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News from members January

Zero waste initiative receives support thanks to successful training courses

Green Communities members, the Zero Waste Initiative (ZWIN), which is part of the Richmond Environment Network, has been very active over the last year developing their volunteers’ skills, and has just run their second successful Green Communities training course.

ZWIN originally evolved out of the Richmond-upon-Thames’ Local Agenda 21 action plan for a sustainable future, and has been up and running as a practical project since 1999. The initiative aims to help charitable organisations and schools in the borough of Richmond to develop sound environmental policies in order to reduce energy and water consumption, encourage recycling and the efficient use of resources, and reduce waste production. This is achieved through free environmental assessments, which are carried out on-site by trained volunteers.

Green Communities has been working with one of ZWIN’s managers, to train their newly recruited volunteers in project development and energy auditing of community buildings. To find out more about ZWIN and their energy work, visit their website: www.richenvironmentnet.org.uk

Salford Development Trust at the heart of the community

Recently Green Communities met with Joyce Fitzpatrick, Resident Participation Officer from the Seedley & Langworthy Trust, and we got so excited about the work they’re doing we wanted to share it with you all…

The Seedley & Langworthy Trust is a development trust which has been working in the Salford area for more than a decade. They are a resident led anchor organisation which was set up by community activists in order to develop effective links between the people who live and work in the area, along with various partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Their aim is to ensure that local people are at the heart of the decision-making processes which help to shape the future priorities of the area.

Their small team manages a busy resource shop in the heart of the community, and the centre handles more than 8,000 enquiries annually. It is the first port of call for residents to address local issues. As a team, the trust have accessed funding to develop their resources to offer additional services such as advice, job club, volunteering opportunities, training programmes and also advocacy services.

To find out more about the Seedley & Langworthy Trust and the work that Joyce and her colleagues do, visit their website: www.seedleytrust.co.uk