentDirectwebsite(www.direct.gov.uk)haspagesEnvironment And Greener LivingandEnergy And Water Saving

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3 The big issues

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Ideas

PeoplewhoruncommunitybuildingsintheBrighton and Hoveareahavesetupanetworktoshareexperience.Activitiesincludeaseriesofseminarstohelpthemcutthecostofheatingandlightingandwastedisposal.Theseminarsandfollow-upsupporthelpthegroupsfindwaystocutenergyuseandwaste.

TheEnergyCreditUnioninReadingbuysenergy-savingmaterialssuchasloftinsulationanddraught-proofingforsellingontomembers(inlow-incomehouseholds)atdiscountedratesandofferscheapcreditat�%amonth.Ithelpscutcosts,raisesawarenessandcutsCO

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emissions.

Loughgiel Community AssociationservesaruralareainNorthernIreland.Aspartofitsworktobuildanewcommunityresourcecentre,theassociationwantedthecentretobeasself-sufficientaspossible,andsuccessfullyraisedmoneytoinstallawindturbineandsolarphotovoltaicsystemthatprovidesitselectricity.

Ashton HayesinCheshire,avillageofapproximately�000people,isworkingtobecomeEngland’sfirst‘carbonneutral’village.Localbusinesses,thevillageschoolandhouseholdshaveteamedupwithlocalcharities,CheshireUniversity,theEnergySavingTrustandtheCountyCounciltotryandreducethecommunity’sgreenhousegasemissionsthroughtreeplanting,renewableenergyandenergyefficiencymeasures.OnelocalresidentofAshtonHayesintroducedtheideatotheparishcouncil.Over�00peopleturnedouttotheproject’sofficiallaunch,whichwassponsoredbylocalbusinessesandsupportedbytheWomen’sInstitute.Sofar,�50householdshavecompletedthehomeenergyandtravelsurveyorganisedwiththeUniversityofChester.Otherinitiativesinthevillageincludeinstallationofasmallwindturbineandasolarthermalsystematthelocalprimaryschool,thepromotionofrenewableenergyandenergyefficiencytohouseholdsintheareaandadviceonrecycling,whichhasseenariseinthevillage’srecyclingrates.

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www.icount.org.ukhasbeensetupbycampaigngroupstohelpyousaveenergyandCO

�–thesiteshowsyouhow

muchCO�thatallthepeoplewhosigneduptothesitehave

saved.TheCentreforSustainableEnergyoffersafreeguidetoCommunityEnergyEfficiencyProjects.

Allofthesecansupplementtheworkdonethroughthe‘evaluator’ontheEveryActionCountswebsite.SeetheFurther Informationsectionformoreadvice.

Ifyouaregoingtodiscusstheseissueswithyourgroupthenitmakesensetolookatsomeofthesesitesandworkoutwhichonemostmeetsyourneeds.Ifthegroupmeetsregularlyyoumaywanttoencouragepeopletostartassessingtheirenergysavingsregularly.Helpingpeopletounderstandandreadtheirgasandelectricitymeterscanbeanimportantfirststep–don’tneglectofferingbasichelplikethis!

Whatcommunitygroupscando

Aswellasdoingthebasicsofenergysaving(seetheboxabove)localgroupscan:

Runanenergyawarenessweekaimedatmembersandlocalpeople–contactalocalEnergyAdviceCentreformaterialsandideas.Getasmanypeopleaspossibleinthegroupworkingtosaveenergytogetherandsharingtheirideas,successesandproblemsConsiderbulk-buyinglow-energylightbulbsorinsulationmaterialsforlocalpeopleMakesurethemostvulnerablepeople(oldorillpeople,especiallythoselivingontheirown)gethelpwithenergyissuesBuy‘green’electricity(fromrenewablesources):arangeofpowerretailersnowofferthispossibilityMakesurepeoplegettingstatebenefitsknowaboutthehelpavailablethroughtheWarmFrontinitiative.

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3 The big issues

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F irst steps to cutting your wasteAnyonecanmakeastart:

Useyourkerbsiderecyclingcollectionandlocal‘bring’sites

Avoidover-packagedproducts

Useyourownshoppingbag

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3.2 Save our resourcesRubbishandwasteareaproblemforjustabouteveryneighbourhood.It’salwayseasytoblamethecouncil,buttheproblemsgoalotdeeperthanthat.

Attherootofitisourthrow-awaysociety.There’sbeenahugeincreaseintheuseofplasticbagsandpackaging,whetherforhamburgersortelevisions,andallthatpackaginghastogosomewhere.Muchofitisnotproperlydisposedofandthat’sthebasisofthelitterproblemthatfacessomanycommunities.

Littermaynotseemveryimportantcomparedto‘bigissues’likeclimatechange,butdirtystreetssendoutamessagethatnooneinauthoritycares,andiflocalpeoplethinkthatnoonecaresabouttheirlocalissues,thentheyprobablywon’tworryaboutthosebiggerproblems.Wasteisalmostcertainlyanissuethatanycommunitygroupwillwanttodiscuss.

Cuttingdownthewaste

Thebestwaytodealwithrubbishisnottohaveitinthefirstplace.Thismeans:

CuttingdownonexcesspackagingDesigningproductssothattheyuselessmaterialtodothesamejob.

Thisisabigissue:morethan88,000tonnesofweeklyhouseholdwaste–�.�milliontonnesperyear–ispackaging.That’sabouttheweightof�000Londonbuseseveryweek.Consumerspayforpackagingtwice:forevery£50youspendonfood,£8goestowardsthepackagingcosts,addingapproximately£�70totheaveragefamily’sbilleveryyear.Thenyoupayforthedisposalofthepackagingthroughcounciltaxes.

Therearethingsthatcanbedone,andcommunitygroupscanplayanimportantpartbymakingtheirvoicesheardonthepolicychangesthatareneeded.TheNationalFederationofWomen’sInstituteshasorganisedsomehigh-profileeventsatsupermarketsprotestingaboutover-packaging–theirwebsiteshowsyouwhattheydid

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3 The big issues

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More ideas…The Vine ProjectisafurniturerecyclingprojectinSouthWestLondon.Itwasstartedbyasmallgroupofvolunteers.ThedemandforitsserviceshasbeengreatandasaresultitnowworksinfourLondonboroughs.TheProjectprovidesrefurbishedfurniturealongwithreusedchildren’sclothes,toysandnurseryequipmenttoover�00householdseverymonth.Thepeopletheyhelpandworkwithincludetheformerhomeless,refugees,asylumseekersandthosewhohavefleddomestic

violence.Theprojectalsohasabout80volunteers.TheProjectnowreusesaround��0items(weighingabout��tonnes)offurnitureandhouseholdgoodspermonth,whichwouldotherwiseendupinlandfillsites.Thisincludesallthebasicfurniture

suppliesthatpeopleneed.TheProject’sstaffandvolunteerscollectthedonateditemsandclean,repaintandrefurbishthembeforesupplyingtheitemstothosewhoneedthem.ThisworkalsoprovidesvaluableskillstrainingforpeopleworkingattheProject’swarehouse.TheVineProjectcontinuestodevelopanditnowtakesallthefurniturewhicharrivesatSuttonCouncil’snewReuse&RecyclingCentre,whichopenedinApril�00�.

In Oxfordshirethere’sanetworkofCommunityActionGroupswhoareactiveonwasteandrecyclingissues.Forlotsofgoodideasonlocalaction,seewww.cagoxfordshire.org.uk.

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(www.womens-institute.co.uk/campaigns).TheIrishGovernmenthasimposedataxofabout7poneachplasticcarrierbag.Thishasledtomanymorepeoplereusingthesebagsratherthanthrowingthemaway.

Recycling

Recyclingmusttakeplaceateverylevel.Carsandelectricalequipmentarenowbeingdesignedsothattheycanbe‘disassembled’attheendoftheirlivessothatusefulpartscanbereused,whilethescrapmetalismelteddownandrecycled.

Atthedomesticlevel,everyonecanplaytheirpart.Moreandmorehouseholdsnowhavekerbsideordoor-to-doorcollectionsofwastesuchaspaper,bottlesandcans,andmosthouseholdsnowhaveaccesstoalocalrecyclingcollectionpoint.Everylocalcouncilhasrecyclingtargetstomeetaspartofanationalstrategytocutwaste:mostarerecyclingaround�5%oftheirwasteandthatfigurewillgrow.Someplacesareintroducingcompulsoryrecyclingandwithinafewyearsit’slikelytobepartofournormalroutine.

Buttherearestillplentyofpeoplewhodon’trecycleandthisisperhapstheeasiestthingforanyChampiontoencourageanyonetodo.

ThefirststopforanyChampionisthelocalcouncil.Talkwiththerecyclingofficerandfindoutwhatyoucanaboutwhattheycollectandwhen,especiallyintheareawhereyouwillstartwork.Theymaywellbeabletogiveyouaboxof‘goodies’suchaspencilsandnotepadsmadefromrecycledmaterialsthatyoucangiveawaywhenyoudotalks.Copiesoftheirleafletsandposterswillbehelpful.Iftheycangiveyouarecyclingboxorbagofthetypetheyusefordoor-to-doorcollections,thisisausefulpropforanytalk–youcantakealongexamplesofthingspeopleshould(andshouldnot)putintheircollectionboxes.

Somecouncilsruntheirown‘recyclingchampion’schemesandmaybehappytolinkyoutothatnetwork.Theycanalsoadviseonwhattheyaredoingtotackleissuesoflitterandwaste.Manyhaveatelephone‘hotline’forreportingfly-tipping,whichissomethingyoushouldencourageanygrouptoacton.

Youshouldalsolookoutforlocalcommunityrecyclingprojectsthat

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canofferhelpandadvice.It’sanareawherecommunityactionisimportant.AcrosstheUK,morethan850communityorganisationsworkonrecycling.Over�.�millionhouseholdshavetheirkerbsidecollectionrunbyacommunityorganisation,workingundercontracttothecouncil.Communityorganisationsalsorunprojectstorecycleandrepairfurnitureandelectricalgoods,whicharethensoldatlowcosttopoorerhouseholds.Theseorganisationsreusedaroundtwomillionitemslastyear,andindoingthisthey’vecreatedabout�000jobs,whilegivingtrainingtoaround5000people,manyofwhomarelong-termunemployedorhavespecialneeds.TheCommunityRecyclingNetwork(www.crn.org.uk)andtheFurnitureRecyclingNetwork(www.frn.org.uk)bothhaveadirectoryoflocalprojects.

Oncepaper,glass,cansandplastichavebeentackled,peopleoftenbecomemuchmoreawareoffoodwaste.Muchofthiscanbe‘composted’andturnedintomaterialsthatcanbenefitanygarden.TheCommunityCompostingNetwork(www.communitycompost.org)canadviseonhowtoencouragehomecompostingoronstartingacommunityscheme.


Themostimportantthingistomakelocalpeopleawareofreuseandrecyclingfacilitiesintheareaandencouragepeopletousethem.Otherthingsthatmayneeddoinginclude:

Identifyingareaswherefly-tippingtakesplaceandreportingthesetothelocalcouncil(andmakingsuretheytackletheproblem)Runninglocalwaste-awarenesscampaigns,ideallyinco-operationwithlocalschoolsPuttingpressureonwastecreators,suchasfast-foodshops,tocleanuptheirsurroundingsandtoprovidemorelitterbinsEncouraginglocalpeopletoputfoodandvegetablewasteincompostbinsThinkingaboutthewastethegroupitselfproduces(e.g.ateventsandmeetings)andlookingathowthatcanbecutorrecycledStartingtouserecycledorreusedproductsWorkingwiththecounciltodevelopawastestrategythatworks.

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Locally,it’sindividualpeoplewhomakethedifference,bynotdroppinglitter,byrecyclingandbytryingtoavoidunnecessarypackaging.Butthiswillonlybeeffectiveifcouncilsandthegovernmentprovidetheguidanceandfacilitiesthatpeopleandcommunitiesneed.

3. 3 Care for your areaCaringforwherewelivemakesverygoodsenseformanyreasons.Perhapsthemostobviousoneisthatifwedon’tcareforitwhyshouldanyoneelse?Somepeoplewillofcoursesaythat‘thecouncilshoulddoit’,butmostcouncilswillfocusonprovidingbasicservices.Ifyouwanttoreallychangethingsforthebetter,thenyouandthegroupsyouworkwithneedtogetthingsmoving.

