There are loads of great groups in Swale working to make their local environment better for everyone and undertaking exciting local initiatives. We are working to support and encourage them where possible.
Swale In Bloom champions the initiative ‘Get Swale Growing’, aimed at getting more people growing around the borough, whether this is growing more fruit and veg or filling your garden with pollinator-friendly plants. Email AliCorbel@swale.gov.uk for more information.
More information about Get Swale Growing is available from their website, through email and by phone.
This group started with the aim of building a team large enough to tackle the mountain of litter that has built up in recent months. Initially covering Faversham & Swale East, but would like to cover all of Swale with a big enough team! Check out their facebook page to find out how you can help in your local area.
More information about Swale Litter Squad is available from their website, through email and by phone.
A voluntary group of people from different backgrounds, all passionate about creating a thriving world for everyone. That means a healthy natural environment and a fair economy where everyone’s needs are met, now and in the long run. Our motto: ‘Think global, Act local’ Running for over 30 years with more than 80 members. They meet monthly to plan campaigns and celebrate successes!
More information about Swale Friends of the Earth is available from their website, through email and by phone.
The Youth Forum provides an opportunity for young people to share their views on local issues. If you are a secondary school student wishing to make your voice heard about climate change, get involved.
More information about Swale Youth Forum is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Kent Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity with more than 31,000 members and over 1000 registered volunteers. They manage and protect over 9000 acres of land across more than 80 different sites and nature reserves, alongside 3 visitor centres. They work closely with local communities, landowners and partners to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent.
More information about Kent Wildlife Trust is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Orchard Community Energy’s purpose is to develop community-owned renewable energy, low carbon and energy efficiency projects in Swale and Medway. The team concentrates on projects that reduce the impact of climate change and increase our energy security, whilst at the same time generating significant donations to the community fund. They project that the project will deliver a community fund of up to £3 million over 25 years. Criteria for eligible projects supported through the community fund may include wildlife conservation, climate change mitigation and carbon reduction projects.
More information about Orchard Community Energy is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Plastic Free Faversham is a community group run by volunteers with the aim of raising awareness about the overuse of single-use plastic and other ecological issues. They endeavour to offer eco-friendly advice and alternatives to the lifestyle problems of our time. Why not join their lockdown litter pick challenge or lockdown art competition.
More information about Plastic Free Faversham is available from their website, through email and by phone.
The Abbey Physic Gardens in Faversham provide companionship, therapeutic activities, training and skill building for people with mental health issues, those who are socially isolated and everyone in the wider community. Offering weekly vegan cooking courses, learn how to grow your garden or join the Ground Force Action Team to help build sustainable wildlife areas.
More information about Abbey Physic Community Garden is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Faversham in Kent has been announced as ‘Neighbourhood with the Best Buzz’, a unique award from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Making a Buzz for the Coast project in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust’s ‘Wild about Gardens’ scheme.
More information about Making a Buzz Faversham is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Blossoms of Hope is a community garden on the Millfield Road Allotments in Faversham. The garden aims to support adults with mild to moderate mental health issues, through the medium of horticulture, woodworking and art therapies to promote their well-being.
More information about Blossoms of Hope is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Supporting adults with learning difficulties to gain new skills through making products from reclaimed wood. Items created include homes for wildlife, furniture and artwork. The profits are used to continue to support the work of the Eco Shed.
More information about The Eco Shed is available from their website, through email and by phone.
The trust was set up by a group of local residents in December 2011 to promote and enhance Milton Creek Country Park. They aim to nurture and sustain a green heart for Sittingbourne by engaging the local community in partnership with the Friends of Milton Creek to encourage environmental, conservation, social and economic well-being.
More information about Milton Creek Trust is available from their website, through email and by phone.
The Meads Community Woodland is a new habitat and there are very few records available for the site, therefore, it is crucially important to ensure that all records that are made at the site are sent to the appropriate recording group and/or the Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre.
More information about The Meads Community Woodland is available from their website, through email and by phone.
A pretty plot and polytunnel set in an old orchard in Kent, is home to a local group who grow their own produce together. This collaborative food growing project is also learning to make its own compost, harvest rainwater, keep bees and much more. Find out how you can get involved.
More information about Lynsted Community Kitchen Garden is available from their website, through email and by phone.
This group is committed to helping reduce the Town's reliance on Single Use Plastic, by encouraging Individuals, Shops & Local businesses to look at what they currently use and swapping to more sustainable & less wasteful alternatives.
More information about Plastic Free Sheerness is available from their website, through email and by phone.
The community allotments provide a safe environment for people of all abilities to learn, grow and develop skills such as gardening, sharing and patience. They encourage the positive impacts for physical, mental, and emotional health, and well-being, by growing good food in a healthy environment and by learning how to get the best out of inexpensive ingredients. The allotments are also home to The Wellie Club, which is particularly successful in the education of young people on the effects of climate change as well as the benefits of growing your own food and healthy eating.
More information about Sheppey Matters Community Allotments is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Since the MSEP was established in 2000, it has successfully delivered over £1 million of projects throughout north Kent, working alongside local people, regional, national and European organisations, in order to enhance and raise awareness of the estuary’s importance, both ecologically and historically.
More information about Medway Swale Estuary Partnership is available from their website, through email and by phone.
Big Local is an exciting opportunity for residents in 150 areas around England to use at least £1,000,000 each to make a massive and lasting positive difference to their communities. Big Local brings together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area an even better place to live. The Big Local Eastern Sheppey Partnership invites applications from local clubs, constituted groups, charities and social enterprises for grants of up to £500 to hold events, activities or purchase items to benefit people in the Bay View, Eastchurch, Leysdown & Warden Big Local area.
More information about Big Local Eastern Sheppey is available from their website, through email and by phone.
