Sustainable Communities and Zero Carbon

Reducing carbon and living sustainably is a 21^st 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

“ Opens doors”

Mike Barnes

Newlands Lane Allotments
“ Good to know of the invaluable work you do across Cumbria”

Martha Shields

Martha Shields Design & Development
“ communication, programme and speakers”

Holly Ho

Alston Moor Parish Council
“ The wealth of knowledge and understanding of communities”

Emma Bundock

Allerdale Borough Council
“ Great to know you exist and support local issues and communities”

Jean McGrady

St Cuthberts Church
“ Work with communities, encouraging participation and empowering people”

Diane Ward

Copeland Borough Council
“ they give communities a voice, and opportunities to discuss issues that are affecting their lives”

Paula Allen

Lake District National Park Authority
“ I think the community sector is under acknowledged and you have your eye on the ball.”

Andrea Aldridge

Manna House
“ It is good to know that this organisation exists”

Pauline Boardman

St. Cuthberts Church
“ It helps keep me in touch with broader rural opportunities”

John Farmer

Longsleddale Parish

Relevant Resources

Guidance Sheets

Community Needs Assessment
Find out what your community needs
Community Led Planning and Your Sustainable Community
Community Transport: Reducing Carbon and Cost
Options to reduce carbon and costs associated with community transport and travel.
Community Transport
How can communities organise their own transport solutions and where to go for support.

Research & Other Publications

Household Emergency Planning leaflet (view on screen) 2020
Household Emergency Planning leaflet (to print A4) 2020
Lake District Communities and World Heritage Site Designation Report 2019
Summary of research , events and questionnaire of residents views about the WHS status
Supporting Change in the Development of Community Resilience in Cumbria 2012-2017
The State of Rural Cumbria - Fuel Poverty update 2014
The State of Rural Cumbria 2013
Summary of challenges and opportunities from research using the Parish profiles post the 2011 Census.
The Rural Share of Deprivation in Cumbria - Executive Summary 2010
The Rural Challenge in Cumbria 2010
A report on rural deprivation across Cumbria
Tebay & Orton Local Distinctiveness Project 2013
The Project summary and then suite of resources produced as Part of the Tebay and Orton Project
Tebay walking leaflet 2013
Tebay cycling leaflet 2013
Orton walking leaflet 2013
Orton cycling leaflet 2013
Community Climate Change Adaptation 2013
Executive Summary followed by a suite of resources
Community Climate Change Adaptation 2013
Responding to the 2009 Floods, a model and exploration of potential actions for a community
Adapting to climate change in Ullswater (Web) 2013
Adapting to climate change in Ullswater (Print) 2013
Adapating to climate change in Ullswater 2013
Planning for your Community's Future in Cumbria 2013
A joint guide with CALC and the LDNPP on Neighbourhood Planning
Big Society Vanguard Final Report. 2011
You can only be ill on Wednesday - NHS Project Report 2010
Migrant Workers Research Quality of Life 2007
Working with AWAZ to explore the challenges and opportunities for migrant workers in Cumbria
Migrant Workers Research Mapping 2007
Migrant Workers Research Calls to Action 2008
A Loss For Everyone 2007
Exploring the loss of services in Cumbria's rural communities and actions to redress this at local and strategic level

Toolkits & Workbooks

Guide To Funders 2023
Funders guide for village halls and other community groups. Lists many funders supporting community projects in Cumbria.
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

St Anne's Church, Ings
Successful Air Source Heat Pump retrofit.
Greening Staveley
Taking action on climate change one parish at a time.
Lamplugh Village Hall – Innovative approaches to raising funds for renovation work
Improvements and income earning ideas to help fund the refurbishment of the Village Hall.
Culterham Village Hall – Celebration to thank Funders
Special thank you event for the funders of our village renovation project.
Kirkandrews Community Fibre partnership
Parish Council led Community Fibre Partnership to build a customised fibre solution, bringing broadband to homes and businesses.
Sockbridge and Tirril Community Led Plan
Process of a Plan developed by community members.
Skelwith and Langdale Community Land Trust
Community run partnership project building new housing for locals.
Endmoor + District First Responders
Volunteers who live and work in the local community - trained and activated by North West Ambulance Service to attend emergency calls.
Ambleside Fareshare Lunches
Reuse of waste food to offer free lunches to people in need.
Kirkby Stephen Good Neighbours Scheme
Supporting people in Kirkby Stephen and the surrounding area.
Dent Bad Weather Friends
Volunteer residents’ scheme for checking on vulnerable neighbours in their locality in extreme weather.
Fellrunner Village Bus Service
Community bus service to meet the needs of communities isolated by lack of transport.
Coniston Carers
Not for profit social care organisation for people in Coniston and the surrounding area.
Lamplugh Village Hall Installing Wireless Broadband
Installing a line, to create a wireless broadband link (Wi-Fi) in the Hall.
Seaton Village Hall Healthy Activities in the Hall
Fit 4 Life weekly Healthy Living Courses.
Northern Fells Group Lend-a-Hand Scheme
Handyman Scheme offering gardening, domestic and personal help.
Walton Village Hall Banking & Postal Services
Provision of banking and post office services and a hub for local residents.
Keswick Community Housing Trust
Affordable housing scheme of Eleven three-bedroom properties.
Bootle Community Energy
Creation of a Community Interest Company.
Brough Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)
Working with young peoples to meet needs through recreation and sports facilities.
Western Dales Bus Community run bus service
Volunteer established Western Dales Bus (WDB) service.
Nicholforest Exchange
Community Exchange that runs every month at the Nicholforest Village Hall.
Northern Fells Group Energy Switch Support
Information and Services Days, organised to including switching energy suppliers and energy efficiency.
Tebay & Orton Community Heritage Project
Drop-in events to shape the Tebay & Orton Distinctiveness Project.
Tebay & Orton Tourism Group
Production of information they could use to provide a focus for visitors and to encourage new visitors to the area.
Bolton Memorial Hall Energy Generation
Installation of solar PV (Photo Voltaic) panels to generate electricity.
Revitalising Retail Programme in Eden
Programme to support retailers in rural Eden.
Garrigill Village Hall Camping Barn
Refurbishment and upgrading of Garrigill Village Hall.
Northern Fells Oil Buying Syndicates
Set-up of a local oil buying syndicates scheme.
Lakes Parish Council Managing Public Toilets
Parish Council run public toilets Ambleside and Chapel Stile.
Lamplugh Village Hall VAT on 'Green' Alterations
Lamplugh Village Hall improvements.
Gamblesby Village Hall Renewable Energy Project
Renewable Energy Village Hall Project involving a ground source heat pump, a wind turbine, and exceptional levels of insulation.
Holmrook Reading Room Biodiversity Project
Biodiversity Project involving the creation of a diverse selection of habitats.
Wetheral Village Halls
Parish council appointed part-time Village Hall Development Officer to work with all seven village halls.
Community Broadband
Community Led Plan for the parish groupings in Upper Eden, Heart of Eden and Lyvennet Valley focusing on rural broadband.
Community Renewable Energy
Community Led Plan for the parish groupings in Upper Eden, Heart of Eden and Lyvennet Valley focusing on renewable energy.

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.