Thissectionfocusesonlocalpublicopenspaces.Publicspacesareonereasonwhyanyplaceisnicetolivein.Greenspacesareforpeopletowalkin,tositin,forchildrentoplayin,forsport,forcommunitycelebrations.Theycanalsobeplaceswherepeoplelearnaboutplantsandfood,andevenplacesthatgiveopportunitiesfortrainingandtherapy.Parks,recreationgrounds,villagegreens,communitygardens–theyallhelpmakeourneighbourhoodsbetterplacestolive.Andit’snotjustgreenspaces;streets,squares,eventhepavedspaceinfrontofthecommunitycentre,libraryorwherever,theyareallplaceswherepeoplemeetandmaybedothingstogether.Theyneedtobesafeandwelllookedafter.

Lookingafteranopenspacecanbeagoodlong-termprojectforanycommunitygroup.It’sclearwhatyouarefocusingon,andlocalpeoplewhousetheareamaywellbewillingtohelp.Youmayhaveanexistingspaceinmind,wanttodevelopanewsite,oritmaybethatdiscussionwithinthegroupresultsinanidea.

Openspacesinclude:ParksCommunitygardensPlaygroundsPublicopenspaces

Theyalsoincludethosebitsofratheruncared-forgreenspacesthatyou

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F irst steps to caring for where you liveAnyonecanmakeastart

Reportfly-tippingandabandonedvehicles

Findoutwhoisresponsibleforlocalgreenspacesandparksandhowtocontactthem

Ifyouhaveagarden,useawateringcan(notahoseorsprinkler)andwaterplantsintheearlymorningorlateevening

Parksandgreenspaces

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findinmanyneighbourhoods.Theremaybeapieceofwastegroundaroundablockofflats,someovergrownraisedbedsneartheshops,aneglectedplayareaorjustapatchofbaregroundwhichlooksasifitcouldbebetterused.Whateveritis,effectivelocalactioncanmakeadifference.

Sofirstselecttheareayou’dliketoseeimproved.Getasmallgroupofpeopletogetherwhowillcommittodoingsomeworkonit.

Thenfindoutwhoownsit.Thisisnotalwayseasy.Ifit’saparkorrecreationground,thenit’seasy,butifit’sapieceofderelictlanditmaybeharder.Thenexttwosectionsgiveyouideasonthis.

Thendecidewhatyouwanttodo.Itmaybethatyousimplywanttomaketheareacleanerandsaferoryoumightwanttoturnthelandintoapropercommunitygarden.Youmightevenwanttostartgrowingyourownfood!

Anothercommonproblemonsomestreetsisfrontgardens.Youcanmakeabigdifferencetohowanarealooksbyencouragingmorepeopletocarefortheirgardens,offeringadviceongettingridofwasteanddumpedfurniture,andmaybehelpingthosewhoareunabletolookaftertheirown.Someplaceshaverunsuccessfullocalcompetitionsforthebestkeptormostimprovedgardens.

Sadly,mostgreenspacesarenotaswelllookedafterastheyshouldbe.Localcouncilshavetoooftenseenparkmaintenanceasanareawheretheycansavemoney.Ifparksareneglected,thenthelitterbuildsup,drug-taking,vandalismandotheranti-socialbehaviourhappensmoreandmore,andpeopledon’tgothere.Theresultisthatevenlessmoneyisspentandthingsgofrombadtoworse.

Itdoesn’thavetobelikethis!Thereareplentyofparkswherethis‘spiralofdespair’hasbeenturnedround,andinmostofthem,it’sduetocommunityaction.Thismaynotbeenoughonitsown,butpressurefromthelocalcommunitycanpersuadethecounciltoreviewsupportforitsparks.Inaddition,alocal‘FriendsofOurPark’groupcanapplyforfundsthatcanaddtowhateverthecouncilcando.Whilesuchgroupsarebecomingmorepopular,there’snoreasonwhyanexistingcommunitygroupcannotworktoimprovealocalpark.

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More ideas…The Friends of Phoenix ParkinBlakenhallworkedwithBTCV,throughthePrudentialGrassRootsprogramme,tousenatureconservationaswayofbringingthecommunitytogether.Theparkhadhighlevelsofcrimeandanti-socialbehaviourandfewfacilities.Arangeofpracticalactivitieswereorganisedtoengagethewholecommunity,includingpeopleofdifferentagesandcultures.Hundredsofvolunteerstook

partinclearingrubbish,plantingwildflowers,improvingpathwaysandlighting,andcreatinganaturetrailandadventureplayground.Aswellasthepracticalbenefitsoftheseevents,peoplewereabletogettoknoweachotherinaninformalandpositivesetting,helpingtobuildasenseofsharedinterest.Acommunity-basedmanagementplanwasdevelopedforthesite,givinglocalpeopletheconfidencetocontinuetomaintaintheirnewlycreatedgreenspacebythemselves.Theparknowhasfarlessvandalism,damageandlittering,andhasbecomeafocusforlocalpride.

Jubilee Gardens in Redbridge,eastLondon,hadbeencreatedasasmallparkin��7buthadfallenbadlyintodisrepair.Itwasfencedoffandthisenabledlocalshopstokeeptheirguarddogsonitduringtheday,meaningthatnooneelsecoulduseit,andthisledtofly-tippingofwaste.Localpeopleraisedthisasaproblemwiththecouncilandmanyideasforimprovementwereraised.Thefencesandgateswerereplacedwithalow-levelwallsothatdogscouldnolongerbeleftthere.Low-maintenanceshrubberyandnewseatswereaddedandtheareaisnowwellusedbyresidentsandshoppers.

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Ifyou’reworriedaboutthestateofyourparks:Talkwithotherparkusersandfindouthowconcernedtheyare:buildsupportforsomechangesFindoutfromthecouncilwhatplansthereareforbettermaintenanceandimprovementIfsuchplansarenotgoodenough,organiseameetingoraneventinorneartheparktobringpeopletogetherTalkaboutyourconcernswiththecouncil;considerwhatgroundsthereareforco-operationContactGreenSpace,thenationalorganisationthatworkswithcouncilsandcommunitiesonparksandgreenspacesYoumaywanttoformanactiongroup:beawarethatyourplansforimprovementwillneedtobeagreedwiththelandowner(probablythecouncil)andalwaysremembertheneedforlong-termmaintenance.

Communitygardens

Inalmosteverycommunitythere’ssomederelictland.Butthere’snoreasonforittostayunusedandunloved.Therearemorethan�000‘communitygardens’aroundtheUK–mostlysmallplotsofland,suchasthesiteofademolishedbuilding.Somearepermanent,butothersmayexistforjustafewyears,whilelandisawaitingredevelopment.

Restorationofsuchlandcanbeakeypartofimprovinganeighbourhoodforseveralreasons:

ItcreatesnewpublicspacesItremovesafocusforfly-tippingandlitteringItcanreducethescopeforotherillegalactivityItmayincreaselocallandvaluesIthelpschangepeople’snegativeviewsabouttheirsurroundingsItcanbeavisiblesignthat‘somethingishappening’.


Ifthere’sapieceoflandlikethisinyourareathatyouthinkcouldbeusedbylocalpeople,thereareafewkeythingstodo:

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Ideas: Arkwright Community Gardens, NottinghamManylocalorganisationsintheethnically-diverseMeadowsareaofNottinghamwereinvolvedinthetransformationofadisusedschoolplayingfieldintothisattractivecommunitygarden.

Theoverwhelmingresponsetoacommunityconsultationwasforthespacetobemoreattractive,usefulandsafeforchildren.Ideasforthegardenreflectedtheneedsofthelocalcommunitiesandcamefromchurches,communitycentres,schoolsandthecommunitycollege,whosemulti-lingualAsianoutreachworkerwaswellplacedtospreadtheword.

Furtherconsultationcontinuedasworkonthesitebegan,whileplannedactivitiesgavethechanceforpeopletohelpthegardencometolife.Localschoolchildrenworkedwithacommunityartist,usingarangeofactivitiesandmaterialsincludingclay,paints,collageandstories.Theirworkwasincorporatedintothefinalgardendesign.Amulti-ethnicgardencommitteewasformedandvisitedanumberofestablishedcommunitygardensandcityfarmstohelpthemwiththeirplanninganddevelopment.TheyjoinedFCFCGatanearlystageandcontinuetoseetheirmembershipasavaluabledevelopmentaltool.

Thegardenopenedin�00�andhascontinuedtoincreaseitsrangeofproduce.ThegardenhasrespondedtorequestsfromSouthAsiancommunitiesforspacetogrowexoticvegetables.Informalworkshopsinhangingbaskets,containergrowingandhorticulturearepopular,andtheInternationalClubprovideschildrenfromrefugeeandasylumseekerfamilieswithanopportunitytoenjoythespaceatweekends.

JaneJeoffrey,Arkwright’sChair,saidthesitehadbroughtmajorbenefitstolocalpeople:‘Beforethegardenswereinplace,thiswasadumpinggroundandawalk-throughfordogwalkers.Nowitisverydifferent.Thegardenhasdonealotfortheneighbourhood–weaimtoemploylocalpeopleandwebuylocally.Lotsofpeoplepayjust£�togetcheap,organicvegetablesfromthegarden.’

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Findoutwhoownsit:checkwiththecouncil;itwillusuallyknow.Alsoaskthecouncilifitknowsaboutanypollutionproblems.Majorproblemsinvolveseriouscontamination,usuallyfromindustrybasedonorbyasite.Removaloffly-tippingdoesnotusuallyleaveanylong-termproblems.Contaminationmayinvolveremovingsubstantialquantitiesofsoilandrubble:thiscanbeexpensive.ContacttheFederationofCityFarmsandCommunityGardens(FCFCG),anationalorganisationthatcanprovideinformationandadvice.Workoutifanyoneisusingthelandatpresent(includingkidsridingbikesetc.).Gettheminvolved.Letallthepeoplewholivenearitknowthatyou’rethinkingofimprovingthearea.Ifit’sbeingusedbadlytheymaybeverypleased,buttheymayalsobeworriedaboutincreaseduseresultinginmorenoiseetc.Makesureyourplansmeettheirneeds.OrganisationssuchasBTCVoffercoursesandpracticalactiondaystohelpyouandothersbuildyourskillsandexperience.

Whynotgrowyourownfood?

Onewaytohelpwithhealthyeatingistoencouragemorepeopletogrowfood.Ithasmanybenefits:peoplegetexerciseaswellasfreshfood,andtheysavemoney.

Thefirstquestionmostpeoplewillaskis‘where?’Theeasiestplaceisathome.Evenindenseurbanareas,halformorehomeshavegardens.Eveniftheydon’t,there’softenabalcony–it’ssurprisingwhatsomepeopledogrowinlimitedspaces.

Asecondchoiceisanallotment.Thereareover8000allotmentsitesacrosstheUK;somehavewaitinglists,whileothersarelookingfornewgrowers.Whileallotmentshavebeenindecline,recentincreasedactivitybyvariousorganisationsishelpingtoturnthisaround.

Thethirdchoiceistofindsomeotherlandanddevelopityourself.Hundredsofgroupshavedonethisinrecentyears.Communitygardenscanbecomemorethanjustasourceoffood:theymaybecomean

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unofficialcommunitycentre,wherepeoplemeet,shareideas(andfoodandseeds)andmaywellbeasourceofcommunitypride.Awell-runcommunitygardencanalsoprovidetraining,notonlyinhorticulture,butinadministrationandmanagementskills.


Thereareexpertgardenersineverycommunity:askaroundandthere’salmostcertainlysomeonewho’dbehappytogiveadvicetoanewfood-growingproject.Formoreadvice,seetheorganisationslistedinthe‘Information’section.Herearesomewaysofstarting:

Ifafewpeoplearethinkingofgrowingtheirownfood,considerorganisingagardeningclass:localfurthereducationcollegesmayhelp.Ifallotmentsorgardensarenotavailable,lookaroundforsuitableland(seethe‘Parksandgreenspaces’section),butmakesurethatthelandisnotcontaminatedbyprevioususe.Ifthereareolderpeoplewhohavegardensbutarenotusingthem,helpthembuildaone-to-onelinkwithsomeonelookingforspacetogrowfood.Findoutifthelocalschoolhasagarden,andifthereisscopeforcommunityinvolvement.Ifthereisanexistingcommunitygardenthatispurelyrecreational,wouldthoseinvolvedbeinterestedingrowingfoodaswell?Ifpeopleinflatsareinterested,getadviceonhowtheycouldgrowmaterialsontheirbalconies(orevengrowherbsinwindowboxes!).Youmaybeabletogethelp,adviceandsupportfromalocalcityfarmorothercommunityfood-growingprojectinyourarea.

