HANDBOOKS & HOW-TO GUIDES
Setting up a "Friends of" groups
How to Set Up a "Friends of" Group (you might also like to look at the funding that is available for new groups, such as the Chestnut Fund).
Draft Constitution (a Word document for you to download and amend for you own needs).
If you are planning to set up a new group it might be worth looking at the following:
BTCV also provides competitive insurance to associated group. For further information please visit the BTCV Web site. We recommend this to any new or established groups that don't already have insurance if you are intending to carry volunteer works days or events.
REN also has various publications on setting up groups, published by BTCV and other bodies. These can be borrowed from our Community Resource Library or we can provide you with copies for free. Two good examples are BTCV Local Action, the BTCV guide to organising a group for practical conservation work, and the Urban Handbook, a practical guide to community environmental work. Please Contact Us to borrow them or receive your own copy.
In addition, REN can and will always provide support to all groups located within the borough as this one of the main aims of Richmond Environment Network.
Help with Fundraising*
REN provides support to local environmental groups in the borough by providing information on available funding via this website and e-newsletters (these can be subscribed to via the Contact Us form and ticking the corresponding box) and also over looking application/bids or acting as a referee. We have had good sucess with group we have supported receiving the funding they have applied for. To enable groups to understand their fundraising needs its always advisable to write a fundraising strategy and a good template to use can be found here, courtesy of Richmond CVS.
*We only suply this information or support if your group/organisation/project is within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Information and Links for Environmental Education and Activities
Printed Resources: for printed resources, please have a look at our list of useful publications.
Online Resources: resources for global issues.
Handbooks
BTCV Handbooks: these handbooks are available to be read online (you can also print them, although this might take a long time). We also have some of these available in the REN/BTCV office, which can be lent out. Contact Us if would like to borrow them.
Decaying Wood: this leaflet gives details on how to manage decaying wood as a valuable habitat.
Wildlife Trusts: the Wildlife Trusts charity has free-to-download publications on the following subjects: Eels, Great Crested Newts, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, River Bank Protection, Water Voles, Perils of Pond Life, and Water Wise Gardening
Quality Marks and Standards
Green Pennant Award: the Green Pennant Award is a national award that recognises high-quality green spaces in England and Wales that are managed by voluntary and community groups. The Award has an impressive and established background – it is part of the Green Flag Award scheme, the national quality standard for parks and green spaces. The Green Pennant Award is run by the Civic Trust, with CABE Space (a division of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) being the main funding partner.
