Sustrans the sustainable transport charity, works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport for health, safety and environmental reasons. Their aim is to create a Safe Route to School for every child in the UK. The Safe Routes to School website gives information on School Travel Plans, has case studies, a resource library and you can subscribe to their newsletter. The site is useful for teachers, pupils, governors, parents and local authorities.

Visit www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk. They also provide an information service on 0117 915 0100.

A range of publications for the public giving advice on how they can tackle specific issues such as abandoned vehicles. Crime Concern aims to empower people to take action and to reduce the fear of crime and crime itself at a local level. It also provides information on the Crime and Disorder Act.

Visit www.crimeconcern.org.uk or telephone 01793 863 500

Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Britain in Bloom has grown into the largest horticultural campaign in Europe. Every year, hundreds of communities are involved, from tiny rural villages to the largest cities, all bringing a great deal of horticultural skill and huge enthusiasm to one common aim: to regenerate local
environments, both locally and nationally, by the imaginative planting of trees and shrubs, flowers and landscaping and by dealing with local environmental issues, such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.

For advice on how to enter the Britain in Bloom competition and for more details of the campaign visit www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/index.asp or for access to the wide range of services and advice from the RHS visit www.rhs.org.uk or telephone 020 7834 4333

The People's Places award scheme is run by BTCV, and is open to community groups in rural and urban areas across England. Awards are targeted at communities living in areas of deprivation and at disadvantaged groups. It offers groups a chance to make a difference to their community by creating or improving a "people's place". This could be an area of land that could be turned into a community garden or park, or a building that the group wants to turn into an environmental community resource. Awards of £3,000 to £10,000 are available and guidance and eligibility notes are provided on the website.

For more information visit www.btcv.org/ppawards/intro.html or telephone the People’s Places Award Unit on 01491 821621.

The RSPB is a wildlife conservation charity with more than a million members, 9,000 volunteers and 170 nature reserves. It works to preserve the environment for birds and wildlife, believing that the health of bird populations is indicative of the health of the planet, on which the future of the human race depends. Members of the public can volunteer to help in conservation or other projects.

For general information visit www.rspb.org.uk or telephone 01767 680551