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3.4 Travel wiselyEveryoneneedstotravel–towork,toschool,totheshopsandsoon.Ifit’shardtotravel,peopleareunabletogettotheirjobs,tohealthcareortoseefriends.Carsmaybeconvenientbutmanypeopledon’thaveone,andincreasingcarusedamagestheenvironment,people’shealthandsocietythroughairpollution,roadaccidentsandmore.

ACommunityChampioncanmakearealdifferenceby:Showingpeoplethereareotherwaystogetaroundthanbyusingacar;Helpingtacklesomeofthereasonswhypeopleneedtotraveloutoftheirlocalareabyimprovinglocalservices.

Oftenpeoplesimplydon’tknowwhatchoicestheyhave,soanimportantfirststepwillbetogetdetailsofthelocalbusandtrainservicesfortheareawhereyouwillbeworking.TheSustranswebsite(www.sustrans.org.uk)willgiveyouplentyofusefulideasaswell.Yourlocalcouncilshouldhaveatransportplan–checkthistoseewhatitmeansforyourneighbourhood.

Usingcarsless

Between��0and��8theproportionofjourneysmadebycargrewfrom��%to8�%(eventhoughthetimespenttravellinghasremainedconstantataroundanhouraday).It’snotsurprisingthattrafficjamsarebecomingmoreandmorecommon.Butaquarterofallcarjourneysarelessthan�km(afigurewhichvariesconsiderably–inManchester,forexample,halfofalltripsareunder�km)soitwouldbeeasyforpeopletogetwherethey’regoinginotherways.Thosewaysinclude:

Cycling

Thebicycleisaveryefficientmachine:peoplecaneasilycycletwoorthreetimesasfastastheywalk,withnopollutionorwaste.Cyclingisalsoaverygoodwaytogetfit.YetinmanyplacesintheUKveryfewpeoplecycle.Tworeasonsaresafetyandsecurity:itcanbeveryscarytodriveinheavytraffic,andbikescangetstolenifleftunattended.

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F irst steps to travelling wiselyAnyonecanmakeastart:

Ifyoudon’tknowalready,findoutwherethelocalbusservicescantakeyou

Makejourneysonfootorbicyclewherepossible

Usepublictransportinsteadofthecar

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There’splentythatcanbedone.Goodemployersareincreasinglyofferingsecurecycleparkingandchangingfacilitiesforcyclistswhomayarriveatworkhotandsweaty.Communitiescanplayanimportantpartinencouragingcycling,notleastthroughgettingchildrencycling.Cycleproficiencyschemeshelpchildrenstartsafely.Adultscansetagoodexamplebycyclingaswell.Manytownshavecyclinggroupswhocanprovideadvice(seesection�0,Further Information)andmayberuncyclerepair‘clinics’togetpeople’soldbikesfullyoperational.There’salotthatacommunitygroupcando:

Talkwithlocalpeopleaboutthebestroutesforcycling,e.g.tothetowncentreProduceacyclemapshowingsaferoutes(seetheTravelSmartsectionoftheSustranswebsitetoseeexamplesofgoodpracticeincreatingcyclemaps).Agreewhichroutesneedimprovingandwhattheproblemsare.Talktolocaltransportofficialsaboutthese(theyarealsotryingtomakeimprovements,sotheyshouldappreciateyourhelp).Organiseacyclerideforlocalpeople(perhapswithapicnic)RunacyclerepairclinicinyourneighbourhoodMakesurelocalcommunitycentreshavesecurecycleparkingTalkwithlocalemployersaboutprovidingchangingandparkingfacilitiesGetplaygroupsandchildren’sgroupstoorganisebiketraining.

Walking

Wealldoit–evenifit’sonlyfromthefrontdoortothecar!Butoftenit’snotaverypleasantexperience,especiallyinrun-down,built-upareasorinruralareaswherethere’snopavement.There’splentytobedonelocally,startingwithreportingunsafepavements,out-of-orderstreetlights,dangeroustraffic,thetimingofandneedfortrafficlights,andsoon.Manylocalcouncilshaveahot-linewheretheseproblemscanbereported.Acommunitysurveycouldidentifytheproblemareas,andhelpworkoutwherechangesarenecessary.

Thisisanissuewherecommunitygroupscanreallymakeadifference:Seecyclingsectionaboveforideasofhowtoimproveyourarea’swalkingandcyclingroutes.

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The ‘Walking Bus’AWalkingBusletsagroup,or‘bus’,ofchildrenwalkfromhometoschooleachmorningwiththehelpoftrainedadultsupervisors.Someincludeatrolleyforbagsetc.Insomeprimaryschoolsthishasledtoupto80%ofchildrenwalkingtoschool.Althoughwalkingbusesareausefulwayofencouragingchildrentowalktoschool,theyshouldalsoberegardedastemporarymeasuresnecessaryonlybecauseofthedangerinourstreetsfrommotortraffic.Saferoutesforallshouldbepossible.

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Getthecounciltogivehouseholdspostcardstoreportproblems.Asklocalpeopleaboutthebestpedestrianroutesandproduceawalkingmap.Getlocalhistoryclubstodolocalhistorywalkingtours.Talkwithyourlocalhealthtrustabout‘healthwalks’.Organisewalkingtoschoolclubs.GetadvicefromLivingStreets,thepedestrians’organisation.

Usingcarsless

Thisiswhereyoucanmakeanimportantdifference.Encourageeveryoneinyourgrouptothinkabouttheircaruse.Couldtheirnextjourneybemadeonfoot,bybike,orbybus?

Threelongertermwaysforwardare:Insomeplacespeoplehavelittlechoicebuttouseacar,sincepublictransportisnon-existentordoesn’tgototherightplacesattherighttimes.Thinkaboutservicesinyourneighbourhoodandworkwiththecounciltoimprovethem.Carsharingmakesgoodsense,butoftenpeopledon’tknowanyonelocallywhomakesthesamejourneytheydo.Acommunitygroupcouldhelpmatchpeopleup.Rush-hourtrafficisusuallyworseintermtimebecausepeopledrivechildrentoschool.Organisingwalk-to-schoolorcycle-to-schoolschemescanensuresafetyandhelpchildrenlearntobeindependent.

Changingwhereyoulive

Therearetwootherimportantissuesthatyoumaywanttolookat.

Road safety

Formanypeoplethemajortransportconcernisthelevelofaccidents.WhiletheUKhasfewaccidentscomparedtosomenations(��7�in�00�),it’sstillfartoomany,andahighproportioninvolvechildren.Transportpolicyhastriedtoreducethisalmostexclusivelybyremoving

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peoplefromourstreets,whichishavingadisastrouseffectonoursociety.Makingresidentialstreetssafeisanimportantpartofcreatingamoresustainablecommunity.

Themajorcauseofneighbourhoodaccidentsisverysimple:peopledrivingtoofast.Thereareseveralwaystoslowtraffic–roadhumpsor‘sleepingpolicemen’arejustone.Anotheristomakesuretherearespeedrestrictions.

Inurbanareasanotherideaiscatchingonfast.‘Homezones’isaDutchideanowbeingintroducedintheUK.Theideaistotransformaresidentialstreetandgivewalkingandcyclingprecedence.Pavementscanbewidenedandredesigned,andnewstreetfurnitureandtreeplantingcanchangehowpeopleusetheirstreets.

NorthmoorinManchesterisBritain’sfirstHomeZone.Localresidentsinfourstreetsworkedwiththecouncilandtwohousingassociationstodevelopideas.Modelsweremadeofpossiblelay-outsandafull-scalemock-upwassetupforadayinaclosed-offstreet.Thecompletedstreetisnowsafeforchildrentoplayin.NorthmoorwasoneofafewpilotHomeZoneschemesintheUK.Unfortunately,thepilotprojectscancostagreatdeal–£�millionto£�.5million–whichhaslimitedworkonexistingstreets.Sustransisnowlaunchinganew�-yearprojectcalledDIYStreetswhichwillworkwith�0streetsaroundtheUKtoachievethebasicprinciplesofHomeZonedesign,suchasreducedspeedsofmotortrafficandmakingstreetsmoreattractive,atamuchlowercost:www.sustrans.org.uk

Whatcommunitygroupscandotoimproveroadsafety:Checkwherethedangerareasare;localpeopleknowthemGetlocalresidentsinvolvedinworkingouthowtomaketheareasafer(seeDIYStreetsprojectabove)InvolveyourlocalcouncilloratanearlystageNegotiatewiththecouncilforimprovementsGetlocalgroupstooffertohelpthecouncile.g.withlandscapingortreeplanting.

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Improving access

Thebestwaytocuttravelistohavebetterlocalshopsandservicessowedon’tneedtodriveelsewhere.Anynewhousingestateshouldprovidespaceforamedicalcentre,shops,apub,anursery,acommunitycentreandsoon.Anyregenerationshouldconsiderwhatfacilitiesaremissingandhelpputthingsright.Otherservicessuchasschools,policestation,alibraryetcshouldbewithinwalkingdistance(perhaps�0minutes’walkpushingababybuggy).

MuchofBritain,andnotjustruralareas,doesn’thavethesefacilities,andintoomanycasesthingsaregettingworse.Postoffices,banks,healthcentresandsoonareincreasinglybeingcentralised.Theseservicesareimportantintheirownright,andalsobecausetheyprovidejobsandplaceswherelocalpeoplemeetandsocialise.


Communitiescancertainlyplayapartintacklingaccessissues,andnotjustbyprotestingagainstclosureoflocalservices:

Findouthowmanypeopleinyourareaareisolatedfrombasicservices:measurewhichareasandhowmanypeoplearemorethan�0minutes’walkfromservicecentres.Talkwiththecouncilaboutwaystoimprovelocalserviceprovision.Encouragethelibraryservicetobringitsmobileservicetoyourvillageorneighbourhood.Organisecarorminibus-sharingschemestovisitlargercentres.

3.5 Shop ethicallyAnyone’senvironmentalimpactisdirectlyrelatedtothegoodsandservicestheybuy.Wemaythinkaboutthisintermsof‘greenenergy’andobviouspurchasessuchaslow-energylightbulbs,buteverythingwebuyandusehassomeenvironmentalimpact.Itmakessensetotryandcutthatimpactwhereverpossible.

Theissueof‘sustainableproductionandconsumption’hasbecome

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F irst steps to shopping sensiblyAnyonecanmakeastart:

Takeashoppinglistandonlybuywhatyouneed!

Avoidover-packagedproductsandbuyloosefruitandvegetables

Buyfairtradefoodanddrink(andotherproducts)

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centraltomakingsustainabledevelopmentwork.Backin��,theUNAgenda��reportsuggestedthatunsustainablepatternsofconsumptionandproductionwere‘themajorcauseofcontinuedglobalenvironmentaldeterioration’,particularlyinrichercountries.WhileanyCommunityChampionprobablywon’twanttotalkwithlocalorganisationsabouttheseglobaltargets,itisimportanttoseehowlocalactionlinkstonationalandglobalplans.Thisisalsoimportantbecausethesekindsofactionsarewherealotofpeoplefeelthattheycanstarttochangetheirbehaviour.

Foodandhealthyeating

Foodisabigpartofthegoodswebuyanduse,andeatingwellisvitalforeveryone.Toeatwell,peopleneedtobeabletoaffordgoodfood,andhaveaccesstoplacestobuyit.Thismayseemobvious,butmanypeopleintheUKdon’talwayshaveeasyaccesstoshopswithreasonableprices.Poordietsleadtopoorhealth,andpoorerpeopleonlowincomessuffermorediet-relateddiseases,includingcancerandstrokes.Betterfoodforeveryonemakesverygoodsense,bothintermsofpeople’shealthandtheirenvironment.

