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Sustainable Communities and Zero Carbon

Reducing carbon and living sustainably is a 21st Century challenge.

Much of the work ACT assists communities with aims to help communities to be sustainable in the longer term.

Our Community Planning, Community Buildings, Community Led Housing and Transport support are key tools in developing and maintaining community sustainability.

We work with Cumbria Action for Sustainability to promote projects for community sustainability.

We promote discussion and help facilitate solutions for zero carbon communities, while being alive to the challenges and opportunities for rural communities.

What people say about ACT

  • Funding for hall improvements. Involve you in the village

    Jane Launchberry

    Appleby Transport Group

  • The wealth of knowledge and understanding of communities

    Emma Bundock

    Allerdale Borough Council

  • Interaction. Information sharing

    Michael McVeigh

    Copeland Borough Council

  • Really supportive and active in advice and practical guidance to support volunteers.

    Jon Rush

    Stainton Village Hall

  • It is good to know that this organisation exists

    Pauline Boardman

    St. Cuthberts Church

  • It is a source of information about issues in Cumbria and nationally

    E.D. Faulkner

    Bootle Parish Council

  • They give advice on helping us get feedback about surveys

    Victoria Markendale

    Kirksanton Village Hall

  • ACT gives free information and resources

    Keith Rhodes

    Gosforth Public Hall

  • Supporting communities across Cumbria, especially in rural areas

    Ellen Clements

    Cumbria Community Foundation

  • It is informative

    Patricia Thirlby

    Skelwith & District Community Centre

Relevant Resources

Guidance Sheets

Research & Other Publications

Toolkits & Workbooks

  • Guide To Funders 2025-2026

    Funders guide for village halls and other community groups. Lists many funders supporting community projects in Cumbria.

  • Toolkit for Community Action on Water Quality (Please use link in text below!)

    This web-based Toolkit brings together information, signposting and suggestions, building on grassroots work to improve water quality in Windermere. Much of it has wider application, but it is focused on the Windermere and Leven Catchment area. It's for you if you are interested in taking local action to improve water quality, from getting involved in taking water samples for testing, to setting up a local volunteer monitoring group, to letter writing and campaigning, on your own or with others. The Toolkit has been funded in part by the Environment Agency, who wanted to share resources from the Rethinking Water Citizens Panel, and partly by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, who support activities that strengthen community voice.

  • ACT Community Exchanges Toolkit

    Community Exchanges are regular community-led events that bring people together, provide services and information and reduce social isolation. This toolkit brings together a series of guidance sheets and video interviews from Crosthwaite Exchange, 'The Vic' Community Cafe in Culgaith, and Bolton Exchange, to support other communities looking to start their own Exchange or Community Cafe.

  • Questionnaire Design Guide

    Being able to put together a survey which is easy to understand, and will give you the information you need, is a useful skill for any community group, particularly those doing Community Led Plans. This guide provides an introduction to writing questionnaires, the types of questions to avoid, how to ensure your survey is accessible to all, and how to analyse the results.

  • Sustainable Communities Workbook

    A discussion tool to help assess your community's sustainability and plan for the future.

  • Community Oil Buying Groups Toolkit

    Many communities in Cumbria are dependent on oil to heat their homes and by setting up a community oil buying group residents can save money on their bills. This toolkit explains what a community oil buying group is, how to set one up and what you need to consider as well as tips and ideas on how to run and manage your group when it is established.

Case Studies

Videos

Tebay & Orton Tourism Group Feb 2013

Community Project involving training, events and local cultural/environmental heritage promotion.

Tebay & Orton Community Heritage Project Feb 2013

Community Project involving training, events and local cultural / environmental heritage promotion.

Crosthwaite Exchange Nov 2010

Lamplugh VH Film Nights Sept 2010

Bolton Exchange June 2010