Community Futures Programme 2015-16

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Really Useful Gardens
22-23 June 2015
Trainers: Jo Dyer and Karen Atkinson
You don’t have to make a choice between your
garden being beautiful or being useful – it can
be both! During this two-day course, we will
look at plants which are both beautiful and
edible, plants and materials which can be used
to make food and homes for the wildlife that
visits your garden, and plants which can be
used to make low-cost and effective food for
other plants.
You will learn how to use plants from the
garden to make some simple home remedies
to aid health and well-being, and how to make
gifts and flower displays for the home. Course
participants will also be given advice on how to
incorporate the plants we have looked at into
their own growing spaces - turning them into
Really Useful Gardens.
Community Mapping
Dates and trainer TBC
For a long time, local government and other
organisations have taken a negative approach
to community development and regeneration;
meaning they have always started by looking
at the problems. Over the years much
attention has been given to the deficits of our
neighbourhoods; such as maps to reflect crime,
unemployment and poor health outcomes.
Authorities and groups are always quick to ask
the question “what is wrong with this area?”
and slow to ask “what is right?” or “what do you
value about this area?”
When this is the perception, it can be very
damaging to the self-esteem and resilience
of communities, to know that they are only
regarded in negative terms. But we all know
communities are not made up of problems,
they are made up of people and every person
has the potential to become an asset to their
neighbourhood. Community Mapping seeks
to rebalance our view by properly cataloging
everything that is of value, it’s just bad
bookkeeping to ignore the assets and only ever
count the negatives. Also, through the assets we
may find ways of addressing the issues of an area.
The course will give community groups the tools
and skills to research and create community
maps that take into account the physical and
social assets within your community.
Lobbying
Dates and trainer TBC
Being able to campaign and lobby effectively
is the most important aspect of challenging
perceptions and championing your project.
This course will look at the tools needed to
develop successful campaigns to lobby at a
local and national level.
A variety of communication methods will be
discussed and explained to create, support and
strengthen the work you do in your community.
• Are you passionate about what your group
does?
• Are you frustrated when others don’t see the
value or show interest in what your group does?
Then this course is the one for you!
Bringing Your Green Space Alive
Dates and trainer TBC
There are patches of land in many communities
that are being unused and can potentially
become an eyesore, these spaces can
be transformed into a real asset for your
community which everyone can get involved
with and enjoy.
Maybe you want to clean up a green space
and bring it back to its former glory, use it as
a communal garden, a space to attract wildlife
or an area for games and activities. This course
will look at a variety of different options for
bringing your green space alive and give you
ideas on how to involve the whole community.
You will leave with an action plan to help get
you started.
Cost to volunteers
working with local
community groups
£50 for first participant;
£20 for each additional
participant from same
group on same course.
To apply for a place on a
course please contact
The Training Team on
01244 300246 or
Cost includes single en-suite
accommodation for the duration
of the course, all meals and
refreshments.
Groups may apply for a small
grant to help take things forward,
after attending on a course.
This programme is available in large print or Braille on request.