Therearethreeplacestostart:Locally-grownfoodOrganicfoodFairly-tradedfood(seethenextsection)

Locally-grown food

Interestin‘localfood’hasgrownrapidlyinrecentyears.Therearenowmorethan500farmers’marketsacrosstheUKandthefirstonlyopenedin��7:that’saboutoneaweekopening.Afarmers’marketisamarketinwhichfarmers,growersorproducersfromadefinedlocalareaarepresentinpersontoselltheirownproduce,directtothepublic.Allproductssoldshouldhave‘beengrown,reared,caught,brewed,pickled,baked,smokedorprocessed’bythestallholder.Muchofitislikelytobeorganically-grown(seebelow).

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A food co-op ideaThe Four Groves Food Co-opintheRisedaleareaofBarrow-in-Furnesswassetupbylocalpeoplewhorealisedtherewasaneedforadoor-to-doordeliveryofhealthyfoodtoresidentswhohaddifficultygettingtotheshops.Theyincreasetheirsustainabilitybyusinga‘quadricycle’(alargefour-wheeledbike)todeliverthefoodorders.

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Suchmarketsusuallytakeplacemonthlyorfortnightlyandofferpeopleachancetobuyfooddirectfromthosewhogrewit.Organisingatripforgroupmemberstoalocalfarmers’marketmightbeagoodwayforanyChampiontostartgettinglocalgroupmemberstalkingaboutfood.TheWomen’sInstitutealsorunsmorethan500marketstallsforlocalproduce.

Locallyproducedfoodhasotherbenefits:itisn’tjustfresher;italsocutstheneedtocarryitaroundthecountryoracrosstheworld,savingenergyandcuttingpollution.Forproductsthataren’tgrownintheUK,suchascoffeeandtea,‘fair-trade’examplesarenowwidelyavailable,whereahigherproportionofwhatyoupaygoestothelocalproducers(seebelow).

Ifyouareworkingwithagroupthatiskeentodevelopactionaroundfood,thereareseveralwaysforward.Youcanalsostartgrowingyourownfoodandalsoperhapstrytobuilddirectlinkswithfoodproducers.Youcouldstartdoingthisbyarrangingavisittoanorganicfoodproducerwhosellsatyourfarmers’market;theorganisersmaybeabletoadviseyou.Someplacesaredeveloping‘communitysupportedagriculture’wherefarmsselldirectlytolocalpeopleorcommunities.

Organic food

Organicfoodisproducedwithouttheuseofartificialpesticidesorfertilisers.There’sbeenahugegrowthindemandforthis,andorganicfoodscanbefoundinmostsupermarketsaswellasbeingavailablefromlocalsuppliers.Youcanhelpbygettingtheuseoforganicfood‘normalised’,sothatpeoplebuyitaspartoftheirregularshopping.Communitygroupscanmakesurethattheybuyorganic(andideallyfairly-traded)tea,coffeeandbiscuitssothatpeoplewhodon’tyetbuythemcantrythemout.Avisittoanorganicfarmcanalsohelp(seeabove).

Somepeopledofeelthatorganicfoodistooexpensive;youcanhelptacklethisbydoingcostcomparisonsandalsosharingknowledgeaboutwhereorganicfoodisavailableatgoodprices.Youcanalsopromoteorganic‘vege-boxes’,schemeswherebypeoplegetaregulardeliveryoforganicvegetables.

3 The big issues

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Simply eating well

Foralotofpoorerpeople,thepriorityissimplytryingtoensurethatthefamilyiswellfed.Tohelpthem,anetworkof‘FoodPoverty’projectshasgrownacrosstheUK.Theseincludefood-buyingco-operativesandcommunitycafés.Anotherverypracticalwayforwardisgrowingfreshfood.TheFoodPovertyNetworkwassetupin��5andworkstoimproveaccesstohealthydietsforpeopleonlowincomes.Itlinkscampaigninggroupsandcommunityfoodprojectsincludingfoodco-operatives,communitycafés,groupsprovidingeducationoncookeryandnutrition,andmanymore.

FairTrade

Buyingfairly-tradedgoodslinksyouractionstopeopleacrosstheworld,sincefairly-tradedgoodsarethosewhicharecertifiedtoshowthattheoriginalfarmersorproducersarepaidafairandmeaningfulratefortheirproduce.

Fairlytradedteaandcoffeearenowbecomingquitecommon.Iftheideaisnewtoyourgroupyoucouldorganisea‘tastingsession’witharangeofteasandcoffees(andbiscuitsetc.)oryoucouldsimplystarttobuythesedrinksforthemeetingsofyourgroups.

ThereisalotofinformationavailableonFairTradeatwww.fairtrade.org.uk.ThisisthewebsitefortheFairTradeFoundationwhichrunstheFAIRTRADEMark.Thisisanindependentconsumerlabel‘whichappearsonproductsasanindependentguaranteethatdisadvantagedproducersinthedevelopingworldaregettingabetterdeal’.Thewebsitehasahugeamountofusefulinformation,includingideasonhowtogetyourtownorcitytobecomea‘fairtradetown’andonhowtoorganiseeventsfor‘fairtradefortnight’.

TherearealreadyagreatmanylocalFairTradegroupsacrossEngland–youmaywellfindonenearyou.Theywillprobablybehappytocomeandtalkabouttheissueorhelpyouorganiseaneventforyourgroup.Anddon’tforgetthatFairTradecoversmorethanjustfood–there’sfairlytradedclothingandevenfootballs.

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Look for the label

FairTradeandorganiclabelsonproductsmeanthatthoseproductsareproperlycertified.Therearenowanincreasingnumberofotherlabelsthatmakeclaimsaboutenvironmentalperformance,somefromlabellingschemes,butothersmayjusthavebeenaddedbytheshoporthemanufacturer.Someareveryimportant,suchasenergylabelling,whichwillgiveyouclearguidanceonhowmuchenergyisusedbyanymajornewappliance,suchasafridge.Peoplemayaskforadviceonthis,soit’sworthcheckingandperhapshavingadiscussionwithinthegroupaboutwhichlabelspeoplehaveseenandhowhelpfulpeoplethinktheyare.

Tacklingtheshoppinghabit

Thelastdecadehasseenanupsurgeinconsumption,andforsomepeopleitseemsasifshoppinghasbecomeawayoflifeandanendinitselfratherthansimplybeingawayofbuyingwhatyouneed.Wecertainlyneedtochangeourconsumptionpatternsbybuyingtherightproducts,betheyorganicorfairlytraded,butwealsoneedtoconsidercuttingourconsumption.TheUKislookingtocutCO�emissionsbyatleast�0%overthenext��years.Shoppinghabitswillchangealongwitheverythingelse.

‘BuyNothingDay’isanannualeventorganisedworldwidebyawidenetworkofgroupstodrawattentiontoover-consumption.Thismightbeausefulfocusfordiscussionwithinyourgroup.www.buynothingday.co.ukhaslotsofinformationaboutwhatisdonehereandelsewhereacrosstheworld.

Thereareanumberofthingsthatgroupscandotohelppeopleshop(andeat)inamoresustainablemanner:

OrganiseaFairTradeevening:Havefairlytradedgoodsavailabletotryandbuy.Ifpeoplearegoingtolargeout-of-townshoppingcentres,getthemtosharethecarjourneytosavefuelandencouragethemtoidentifypositivepurchasesandalsolookoutforthemostunnecessaryandover-packagedproducts

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3 The big issues

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Considersettingupabulk-buyschemefororganicvegetables,orfoodfromlocalfarms.Manyschemeswilldeliverfreshfoodtoacentralpointonceaweek,orsetuparotatogotothemainlocalmarket.Makecontactwithlocalfarmsandseeifanyareinterestedindoingdirectdeliveries:alternativelyorganisecar-sharetripstopick-your-ownfarms.Promotethecampaigntogeteveryoneeatingfiveormoreportionsoffruitandvegetableseveryday.Makesurethecaféinanycommunitycentreyouuseisusingfair-tradeproductswhereverpossibleandideallyorganiclocallyproducedfood.Askyourcouncilwhatit’sdoingtouselocallyproducedfoodinschoolmeals,meals-on-wheelsetc.

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3 The big issues

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�7

� Makingthelinks

Environmental action and sustainable development Anyneighbourhoodhasawholerangeof‘socialissues’.Someofthesemaycomeupinyourdiscussions,andyoumaywonderwhatthesehavetodowiththeenvironment.Thereareasurprisingnumberofwaysinwhichsocialandenvironmentalissueslinkandsupporteachother,andcentraltothisistheideaof‘sustainabledevelopment’.

SustainabledevelopmenthasbeenaroundasanideaintheUKsincethe��UNWorldSummitinRio.WehaveaUKSustainableDevelopmentStrategy(seesection�).Whilethisphrasecanbeconfusing,it’snowusedinmanygovernmentdocumentsandinfundingprogrammes.Ifyouandyourgrouparegoingtodealwithofficialsandgrant-makers,thenitmakesverygoodsensetogettogripswithsustainabledevelopmentand‘sustainability’.

Onereasonitissoconfusingisthattherearemanydifferentdefinitions(seeoverleaffortwothatarerelevant).Butthesimplestwaytothinkaboutitisstillaboutlinkingenvironmental,socialandeconomicdevelopment.

Thisoftenmakesperfectsenseatalocallevel.Whatevertheproblemsinanyneighbourhood,peopleneed:

AbetterlocalenvironmentAbetterlocaleconomyBettersocialconditions

Ifaprojectcanhelpimproveallthesethree,it’slikelyitwillgenuinelyhelptodeliver‘sustainabledevelopment’.Fewlocalprojectstrytodoeverythingrightfromthestart,butgoodlocalprojectsoftendoalittlebitofeverything.

There’sanotherwaytothinkabout‘sustainabledevelopment’thatmay

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So what does sustainable development mean?Therearemanydefinitions!The‘original’definitionisfromthe‘BrundtlandReport’(thereportoftheUNWorldCommissiononEnvironmentandDevelopment)in��87,whichsaidthatsustainabledevelopmentis‘Developmentthatmeetstheneedsofpresentgenerationswithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds.’

Thishasbeensummarisedas‘notcheatingonourgrandchildren’!

TheUNEarthSummitinRioin��setouttheideainthe‘Agenda��’reportthatthisshouldbeaboutintegratingenvironmental,socialandeconomicissues.

Sustainabledevelopmentisnowakeystrandinnationalpolicy.ThecurrentUKSustainableDevelopmentStrategy,Securing Our Future,setsoutfiveprinciples:

Livingwithinenvironmentallimits

Ensuringastrong,healthyandjustsociety

Achievingasustainableeconomy

Promotinggoodgovernance

Usingsoundscienceresponsibly

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helppeopleinyourgroupdiscussandunderstandtheterm:Developmentmeanschangeorgrowth.Sustainablemeansthingsthatlast.

Thisisaboutmakingchangesthatlast,aboutmakingthingsbetternowandinthefuture.

Atthecoreofthisideaisthematterofmeetingpeople’sneeds–forahome,foradecentjob,foreducationfortheirchildren,forgoodhealthcare,andforasafeandhealthyneighbourhoodtolivein.

Thisisnotjustalocalissue.Thesameproblemsarefacedatanationallevel.Ifthegovernmentsoftheworldaretodealwithpoverty,theydon’tjustneedtoprovidemoneyandfoodaid;theyneedtohelplocalpeoplebecomeeducatedandgetjobs.Peoplealsoneedasafeenvironmentwithadequatehomesanddrinkingwater.Tomakethesethingswork,governmentsalsoneedtomakesurethatpeoplehaveaneffectivevoiceindecidingwhathappenswheretheylive.

Arangeoflocalsocialissuesthatlinktoenvironmentalconcernsarediscussedinthenextsection.

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4 Making the links

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5 Communityissues

Theenvironmentisonlyoneaspectofwherepeoplelive.There’sawholerangeofothermattersthatconcernpeopleandwheretheywanttoseeimprovement.Ifyou’retryingtohelppeoplechangetheareawheretheyliveforthebetteryouneedtokeepinmindhowwhatyouaredoinglinkstothiswidersocialagenda.Thissectionlooksatsomeoftheissuesthatmaycomeupinyourdiscussionsandhowtheseissueslinktoenvironmentalconcerns.

Thelocaleconomy

Your‘localeconomy’maynotalwaysbeveryobvious,butit’scomplexandsurprisinglylarge.

