We also look ahead to two upcoming sessions: a workshop on Friendly Connected Communities at the Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville on 12 November and an interactive tree-planting workshop at County Hall on 5 December. 
 
There is also a wealth of information about exciting community schemes in this edition of the newsletter, from how to become an Environment Action Volunteer (EAV) in the county and how you can support our Sea Cadets in Loughborough. 
 
You can also read about the Future Farming Resilience Fund, an exciting capital grants scheme in Harborough, the Accelerating Reform Fund for carers and how to take advantage of free bus fares in Leicestershire on Saturdays. 
 
Finally, we would love to share your stories in this newsletter and are always looking for contributions from you, our Network Members. If you have something that you would like to see or share in our February edition (deadline 1 February), please get in touch by emailing us at LeicestershireCommunities@leics.gov.uk with any ideas for our next or future editions.   

If you have been forwarded this newsletter or are not currently a Communities Network Member, please do sign up and you will receive future newsletters, information and details of events directly into your inbox.   

Warm Wishes,  

Pam Posnett 

 Communities Network

The Communities Network is a platform for Leicestershire communities to connect with each other about initiatives, projects, and activities which demonstrate local positive community action. Leicestershire communities are varied, with unique local assets and a wealth of skills and experience to share. This newsletter and our dedicated website which features local events and initiatives is designed to support this.   

Our Communities Network offer currently includes Community Roadshows, Community Conversations and online Zoom sessions.  

Community Roadshows are an opportunity for local businesses, charities, and groups to come together in person and find out more about what groups and activities are available locally. The roadshows are a platform for sharing and utilising skills, knowledge, expertise and assets amongst existing groups and the community.  

Community Conversations are a tool to help inspire and support communities. They are short, interview style conversations relating to discussions with the community about a particular topic that they are passionate about.  

Communities Network sessions are short online sessions aimed at providing information, support and advice to communities across Leicestershire on relevant themes and topics.

 Planting 700,000 trees in Leicestershire

On 12 September, the Communities Network hosted a session on the initiative to plant 700,000 trees in Leicestershire. 

We heard from Herbert Daybell from the Communities Network Foundation, whose organisation has created and established a community orchard and adopted the Bottesford Tree Charter.  
 
We also heard from Lucy Hoelmer, who shared information about the Midlands Forest Network, a Heritage Lottery-funded initiative to create a network of organisations and communities. The Network aims to join up woodland habitats across the Midlands, exchange good practice and secure proposals for investors. 

Sam Village from the Tree Council introduced the National Tree Warden Scheme, which aims to engage the public and local communities. The session covered the importance of tree planting, the National Tree Warden scheme, and various tree planting initiatives. 

Finally, Adam Goodall from Leicestershire County Council discussed the Council's tree strategy and efforts to enhance tree cover in the county. Initiatives include a tree charter, free tree and hedge schemes, and partnerships with the Woodland Trust and other organisations. For more information about some of the free tree and hedge packs, as well as woodland planting programmes, follow this link. 
 
It was a fascinating session which left all attendees inspired to help achieve this mission. 

Upcoming sessions

We have two upcoming in person Communities Network sessions: 
 
12 November – Friendly Connected Communities – learn about how Paul Fagan and the Marlene Reid Centre have helped to implement a Friendly Connected Communities approach to improve their work. A great opportunity to network, learn new skills, ideas and improve your community work.  
 
Location: Marlene Reid Centre, 85 Belvoir Road, LE67 3PH, Coalville 
Time: 6 - 8.30pm (drinks, cakes and networking from 5.30pm) 
 
Sign-up here 
 
5 December – Tree-Planting session - as National Tree Week takes place, learn about various tree-planting initiatives, such as our Tree Warden programme, before getting stuck in with some tree-planting outside County Hall. The session will be led by Adam Goodall of Leicestershire County Council. 
 
Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA 
Time: 10am-12pm 
 
Sign-up here

 'Conversations with' vlogs

Want to learn more about our Leicestershire Communities? 

Make sure to check out our Conversations with vlogs, a series of discussions about the great community and voluntary work going on in the county, hosted by Communities Team member Juan Pardo.

Recent videos include a discussion with Mel Charnock and Natalie Smith of Gather Create Grow, a community interest company (CIC) who help to run a series of community sessions and the ever-growing and popular Cosby Yarn Bomb.

In the video, they explore how they developed their organisation from the seed of an idea into an effective, asset-based organisation, as well as how they made the transition from volunteering to establishing a CIC.

To see our full playlist of vlogs, follow the link below:

 Environment Action Volunteers

Are you a Leicestershire resident aged 18+ interested in helping the environment and raising awareness in your community? 

We are looking for Environment Action Volunteers (EAVs) to support our work in Leicestershire to reduce waste, carbon emissions and conserve nature. 
 
We will be hosting training sessions very soon, where you will be equipped with the training you need to be a volunteer. 

Read this blog to find out more about the work of Lynsey, an Environment Action Volunteer 

Sign-up to be an EAV here

Loughborough Sea Cadets

Thinking about a new challenge?   Want to help young people to thrive? 
 
Loughborough Sea Cadets are seeking new adult volunteers to support their operations. 
 
They are primarily seeking roles as instructors (the main teaching and training staff of the cadets) and unit management team (governance and strategy officers). 
 
You can play a key part in training the next generation of sea cadets and equipping young people with invaluable skills. 

 Future Farming Resilience Fund – Business Support

Would your business be interested in accessing free business support, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF)? 
 
DJM Consulting (DJMC) are delivering up to 2 days of free business advice, per farmer, in the form of 1 to 1 strategic on farm meetings. 

FFRF is designed to provide free business support to farmers and land managers during the ongoing period of change to direct payments, including:  

• understand the changes that are happening i.e. removal of BPS 

• identify how, what and when they may need to adapt their business 

• access tailored support/advice to adapt 

Harborough Capital Grants Scheme

Harborough District Council have created a capital grants scheme for rural organisations to help promote rural arts, creative, cultural and heritage activities.   
 
The grants are aimed especially at parish groups and local interest societies, such as local history groups, creative groups, heritage preservation volunteers, community libraries and local art groups.   
Think you might be eligible?

 Accelerating Reform Fund

Are you or someone you know a carer aged 18+? 
 
Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council and the NHS are looking for carers to share their experiences as part of the Accelerating Reform Fund projects. 
 
Participate, get involved and share your voice.

Free Fares Super Saturdays

People across Leicestershire can take advantage of free bus travel on Saturdays this autumn. The free fare scheme is open to everyone and will consist of 7 Saturdays, from October 19 to November 30 (included).  

Passengers should tell the driver where they are going, and if they are travelling to or from Leicestershire they can hop on board for free! 

The scheme is being delivered on behalf of Leicestershire Buses to support the Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan ambitions.  

As the winter months and holiday season approaches, free Saturday bus travel will help people save money, encourage connectivity, and support combating loneliness and isolation. For more information on the scheme, and the full list of participating operators head to the Leicestershire Buses Ticketing Schemes Page. 

 Get involved and help shape future newsletters 

We would really like to hear from you and want to use this newsletter to showcase your good news stories and other local news. If you would like to share events information, success stories, information about your organisation or other content, please get in touch with us via email at LeicestersireCommunities@leics.gov.uk

Newsletter deadlines for providing content are as follows:  

• February - 1 February 2024

 Become a Network Member 

Would you like to connect with like-minded people? If so, why not join the Communities Network by filling in a short Communities Network sign-up form.

By becoming a Communities Network member, you will receive up to date information, news and details of local events. Networking can encourage connections with other individuals or groups facing similar problems and issues and can help us work together towards community solutions and to continue to Build Great Communities in Leicestershire. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Communities Team 

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