Development Trusts Association
Development Trusts aim to bring about social, economic and environmental renewal through community enterprise. Development Trusts are helping to create some of the most enterprising communities in the UK, where a can-do culture is driving local change. A Development Trust can act as an intermediary between local people and the local authority, voicing the concerns of the community and helping to find solutions to improve the area. The Development Trusts Association can direct you to a Trust in your area.
Tel: 0845 458 8336 www.dta.org.uk
Groundwork UK
Groundwork is a leading environmental regeneration charity which provides opportunities for people to learn new skills and take local action to create better, safer and healthier neighbourhoods. There are nearly 50 local Groundwork Trusts, which regularly involve volunteers before they are ready to move into full-time paid employment. Contact your local Trust to find out if there are opportunities near you.
Tel: 0121 236 8565 www.groundwork.org.uk
National Federation of Cemetery Friends
The National Federation of Cemetery links over fifty groups of volunteers dedicated to preserving their local cemeteries. Where appropriate the cemetery friends undertake practical work in the cemetery, develop the recreational and educational aspects with tours, publications and open days, as well as conserving the wildlife areas. In Sheffield there are two such groups already, one for the General Cemetery , S11, and one for Wardsend Cemetery , S6.
Tel: GENERAL CEMETERY : 0114 2683486 fogc@horton5.freeserve.co.uk Tel: WARDSEND CEMETERY : 0114 281 2167 trust@hcdt.freeserve.co.uk www.cemeteryfriends.fsnet.co.uk
Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens
Fancy meeting some urban sheep or teaching children about where their food comes from? Visit a City Farm! The Federation of City Farms can provide details of City Farms and Community Gardens across the country. Why not visit with some friends or neighbours for some inspiration before creating your own urban sanctuary? Tel: 0117 923 1800 www.farmgarden.org.uk
Greenspace Learning Network
An online resource managed by the Countryside Agency for people managing green spaces close to homes.
http://greenspace.net.countryside.gov.uk
Black Environment Network
BEN works to enable full ethnic participation in the built and natural environment. Reaching out to ethnic communities in order to stimulate participation and working to support mainstream organisations so that they may gain the necessary awareness and skills to work effectively with ethnic communities.
Tel: 01286 870715 www.ben-network.org.uk
Citizens Connection
Thought of a way to improve your area? Have you got a project that needs help to make it happen? Find the information and advice on every step you need to take to get your initiative going and to make it succeed whether it's a small project, a campaign, a charity or a responsible business. www.citizensconnection.net
Community Action Network
Fancy yourself as a social entrepreneur? Social entrepreneurs are the equivalent of true business entrepreneurs but they operate in the not-for-profit sector building 'something from nothing' and seeking innovative solutions to social problems, including environmental improvement. CAN members learn from each other and enjoy a wide range of services and benefits provided through CAN's London headquarters and its UK wide network of Regional Directors. Tel: 0845 456 2537 www.can-online.org.uk
Community Development Foundation
The Community Development Foundation helps communities achieve greater control over the conditions and decisions affecting their lives by supporting community work of all kinds. They do this through networks, links with experts, working with other organisations and management of local projects. Tel: 020 7226 5375 www.cdf.org.uk
Community Matters
Community Matters is the nationwide federation for community groups. They promote and support action by ordinary people in response to social, educational and recreational needs in their neighbourhoods and communities. CM publishes factsheets on everything from Organising a Carnival to Equal Opportunities, and their Consultancy service can give more in depth advice. A free Telephone Advice Line can answer relatively short queries on 08707 272 373 from Monday - Friday 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.Helpline 08707 272 373 www.communitymatters.org.uk
Home Zones
Home Zones are an attempt to strike a balance between vehicular traffic and everyone else who uses the street, the pedestrians, cyclists, business people and residents. This site offers advice on setting up a Home Zone from legal matters to appointing consultants. www.homezones.org
Living Streets
Living Streets are the champions of streets and public spaces for people on foot. They work on practical projects to create safe, vibrant and healthy streets for all. Communities can also identify the priorities they would like for their local streets and put their case to the local council, using Living Streets' community street audit system. www.livingstreets.org.uk
Millennium Volunteers
Ever wanted to build on what your into? If you're 16-24 some Millennium Volunteers schemes can help you to set up your own project. MV encourages youth-led projects; if you've got a good idea that would be of benefit to your community, find your local project online and get in touch to discuss your ideas - they may be able to support you. www.millenniumvolunteers.gov.uk
The Sensory Trust
The Sensory Trust promotes and implements environmental design and management to ensure opportunities for access, learning and involvement are available to everyone. It provides information, offers advice, influences policy, assists professionals, showcases good practice, organises user testing by disabled people, provides training/education and develops projects. www.sensorytrust.org.uk
National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service
What is a CVS? A Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) is a voluntary organisation which is set up, owned and run by local groups to support, promote and develop local voluntary and community action. CVS support their members by providing them with a range of services and by acting as a voice for the local voluntary and community sector. Find details if your local
CVS on the NACVS website.
Tel: 0114 278 6636 http://www.nacvs.org.uk/
National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners
This Society aims to help all enjoy gardening and so promote their health, education and community fellowship. They support the formation of gardening associations, and advise gardeners on a range of issues from the closure of allotments to bonfires and water supplies. Tel: 01536 266576 www.nsalg.demon.co.uk
Open Spaces Society
The Open Spaces Society protects common land and public rights of way. If you know of a blocked public path or encroachment on common land, or you want to register a 'new' green, they can help you. Their publication, Making Space (£5) advises on protecting and creating open space for local communities.
Tel: 01491 573535 www.oss.org.uk
Trees for Cities
Trees for Cities is an independent charity supporting city-wide tree planting and greening initiatives in urban areas of greatest need; their aim is to stimulate a greening renaissance in cities around the world.
Tel: 020 7587 1320 www.treesforcities.org
Common Ground
Common Ground is a charity that encourages people to stand up for their place. Common Ground pioneers imaginative ways of ‘reweaving' the local world. They aim to inspire people to join in exploration of the richness in everyday places, popular culture, common wild life, ordinary buildings and landscapes and to go on to become actively involved in their care. Tel: 01747 850820 www.commonground.org.uk
VolResource
VolResource aims to make it quick and easy to get to useful information on anything to do with running a voluntary organisation (whether a community group, charity or other non-profit body). www.volresource.org.uk
Useful publications
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