It’sabouthowweorganiseinordertogetallthegoodsandservicesweneedtoliveinthewaywewant.Buthoweveryoulookatthelocaleconomy,youseemoneydisappearingoutoftheareaintothebankaccountsoflargecompaniessuchassupermarkets,electricitycompanies,andthebanksthemselves.Even‘local’businessessuchasthepubareprobablypartofaninternationalcompany.

Thismaynotseemtobeaproblem:supermarketsandbankscreatejobsandpaywages.Butacloserlookshowshowthingsarechanging:smallbusinessesaresqueezedout,thebutcher’sbecomesatake-awayfoodshop,andasstoresgetlarger,sotheymovefurtheraway,andwehavetotravelfurthertogetwhatweneed.

Muchofwhatweneednowcomesfromallovertheworld,whetherit’sfoodorclothing.Thisaddsfurtherproblems:allthetrucks,trainsandboatsmerelyaddtoglobalpollutionproblems,andgrowingluxuryvegetablesandflowersinAfricatakesuplandandwaterthatcouldbeusedtogrowfoodforlocalpeople.

Wecan’tgetawayfromtheglobaleconomy,butitdoesmakesensetotrytomakesurethatourbitworksforus.Almosteverytimemoneychangeshands,someonemakesaprofit:themorethoseprofitsstayinthearea,thestrongerthelocaleconomy.ResearchinCornwallshowed

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that£�0spentonalocalfoodschemegeneratedaround£�5forthelocaleconomy,comparedto£��for£�0spentinasupermarket.

Yourgroupmayfeelthatthisisanareatheywanttolookat.Iftheydo,there’splentytobedone!Onewayinwhichpeoplecanstrengthentheirlocaleconomyisto‘plugtheleaks’–tofindwaystouselocalproductsandserviceswhereverpossible,andtoencouragelocalbusinessandcommunitiestotradewitheachother.Inthiswaymoneycirculateswithinalocalcommunityforaslongaspossibleanddoesn’t‘leakout’.ThisapproachisbeingdevelopedbytheNewEconomicsFoundation(www.neweconomics.org).

Local shops and services

Thisisanissuewherethedividebetweenruralandurbanareasisobvious.Smallvillageshavebeenlosingshopsformanyyears,forcingpeopletodrivetobuyevenbasicfoodstuffs,whilealmostallurbanareashaveatleastacornershop.Buttheexistenceofsuchshopsdoesn’tmeanthattherearenoproblems.Smallconvenienceshopsoftenchargehigherprices,andofferonlyalimitedrangeofgoods.Manypoorurbanareaslackgoodaccesstofreshfruitandvegetables,andthiscontributestohealthproblems.

Who needs money? – LETS schemes and Time Banks

Moneyisonlyawaytoexchangethevalueofgoodsandservices:LocalExchangeTradingSchemes(LETS)offeradifferentwaytodothis.LETSarecommunity-basednetworksinwhichpeopleexchangegoodsandserviceswithoneanother,withouttheneedformoney.

PeoplejoinalocalLETSschemeanddecidewhatskillstheyhavetooffer,fromspecialistskills,tocleaningordog-walking:adirectoryletsmembersknowwhatisonoffer.Peopletradebyaskinganothermemberforaserviceandpaythemusingachequemadeoutinthe‘localcurrency’,whichisdepositedwiththelocalco-ordinator.LETSdoesnotworklikemoney:itisbasedonpeopledoingworkforeachotherandisthusalwaysavailable.Youdonothavetoearnbeforeyoucanspend,andthebenefitsstayinthelocalcommunity.Therearenowsome�50schemesintheUK,eachwiththeirowncurrency,suchas‘Bobbins’inManchester,or‘Oswalds’inOswestry.

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Asimilarschemeis‘TimeBanks’,describedas‘awayforpeopletocometogetherandhelpeachother’.Participants‘deposit’theirtimeinthebankbygivingpracticalhelpandsupport,andareableto‘withdraw’theirtimewhentheyneedsomethingdonethemselves.Everyone’stimeisworththesameandabrokerlinkspeopleupandkeepsrecords.Therearenow7�activetimebanksintheUK(and��moreunderdevelopment)withnearly�000participants.Ifyouwanttoknowmore,lookatwww.timebanks.co.uk.

Localsocialissues

There’salotgoingoninyourarea,andoftenyoudon’tnoticeituntilsomethinggoeswrong.Localservicesinclude:

HealthcareSafetyandpolicingEducationLocalshopsEnvironmentalservices(suchaswasteandcleansing)Publictransport.

Thereare,ofcourse,otherservicessuchaslocalplanningthatarecity-ordistrict-wide,butthislistcoversmostbasicconcerns.Theenvironmentaloneshavebeendealtwithintheearliersections:thissectionlooksatwhereacommunitygroupmightstart.

Awiderangeofcommunitygroupsenablelocalpeopletotacklethekeyservicesthatareoperatingintheirarea.Peoplewillhavedifferentideasaboutthemostimportantlocalservices–ifsomeonehasnochildren,theymaybelessworriedaboutthequalityofschools–butmostpeoplewillagreeonacoreofservicesthatareneeded.

Whatcommunitygroupscando:Organisebulk-buyandhome-deliveryschemes.Organisea‘supportyourlocaltrader’campaignwithlocalbusinesssupportorganisations.EncouragememberstojoinalocalexchangetradingschemeoraTimeBank(orsetoneup!)Ifthere’saserviceneededlocally,considersettingupacommunitybusinesstoprovideit(gethelponthis).Setupacreditunion(supportorganisationsexist).

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5 Community issues

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BTCV Green Gym®

In��onelocaldoctorinBerkshiredevelopedaplanwithalocalBTCVconservationgrouptohelppeoplekeepfitandstayhealthywhiledoingconservationwork.Thisprojecthasgrownintothe‘GreenGym’network.Peoplegetoutintothecountryside,getexercise,andtheybenefitthelocalenvironment.Therearenowsome70similarschemesacrosstheUK.Doctorsareincreasinglyprescribingexerciseasawaytokeephealthy.Moreinformationisavailableatwww.btcv.org.

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Setupadevelopmenttrustifyouareseriousaboutthissortofwork.

Healthy living

Social,economicandenvironmentalfactorscanalldamageourhealth.Healthisaffectedbythequalityofthelivingenvironmentandpovertyaswellasbypollution,poordietandlackofexercise.Ifwearetoimproveourhealth,wehavetotackletheseissuesaswell:thisisanexampleofsustainabledevelopmentinpractice.Asustainableapproachtobeinghealthyistoavoidfallingillwhereverpossible.Aswithcrime,it’sbettertopreventitthancureit.

TherehavebeenmanychangesinhealthcareintheUKoverthelastfewyears,butsomeofthosechangesaremovinginthedirectionofsustainabledevelopment,andoffercommunitiesnewchancestocreatebetterhealthforeveryone.Healthcareisorganisedthrough‘primarycaretrusts’.Theseprovidemedicalcarebutalsoworkonhealthpromotion.

Asuccessionof‘foodscares’hasmademanypeoplethinkmuchmoreaboutwhattheyeat.Healthtrustspromotethe‘fiveaday’programme,encouragingeveryonetoeatfiveportionsoffruitorvegetableseveryday,whilethereisalsomuchincreasedinterestinfresh,locallyproducedfood,andinorganicfood(see�.�Why not grow your own food?).

Communitygroupscancertainlyplayapartinhelpingpeoplekeephealthy:

Findoutwhatorganisationsofferadviceonhealthylivinginyourareaandpromotetheiractivitiestolocalpeople.Ifthereisn’tone,askwhynot!Ifpeoplewanttobecomeactive,runhealthimprovementclassesinalocalcommunitycentre,setupaGreenGymorsimplyofferlocalsupportforpeoplewantingtogiveupsmoking.Yourlocalprimarycaretrustshouldbeabletohelp.Ifthereseemtobepollutionproblemsinyourarea,whetherfromtraffic,industryorwastedumping,askthecouncilwhatit’sdoingtolimitthis.Localenvironmentalgroupsmayalsobeasourceofinformationandsupport(seesection�0,Further Information).

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5 Community issues

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CrimeandCommunitySafety

Ifpeoplearescaredtogooutatnight(orevenduringtheday)thenitmaybehardtogettheminvolved.Cuttingcrimeandthefearofcrimearevitaltocreatingbetterplacestolive.

Mostpeoplegofortheobvioussolution:morepoliceonthestreets.Thisdoesreducecrime,andmanyneighbourhoodsnowhavedesignatedlocalofficers.Butit’sonlypartofthestory.Crimecanoftenbeavoided,andcrimepreventioncanworkwellatacommunitylevel.

Designing out crime

Somecrimecanbepreventedbygooddesignandenvironmentalimprovements.Atthemostbasiclevelthismeansplantingthornybushesinfrontofground-floorwindows(thisworks!).Otherbasicmeasuresincludeprovidingbetterlighting,replacingwallsthatcriminalscanhidebehindwithfencesthroughwhichtheycanbeseen,andmakingsurethatpublicspacesdon’tincludenooksandcornerswherepeoplecanhide.

Localpeoplewillusuallybeawarewhichplacesintheareafeelunsafe:awalkaroundtheareawithresidentswillidentifyplaceswhereimprovementisneeded.

There’salotthatlocalpeoplecandototacklecrimeaspartofcreatingmoresustainablecommunities:

Contactyourlocalbeatofficerandinvitethemtoameetingtodiscussconcerns.Findoutmoreaboutyourlocalcommunitysafetypartnership(askyourlocalcouncillor)andseehowyoucangetinvolved.Organisea‘crime-spotting’walkalongwithcouncillors,councilstaffandthepolice,andidentifytheproblemareas.Getthecounciltoworkwithlocalpeopletocomeupwithpracticalsolutions.TalkwithaNeighbourhoodWatchgroup.ThisisnowthelargestgroupofvolunteerorganisationsintheUKwithover�55,000schemescovering�0millionpeople.

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57

Education

Educationisnotjustaboutschools.Itisalsoaboutmakingsurethatpeoplehaveaccesstotheskills,knowledgeandinformationtheyneedtoenablethemtoplayafullpartinthecommunity.Thesecouldbeskillsto:

SpeakupinmeetingsSetupanewbusinessCookandeatmorehealthily(andgrowyourownfood)RunacommunitygroupSaveenergyinthehomePrepareafund-raisingapplicationUsingtheinterneteffectivelyDealmoreeffectivelywiththecouncilorserviceproviders.

Educationcanalsoinvolvediscussiongroupsabouttheenvironment!Ifyouwanttoorganiseeventstohelplocalpeoplebuildtheirskills,contactalocalcommunitycentreorthecouncilandaskforinformationaboutcommunityeducation.Theremaybefundsavailabletohelprunclassesortheremayalreadybeclassesrunningontheissuesyouwant.

Informaleducationcanalsobeimportant.Practicalenvironmentalwork,tripstoeducationalcentres,meetingswithothergroupsworkingonthesameissues,andtrainingcoursesallhelpbuildconfidenceandskills.Asyourgroupdevelops,keepthisinmindandwatchforpeoplewhoarekeentobuildtheirskills.

Schoolsthemselvescanalsoplayanimportantpartinacommunity;theymayhavethebestfacilitiesinthearea,andifthesecanbeusedbythecommunityafterschool,theneveryonebenefits.

There’splentythatacommunitygroupcando:Findoutwhateveningclassesareonofferintheareaandpublicisethem.Findoutwhatskillslocalpeoplealreadyhaveandconsiderinformalskill-sharingevenings.Organisetripstoplacesorcentresthatwouldofferlocalpeopleausefullearningexperience.Bringinexpertstotalkaboutandexplainnewinitiativesinthearea.

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� EveryActionCountsandCommunityChampions

ThissectionsetsoutwhatEveryActionCountsdoesandhowtheworkoftheCommunityChampionslinkswiththeotheractivities.

EveryActionCounts(EAC)isaprogrammetoengagenationalandlocalvoluntaryandcommunitysectororganisationsacrossEnglandinworktoprotectandimproveourenvironmentandtodeliversustainabledevelopment.Thisworkwillhelptackleglobalclimatechangeandmovestowards‘oneplanetliving’.Giventhattherearesome750,000communityorganisationsintheUK,thisisahugeopportunitytobringaboutimportantenvironmentalchangesandimprovements.

EACisfundedbyDefra(TheDepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs)andhasatotalbudgetof£�millionoverthreeyears.ItismanagedbytheCommunitySectorCoalitionwhichhasdevelopedaconsortiumof�5organisationstodeliverthiswork;someareenvironmentalorganisationsbutmostarefromthewiderVoluntaryandCommunitySector(VCS)andincludethenationalbodiesthatlinkCouncilsforVoluntaryService,ParishCouncils,theWomen’sInstitutes,andallsortsofcommunityorganisations.

EveryActionCounts(EAC)workfocusesonfive‘themes’:SaveenergyTravelwiselySaveourresourcesCareforyourareaShopethically

Theprogrammeaimstogetupto��,000communitygroupstotakeaction.ItiscalledEveryActionCountssinceoneaimistoshowhowmanysmalllocalactionscanhaveasignificantcumulativenationalimpact,bothintermsofpracticalchange(suchastheamountofenergysaved)andintermsofpublicinvolvement.

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TherearefivepartsoftheEveryActionCountsprogramme

1 The ‘Community Champions’.

Ifyou’rereadingthisyoumaybeoneofthem!TheChampionsarebeingtrainedsothattheycanadviseandinspirelocalorganisationstotakeactionandmakechanges.ThisworkisrunbyBTCV.

2 A website and supporting resources

Awebsiteisthe‘firstpointofcontact’fortheprogramme.Itisdesignedtoencouragecommunityorganisationstosignupandtotakeaction.Itoffersadviceandhelpsgroupsassesstheimpactofwhattheyaredoing.Itletsyouaccesstoolkitsandguidancematerialsandmany‘goodpractice’casestudies.Thisworkisrunbybassac(www.bassac.org.uk).Seebelowforsomemoreguidance.

3 A programme to help and support national Voluntary and Community Sector bodies to work on these issues

Thisstrandwillhelptheseorganisationstolinkworkontheseissueswiththeirexistingprogrammeandtodrawuptheirownactionplansforsustainabledevelopment.Thisworkisrunbybassac.

4 A training programme for community workers

Thiswillhelpthoseworkingwithcommunitiestoengagewiththeseissuesandtobuildtheirskills.ThisworkisrunbytheFederationforCommunityDevelopmentLearning.

5 A ‘good practice’ programme

Goodpracticebycommunitygroupswillbeidentifiedandpromotedtohelpgroupslearnfromeachother.ThisworkisrunbyCapacityGlobal.Ifyouareworkingwithagroupthatyouthinkaredoingsomethingthatotherswouldliketohearaboutorcouldlearnfrom,thenpleaseletCapacityGlobalknowaboutit!

ThewholeEACprogrammeismanagedfortheCSCbytheCommunityDevelopmentFoundation(CDF).

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www.everyactioncounts.org.uk

TheEACwebsiteisatthecoreofthisprogramme.Itisfullyinteractiveanditisworthspendingsometimelookingatthedifferentelementsandatwhatmaybeusefulforyourwork.Thewebsiteincludes:

Homepages:theseareanintroductionandwelcomepage,anddirectionstothemostrelevantpartsofthesiteGettingstarted:thisisafour-stepprocessthattakespeoplethroughregisteringtheirgroupandencouragesthemtotakestockofwhattheirgroupdoesnowandtostartdevelopinganactionplanThe‘evaluator’:thissectiontakespeoplethroughasetofquestionsaboutwhattheirgroupisdoingandhelpsthemassesstheirprogressthroughascoringsystem.Italsoprovidesadviceonnextsteps.Alibraryoffact-sheets,resourcesandtoolkits(fromawiderangeoforganisations)providedetailedguidanceforgroupsseekingtodevelopenvironmentalactionandlonger-termprojectsTherearespecificsectionsforcommunitychampionsandalsoforcommunityworkersandnationalVCSgroups.Thesewillgrowtoincludespecificinformationandroomforusergroupsetc.Discussionforumsandnewsspacewillenablepeopletokeepuptodatewithdevelopmentsandtoshareideasandopinions.Goodpracticecasestudiesareeasilyavailabletoprovideideasandinspiration.Youareinvitedtocontributeyourownexamples.

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6 Every Action Counts and Community Champions

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7 Thenextsteps

We’vealreadysaidthatbecomingaCommunityChampionisjustonesteponapaththatcangowhereveryouwant.Youcansimplydotheworkwithyourgrouporyoucangoontodomoreworkinthisfield.Thereareagreatmanypeopleworkingforenvironmentalorganisationswhostartedoutaslocalvolunteers.Thissectionlooksatwhatyoumightwanttodoonceyourlocalgroupisactiveandneedslesssupport.

Gettingmoregroupsinvolved

Thereareprobablyanumberofgroupswhereyoulivewhocouldbenefitfromhavingenvironmentaladvice.There’salsoonlysomuchonepersoncando.Ifyouarekeentogetmoregroupsinvolved,thinkabouthowmuchyoucanputin,butalsolookaroundforotherpeoplewhomightbeinterestedindoingwhatyoudo.Ifyoucanfindotherstoworkwithyou,encouragethemtoregisterasachampiontogetthetoolsandtraining,andthenlookathowyoucanworktogether.Youmayevenwanttoformalocalnetworkandpublicisewhatyoucanoffertolocalcommunitygroups.

Buildingyourskills

BeingaCommunityChampionforEveryActionCountsinvolvescoveringalotofissuesfromwasteandrubbish,toclimatechangeandfairtrade.It’shardtoknowalotaboutalltheseissues,andyoumayfindthatyouwanttodevelopyourskillsandinterestsononeortwoissues.

ManyofthepartnerswithinEveryActionCountshavespecificprogrammesthatcanhelpyouinthis.Seesection�0,Further informationsection.Youcanjoinanetworksuchas‘CommunityActionforEnergy’oryoucouldspecialiseandbecomea‘communitycompostchampion’ora‘localrecyclinghero’ora‘treewarden’,allwithanimportantparttoplayinthelocalcommunity.

You’llhaveworkedoutbynowthatmanyimportantlocalservicesare

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deliveredbyyourlocalcouncilandmaybeyouwanttoinfluencethemsothattheseservicesarerunbetter(andinamoreenvironment-friendlymanner).YourlocalCouncilforVoluntaryServiceswillbeabletoadviseyouonhowtogetmoreinvolved.Andifyouthinkyoucouldrunthingsbetter,youcouldeventhinkaboutstandingasalocalcouncillor!

Workingwithothercommunities

It’s(fairly!)easyworkingwithpeopleyouknow.Butlocalcommunitygroupscanbeverydifferent,whethertheyinvolvepeoplefromdifferentethnicbackgrounds,differentfaiths,withverydifferentinterests(whatwouldinterestafootballfanclub?)orsimplyfromdifferentpartsoftown.Whatworkswithonemaynotworkwithanother.Ifyouareinterestedindevelopingyourworkwithawiderrangeofcommunities,youshouldgetadviceandperhapssometraining.Yourlocalcouncilenvironmentalofficermaybeabletoofferadviceonthis,ascanBTCV,whocanalsoofferexperienceaswellthroughtheirvolunteerprogrammes.AlocalInterfaithCouncil(whichyoucanfindthroughtalkingwithanyfaithgroup)mayofferwaystoapproachotherfaithgroups.

Communitydevelopment

AlotofwhatanyChampionwilldowithalocalorganisationisaboutbuildingtheskillsandconfidenceofthatgroup–aprocessoftendescribedas‘communitydevelopment’.Theskillsyouneedtodothiswellarebroadlythesamewhichevergroupyouareworkingwithandwhateverthetopic.Somepeoplefindtheyreallyenjoythisworkandaregoodatit.Ifyouaresomeonelikethatthenyoumightwanttolookatgettingtrainingandqualifications.TheCommunityDevelopmentFoundationandtheFederationforCommunityDevelopmentLearning(FCDL)arebothmembersofEACandcanofferadviceonthis.TheFCDL‘supportthedevelopmentofcommunitiesthroughadvancingandpromotingcommunitydevelopmentlearningatlocal,regionalandnationallevels,andcreatingrelevantopportunitiesforgoodqualitytrainingandqualifications’.Findoutmoreatwww.fcdl.org.uk.

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8 WhatcanIdo?

Supporting individual actionEveryactiondoesindeedcountandeveryonecandosomething.Thissectionliststhethingsthatmostpeopleinanygroupcando.Mostarefairlyeasily,butsomerequiremorethought.

ThosemarkedAcostnothingbutalittletimeandthought;ThosemarkedBinvolvesomesmallfinancialcosts;ThosemarkedCmayinvolvesomelearning,planningandinvestment.

Manypeoplewillhavedonesomeofthesealready.Somecanbedoneonce(suchasfittingawatersaverintoiletcisterns)andothersarethingsthatneedtobedoneregularly(andthusbecomegoodhabits).

�. Saveenergy

A Don’tleaveelectricalitems(e.g.theTV)onstandbyA Turnofflightsandreduce(orturnoff)theheatingin unusedroomsA Turndownthethermostatto��˚C*

A Putonextraclothinginsteadofturninguptheheating

B Installenergy-savinglightbulbsB Draught-proofthehouseB Fitaninsulationjackettothehotwatertankifyouhaveone

C SwitchtoagreenelectricitysupplyC FitloftandcavitywallinsulationC SetyourselfanannualtargettoreduceyourCO

�emissions,

andmonitorprogress

* 21˚C is the recommended level for older people. If your household consists only of fit,

younger people you may wish to have it on a lower temperature.

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And…Usewashingmachineat�0˚CDryyourclothesonaline(insteadofusingadryer)OnlyboilasmuchwaterasyouneedRunyourfridgeatbetween�and5˚CUnplugrechargerswhennotinuseFitshelvesaboveradiatorsunderwindowsFitthermostaticradiatorvalvesPurchaseenergyefficientappliances

�. Travelwisely

A Ifyoudon’tknowalready,findoutwherethelocalbusservices cantakeyouA MakejourneysonfootwherepossibleA Combineseveralpurposesinonejourney

B UsepublictransportinsteadofthecarB Useabicyclewherepossible(andgetitserviced)

C Ifyouuseacar,plantoreduceyourcaruseC Ifyouuseacar,servicetheengineregularlyandmaintainthe correcttyrepressure

�. Saveourresources

A Useyourkerbsiderecyclingcollectionandlocal‘bring’sitesA Avoidover-packagedproductsA UseyourownshoppingbagB Userechargeablebatteries,notdisposablesB Buyrecycledproducts(suchaspaperproducts)

C BuyrecyclableandrepairableproductswherepossibleC Sendunwantedfurnitureandotheritemstoreuseschemes, charityshopsetc.

And…Buynon-perishablegoodsinbulkReusecarrierbags

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BuyproductsthatcomeinrefillablebottlesfromstoresthatwillrefillthemBuyproductsthatcomeinreusablecontainersBuyvintageorsecondhandclothingSetupacompostschemeforyourgardenandfoodwasteDisposeofhouseholdproductssafely(pesticides,oils,chemicals,paints,batteriesetc.,)DisposeoffridgesandfreezersatspecialfacilitiesRecycleusedmotoroilatspecialfacilities

�. Careforyourarea

A GetactiveinanEnvironmentorConservationGroupA Reportfly-tippingandabandonedvehiclesA Voteinelections

C HaveasayinyourlocalSustainableCommunityStrategyor NeighbourhoodPlanC Standasalocalcouncillor

And…Thinkaboutyourgarden(seesection�foractions)

5. Shopethically

A Takeashoppinglist(andonlybuywhatyouneed!)A UselocalshopsA Avoidover-packagedproductsandbuyloosefruit andvegetables

B BuyFairTradefoodanddrink(andotherproducts)B Buymorelocalandseasonalandorganicfood

Andreadthelabels,then:Reduceyour‘foodmiles’AvoidfishfromuncertifiedorunsustainablestocksAvoidGenetically-ModifiedfoodsAvoidproductstestedonanimalsAvoidunethicalproductsBuycertified‘green’products

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BuyFSC-certifiedtimberproductsBuy‘Ecolabel’(EU)productsAvoidproductscontainingchlorine(e.g.bleach)Shopatfarmers’marketsandsupportlocalbreweries

�. Athome

A DrinktapwaterratherthanpayingforbottledwaterA PutlidsonpanswhencookingA Cutdownontheamountofmeatproductsyoueat

B Useeco-friendlyproductsforredecoration

C Useethicalbanks,insurers,pensionfundsetc.C Useacharitycreditcard

7. WaterUse

A Don’tleavetapsrunningA FitawatersaverinyourtoiletcisternA Flushthetoiletlessoften

B FixdrippingtapsB Repairanyleaks(anddemandrapidactionfromyourwater companyonleaks)

C InstalldualflushorlowflushtoiletsandspraytapsC Haveawatermeterfitted

8. IntheGarden

A AvoidbuyingpeatcompostA Useawateringcan(notahoseorsprinkler)andwaterplants intheearlymorningorlateevening

B Usenaturalmethodsofcombatingpests,andavoidpesticidesB Usenativetrees,plantsandwildflowers

C CollectrainwaterforwateringpotsandtubsC Growyourownfoodandperhapsgetanallotment

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And…Don’tuseafuel-poweredlawnmowerUselocallyproducedcharcoalPlantdrought-tolerantplantsUsemulchinbedsandborders

�. Onholiday

A AvoidsouvenirsmadefromendangeredspeciesA Don’tchangeyourhoteltowelsdailyA Uselocalpublictransportratherthanhiringacar

C Usetravelagenciesandcompaniesthatpromote‘eco-tourism’C TakeholidayswithintheUK

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� Champions’support

�.� Expenses

Asavolunteeryouareeligibletoreceiveout-of-pocketexpenseswhilebeingachampion.

Accommodationandmeals Usuallypre-bookedandpaidforunlessotherwiseadvised

MealsandBeverages Canbeclaimedforduringtraveltoanevent

Childcare CanbeclaimedfortheperiodofattendingthetrainingcourseandvisitinggroupstogothroughtheEACprocess

Travelcosts Canbeclaimedforpublictransporttoandfromtheevent.Ifyouhavetouseyourcarwewillpayarateof�0pencepermile

Youwillneedtokeepthereceiptsandfillinasimpleclaimformavailablefrom:

CommunityChampionsTeam,BTCV,SedumHouse,MallardWay,DoncasterDN�8DB.Tel:0��0��888��[email protected]

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourexpenses,whatcanbeclaimed,orhowtofilltheformin,pleasecontacttheteam.

�.� Telephonesupport

Itislikelythatatsomepointthecommunitygroupyouareworkingwithwillcomeupwithaquestionthatyoucannotanswer.ThefirstplacetolookisinthishandbookandtheEACwebsite;however,ifyoucannotfindittrytheCommunityChampionsTeam.Ifpossible,theywillfindoutforyou;itmaytakeadayortwo,buttheyhavetheresourcesof�7leadingcommunityandenvironmentalorganisationsinthispartnership,soshouldbeabletocomeupwithananswerfromsomewhere.

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Wehopetoputthemostcommonquestionsonthewebsite,sothatwouldbethefirstplacetolook.IfthequeryisverytechnicaloryouneedadviceonwhethertodoactionAratherthanactionB,wemayneedmoreinformation,andthenputyouindirecttouchwithanexpert.

Iamsurethattherewillbesomequestionsthathavenosatisfactoryanswer,buttheworldisnotperfect.

�.� Workshops

WewillbeorganisingworkshopsinyourregiontoencourageChampionstocometogetherandshareyourexperiences.WeareverykeentohearhowyouarefindingtheChampionroleandifthereisanythingmorewecandotohelp.

�.� Newsletter

YouwillbereceivingamonthlynewsletterfromtheEACteam.Toreduceenvironmentalimpact,itwillbee-mailedtoyou.Thiswillkeepyouuptodatewiththewholeprogramme.Championswillhavetheirownsection,sothereisaneedforstoriesaboutyourexperiences.Remember,asharedexperiencecouldbejustwhatanotherchampionwaslookingfortohelpthemwithanissuetheyaredealingwith.

�.5 Champions’safetyguide

BTCVisdedicatedtothepersonalsafetyofvolunteers,andtreatsanyactofaggressionveryseriously.Actsofviolence,abuse,intimidationandrobberyarerare,buttheycanhappen.Thereforemeetingmembersofthepublicandtravellingtomeetingspresentsasmallbutapossiblerisktoyourpersonalsafety.Pleasereadthisguidance,aswewantyoutostaysafe.

Forwardthinking

Abitofforwardthinkingcancontrolorremovetherisksyouface,helpyoucopewiththeunexpectedandpreventyoufrombecomingavictim.Thinkabout:

Whatyouaregoingtodoifyoumissthelastbushome.●

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Whatyouneedifyouloseyourpurseorwallet.Whattodoifapersongetsangryduringameeting.

Thisguidanceshouldturnsomeofthesethoughtsintoactions.ComfortzoneWhenyouareinyourcomfortzone,youfeelsafe.Stayinyourcomfortzonebyavoidingthingsthatmakeyoufeelunsafe.Forexample,youmaynotlikeusingbuseslateatnight,souseataxiinstead.Bystayinginyourcomfortzoneyouremainincontrolandalerttodanger.

Carry the essentials – they are your survival kit

Makesureyourmobilephoneischargedupandhasplentyofcredit.KeepvaluablesonyouorcloseathandIfyouareunsurewhereyouaregoing,takeamaporwrittendirectionsConsidercarryingapersonalalarmandknowhowtouseit.

Incaseyourbag,walletorphonegetstolenorlosthavean‘emergencypocket’containingwhatyouneedtogetyouhome,forexample:

importantphonenumberswrittendownbusortrainticketskeyssomecoinsoraphonecardtotelephoneforassistance.

Plan your journey

Knowwhereyouaregoingandhowlongitwilltaketogetthereandbackagain.Usereliabletransport;ifyouareusingyourowncar,makesureitisfuelledup,checkedandsafetouse.Ifusingbuses,tramsortrains,checkoutthetravelanddeparturetimes.

Leavetravelandcontactdetailswithafriend,colleagueorlovedone;thatway,ifsomethinggoeswrongpeopleknowwheretofindyou.

Reduce your ‘victim profile’

Yourvictimprofileishowvulnerableyoulooktoacriminalandwhatrewardsmightbegainedbyrobbingyou!Takingafewsimplestepsto

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reduceyourprofileincreasesyourchancesofstayingsafe.OnlytakewhatyoureallyneedAvoidlookinglost;ifyouare,walkconfidentlytowardsalocalshop,streetvendorortelephoneboxtoaskdirectionsorgetyourbearingsAfterdarkkeeptowell-litplaceswithlotsofpeopleIfyouthinkyouarebeingfollowed,findashop,caféorpubandcallthepoliceKeepvaluableshiddenfromviewAvoideyecontactandtalkingtostrangersonthestreet.

Ifsomeonegrabsyourbag,walletormobilephone,donotputupastruggle;yoursafetyisworthfarmorethanafewpossessions.

Meeting the public

Meetingpeopleisbothrewardingandenjoyable;however,difficultsituationscanariseandyouneedtobeonyourguard.Avoidemotivesubjectslikerace,religion,politicsorsensitivelocalissues.Sometimesthemostinnocentofremarkscantriggeranargument;giveangrypeopleplentyofspaceandtimetovocalisetheirissues–theywillquicklyrunoutofsteam.

Ifyoudisagreewithsomeone’sviewsyoumaywishtosayso,butdonotarguebackasitwillmakethingsworse.Rememberyouarelikelytobeaguestsoitmaybewisetoletsomethingsgo.

Trytoarrange‘onetoone’meetingsinpublicplacesasthisreducesthechancesofabuseorfalseallegationsbeingmadeagainstyou.

Body language

Ifyouareconfrontedbyanangryperson,thinkaboutyourbodylanguage.Lookconfident;apersonwholooksconfidentislesslikelytobeattacked.Donotclenchyourfists,foldyourarmsorphysicallyreachouttowardsthem.Alwaysmaintainyourpersonalspace–ithelpstokeepyouclearfromanaggressor’sproddingfingerorworse.

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Community Champions Personal Safety ChecklistA pull out checklist to stick in your diary or work book as a reminder

Your first duty is to yourself – your safety is worth far more than your possessions

Travelessentials

Knowwhereyou’regoingandhowlongitwilltake

Leavesomeoneyourtravelandcontactdetails

Carrytheessentials

Havean‘emergencypocket’

Keepvaluableshiddenfromview

Keeptowell-litplaceswithlotsofpeople

Avoidcontactwithstrangersonthestreet

MeetingthePublic

Arrange‘onetoone’meetingsinpublicplaces

Avoidemotivesubjects

Giveangrypeopleplentyofspace

Donotargueback

Thinkaboutyourbodylanguage

Maintainyourpersonalspace

Ifoffendedorthreatened,youcanleave

Stay in your comfort zone

Report incidents to BTCV

Learn from events


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Your duty to yourself

Everyonehasdifferentlevelsoftoleranceregardinghumanbehaviourandyouhaveadutytoyourselftostayinyourcomfortzone,soifyouareoffendedorthreatened,youmaydecidetogohome;it’syourcall,andBTCVwilldefendallreasonablebehaviour.AlwaysreporttoBTCVanyincidentwhereyouhavefeltthreatenedorunsafe.

Learn from your mistakes

Afterameeting,eventorincident,seewhereyoucanavoidproblemshappeningagain,orthinkaboutrepeatingthethingsthatworkedwell.

�.� Buildingyourskills

Ifyouwanttolearnmoreaboutspecificissuesanddevelopyourworkthere’sarangeoftrainingyoucoulddo.

TheFederationforCommunityDevelopmentLearningispartoftheEACconsortium.Theyrunarangeof‘taster’courses–usuallythree-hoursessionsonspecificenvironmentalissues–aimedatthoseworkingwithcommunitygroups.Seewww.fcdl.org.uk.

Ifyouareinterestedinthelinksbetweenenvironment,povertyandsocialinclusion,CapacityGlobal(alsoinvolvedinEAC)runtrainingsessionson‘environmentaljustice’thatcanhelpyoudevelopthisworkinyourcommunity.Seewww.capacity.org.ukfordetails.CapacityGlobalarealsoresponsibleforEAC’sgoodpracticecasestudiesandwouldbekeentohearfromyouifyouhaveagoodlocalexamplefortheEACwebsite.

TheEnvironmentalTrainersNetworkalsooffersawiderangeofcourses:getfulldetailsofthesecoursesfromwww.btcv.org/training.

Thereareplentyofbooks.Thecasestudiesonwww.everyactioncounts.org.ukwillshowyouwhatworksandhowtocontactthepeoplewhowereinvolved.Youcannotbeattalkingtopeoplewithexperiencetolearnthekeythingstogetrightandhowtoavoidthepitfalls.

Thepartoflearningthatmanypeopleneglectisthequietreflectionon


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whatyouhavedoneandwhatyoucandotochangethepartsofyourperformanceyouthinkyoucoulddobetter.

�.7 Toolkitexplained

Wehaveselectedtheitemsinthetoolkitcarefully,payingparticularattentiontothesourceofthematerials.

ThepenismadefromrecycledcarpartsThepencilismadefromrecycledCDcasesThenotebookisfromrecycledpaperandboardThebadgeisfromrecycledplasticcupsThebagisjuteThepoloshirtismadefromorganiccottonandsourcedfromthefirstUKprintingcompanytobeawardedaccreditationfromtheECO‘EthicalCompanyOrganisation’Thegames,presenterandthishandbookaremadefromrecycledpaper

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�0 Furtherinformationandusefuladdresses

�0.�Overall

Thereareplentyofsourcesofinformationontheindividualissues(seesectionsbelow);foroverallinformationyoushouldlookat:

The EAC website–everyactioncounts.org.uk–istheplacetostartforanyCommunityChampion.

The Government Direct websitenowhasacomprehensivesectioncoveringtheenvironment.Muchofitlinkstootherwebsitessoit’sanothergoodstartingpointwhenlookingforideasandinformation:www.direct.gov.uk/EnvironmentAndGreenerLiving

A Better Place to LiveandChanging where you livearetwoguidestocommunityactionontheenvironmentpublishedbyCDF,anEACmember.MuchofthisChampions’guideisbasedonthefirsteditionofA Better Place to Live;anewversionwillbepublishedlaterin�007.Seewww.cdf.org.ukforpublicationsinformation.

Environments for All – The BTCV Guide for Community Actionwww.btcv.org/handbooks.On-lineversiondetailinglessonslearntfromtheEnvironmentsforAllprogrammesetupbyBTCVtoencourageandsupportpeoplefromallbackgroundstogetinvolvedinpracticalenvironmentalaction.Thebookisausefulmixofadvice,informationandillustrativeexamples.Hardcopyversionalsoavailable,price£�5.��.

�0.�Climatechange,energywasteandefficiency

Centre for Sustainable Energy(CSE).ThisEACmemberworksonsustainableenergysolutionsthatengagepeopleandcommunitiestomeetrealneedsforbothenvironmentallysoundandaffordableenergyservices.Italsoco-ordinatesthefreeadviceandinformationserviceforCommunityActionforEnergy(seebelow).E-mail:[email protected]:0��7��50

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Community Action for Energy(CAfE)isanationalprogrammefromtheEnergySavingsTrusttopromotecommunity-ledaorcommunity-basedsustainableenergyprojectsandtoprovideafreeadviceandinformationservice.Nearly�000individualsandgroupsaresigneduptothefreenetwork.Byjoining,youcankeepuptodatewithlatestcommunityinitiatives,hearaboutfundingopportunities,trainingsessionsandothernewsfromthenetwork.ForfurtherinformationcalltheCAfEhelplineon0870��,e-mailcafé@est.org.ukorcheckoutwww.est.org.uk/café.

Climate Outreach Information Network(COIN)workstoeducateandinformpeopleabouttheimpactsandchallengesofclimatechange,anddemonstratesthepracticalstepsthatpeoplecantaketoreducetheseimpacts.Theycanofferadviceonspeakers,andruncoursesonhowtospeakinpubliconthisissue.E-mail:[email protected]:0�8�57�7��.

Energy Savings Trust(EST)Government-backedinitiativecoveringarangeofenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergyprogrammesaimedatdifferenttargetaudiences.ItsSaveYour�0%advertisingcampaignisaboutcreatingacalltoactiontoencourageusalltoadoptmultipleenergysavingmeasuresinoureverydaylivestohelpcombatclimatechange.www.saveyour�0percent.co.ukTel:08005��5��AnexampleofacarboncalculatorfromEACmemberGlobalActionplancanbefoundatwww.carboncalculator.org.uk.Thisallowsyoutocheckprogressonyourcarbonemissionsafterafewmonthsofcarryingoutactionsdesignedtoreduceyourimpact.OtherexamplesincludeCarbonLifeCO

�LifestyleCalculator(www.bestfootforward.com/

carbonlife.htm),ClimateCare(www.climatecare.org)andtheCentreforAlternativeTechnology’sCarbonGym(www.cat.org.uk).

I Count isthenational‘umbrella’coalitionofgroupscampaigningonclimatechange.Theirwebsitehasalotofusefulinformationandideasforaction:www.icount.org.uk

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�0.�Wasteandrecycling

Community Composting Network (CCN)Promotingandsupportingcommunitymanagementandtheuseofwastebiodegradableresources.Itsmembershipreflectsawidediversityofprojectsfromindividualsorsmallgroupsworkingonallotmentsorpromotinghomecomposting,tosocialenterpriseswithlocalauthoritycontractsprovidingkerbsidecollectionservices.Hasfreeorlow-costinformationmaterialsincludingtheMucking-In Pack,ajointinitiativebetweenCCN,HenryDoubledayResearchAssociation,andtheRoyalSocietyofWildlifeTrusts.www.communitycompost.org

Community Recycling Network(CRN)promotescommunity-basedsustainablewastemanagement.Thewebsitecanhelpyoufindyournearestcommunityrecyclingprojectaswellasgivingguidanceandadvicetogroups.www.crn.org.uk

Community Waste Information Centreisanewwebsitethatlinksyoutoeverythingyouneedtoknowaboutthecommunitywastesector,includingsettingupandrunningprojects,partnershipsandkeyinformationsources.PartnersincludeEACmember,theCommunityRecyclingNetwork.www.communitywaste.org.uk

Freecycleisavoluntaryinternationalmovementthatpromotesthereuseofitemstoreducetheamountgoingtolandfill.Youcanadvertiseorrequestitemsviayourlocalgroup–allyouneedisinternetaccess.Allitemsarefree.Findyoulocalgroupandsignupviawww.freecycle.org.

Furniture Reuse Network(FRN)isthenationalbodysupportingcharitablereuseorganisationsacrosstheUK.Itsworkhelpstoreducepovertybyhelpinghouseholdsinneedtoaccessfurniture,whitegoodsandotherhouseholditemsataffordableprices.Itswebsitecanhelplocatethenearestreusenetworktoyou.www.frn.org.uk

WRAP(WasteandResourcesActionProgramme)worksinpartnership,helpingbusinessesandthegeneralpublictoreducewaste,tousemorerecycledmaterial,andtorecyclethingsmoreoften.The‘RecycleNow’campaign(www.recyclenow.com)isinvaluableforanyonecommunicatingthe‘reduce,reuse,recycle’messageorneeding

10 Further information and useful addresses

8�


informationonrecycling,compostingandbuyingrecycledgoods.WRAPHelpline:0808�00�0�0www.wrap.org.ukandrecyclenow.com

Waste Watch–On-linelibrarycontainingawealthofdownloadableinformationsheetsforcommunitygroupsonwastereduction,reuseandrecycling.www.wasteonline.org.uk

�0.�Careforwhereyoulive

ACRE (ActionwithCommunitiesinRuralEngland),anEACmember,promotestheinterestsofruralcommunities.ItrunstheNationalVillageHallInformationServiceandprovidesadviceonparishmaps.Ithasfreedownloadableinformationandbriefings,butsomematerialisavailabletomembersonly.www.acre.org.uk

BTCVistheUK’sleadingenvironmentalvolunteeringcharityandisresponsibleforco-ordinatingtheCommunityChampionsprogrammeforEAC.ThroughitsCommunityNetwork,BTCVsupportsseveralthousandlocalgroups,providingaccesstodiscounts,insurance,fundinginformation,trainingopportunitiesandadvice.BTCValsorunsmanylocalvolunteeringeventsandactivitiesopentothepublic,includingConservationHolidaysandtheBTCVGreenGym“,whichusesenvironmentalvolunteeringasawayofhelpingpeoplefeelbetterandfitter.www.btcv.orgTel:0��0��8888�E-mail:[email protected]

BTCV People’s Places Award SchemeAlthoughtheawardschemeisnowclosed,thiswebsiteremainsliveasaninspirationandresourcetoothercommunitygroupswantingtomakeadifferencewithintheirlocalcommunity.www.btcv.org/ppawards

Community Planning.Net,co-ordinatedbytheRoyalTownPlanningInstitute,isanessentialstartingpointformembersofthepublicwantingtogetinvolvedinshapingtheirlocalenvironment.Itexplainstheprinciplesofcommunityplanning(howthesystemworks),detailsgoodpractice(howtoparticipate)andprovidescasestudiesandlinks.communityplanning.net

ENCAMS Guide to Improving Your Local Environmentexplainslocalenvironmentalqualityoflifeissuesincludinglitter,dog-fouling,

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graffitiandneighbourhoodnoise,anddetailswhoisresponsibleforwhat.ItcontainsinformationaboutnewpowersavailableundertheCleanNeighbourhoodsandEnvironmentAct�005.www.encams.org/uploads/publications/mp_pack_�00�.pdf.Tel:0��

Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens(FCFCG)supports,advisesandrepresentscommunity-managedfarmandgardenprojectsinurbanareas.Itisamembershiporganisation.Mostmaterialisavailableinhardcopyformatonly.ItsCommunity Garden Starter Packcoversthecomplexissuesthatcanarisewhensettingupordevelopingacommunitygarden.Revised�005,£�.00.TheyalsoofferaCity Farm Starter Pack(£�.00)andapack(aimedatschoolsandyoungerpeople)onhowtodevelopanduseacompostbox(£7.50)Tel:0��7��800www.farmgarden.org.uk

GreenSpacepromotestheregenerationofparksandpublicspaces.TheirCommunityNetworkisthefirstfreesupportnetworkforcommunitygroupsandfriendsofgroupswhoworkwithinparksandgreenspacesacrossthewholeoftheUK.Thereareover��00members.Resourcesavailableincludepublications,downloadable‘howto’factsheets,nationalregisterofgroupsandaCommunityNetworknewsletter.Notethatfundingisnotavailable.E-mail:[email protected]@green-space.org.ukTel:0��8��0�0www.green-space.org.uk

Groundworkisanationalnetworkoflocally-basedtruststhatrunprogrammesintheirarea.Checkwww.groundwork.org.uktoseeifthereisoneinyourarea.

The Groundwork Arts Toolkit isanArtsCouncilsponsoredresourcedesignedtoprovideinspiration,ideasandpracticalassistancetoGroundworkstaff(butapplicabletoothers)seekingtousetheartswithinregenerationprojects,andtoartistswhowanttolearnmoreabouthowGroundworkengageswiththearts.www.artandregeneration.com


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�0.5 Transportandaccess

SustransistheUK’sleadingsustainabletransportcharityworkingonpracticalprojectsallowingpeoplemorechoiceinwaystotravelthatbenefittheirhealthandtheenvironment.ForcommunitygroupsthereisaLiveableNeighbourhoodsnewsletter,on-linemapsoftheNationalCycleNetwork,nowover�0,000miles,andavoluntaryRangersscheme.ItsSafeRoutestoSchoolprogrammeincludesatoolkitonhowtosetupandrunascheme.www.sustrans.org.ukandwww.saferoutestoschools.org.uk

Living StreetsispromotingitsLivingStreetsmanifestoaspartofanationwidecampaigntowinbackstreetsforall,notjustcars.Informationavailableincludesa‘ChecktheLiveabilityratingsofyourstreet’survey.ThereisaseparateresourceforthoseinterestedinHomeZones.www.livingstreets.org.ukandwww.homezones.org

Transport 2000 co-ordinatesthe‘StreetsforPeople’networkthatsupportscommunitygroupsandresidentslookingtocreatetraffic-freeneighbourhoodsaswellastrafficreductioninitiativesforsaferandhealthierstreets.www.transport�000.org.uk/communityaction/communityaction.asp

�0.� Shoppingethically

Ethical Consumerpublishesasubscriptionmagazine(availablehardcopyandon-line)andresourcestochampionfairtradeandethicalliving.www.ethicalconsumer.organdethicscore.org

Fairtrade FoundationisresponsibleforawardingtheFairtrademarktoproductsintheUK,producespromotionalmaterialsforlocalgroups,andco-ordinatestheannualFairtradeFortnight.www.fairtrade.org.uk

GreenChoicesisaboutthechoiceswemakeinoureverydaylivestoprotecttheenvironment.Thewebsiteisanexampleofaresourcethataimstoempowerindividualsandgroupswithsimple,directinformationongreenalternativesthatmakeadifference.www.greenchoices.org

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Local Food Works–Thiswebsiteisaninformativeelectronicresourcecontainingacomprehensivecompendiumofresources(cross-referenced),localschemes,casestudies,ideasandsignpostingtootherinformationsources.ThisisapartnershipbetweentheSoilAssociationandtheCountrysideAgency.www.localfoodworks.org

�0.7Keepingintouch

There’salotofworkbeingdoneontheseissuesandit’sworthkeepingintouchwithnewdevelopments.Thereareplentyofelectronicnewslettersandinformationlists,andtherearemanylocalorregionallists.OneusefulnationaloneistheUKLocalSustainabilityList,whichlinksaround750peopleworkinglocally:tojointhis,[email protected]

NationalnewswebsitessuchastheBBCandtheGuardianhaverapidnewsandinformationsystems.Inmanycasesyoucansignuptogetupdatesonyourselectedissues.

Don’tforgeteveryactioncounts@btcv.org.uktoletusknowhowyouaregettingon.


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PhgotographyacknowledgementsAllpicturesbyRobBowkerexcept:Pages�0and��whichweresuppliedbythecommunities:Page��Mosquito©UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture:Page��Windturbine©Ecotricity:Page��Mountainbike©TrekBicycleCorporation:Page��WalkingBusposter©NorthEastLincolnshireCouncil:Page�5Vegetablebox©GrahamBurns:Page5�BTCVGreenGyminStockport©DavidMansell:Page��BuzzAldrin©N.Armstrong/NASA:Page8�UsingITresources©GrahamBurns.ManythanksalsotoRobinBowenBowkerforallhishelp.

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