Basic clear information regarding "liveability" (greener, safer, cleaner), which allows you to discuss the issues online. It defines liveability and identifies the key issues and obstacles that need to be tackled if we are to improve the quality of people's everyday lives. This is an interactive site from the IDeA and BBC Worldwide learning, providing an e-learning module and demonstrates how councils and others have tackled some of the liveability issues.

Visit www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=77793 for more information. The site has a useful search facility for the contact details of each council. For assistance telephone 020 7296 6880

Groundwork is a federation of nearly fifty Trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, each working with their partners to improve the quality of the local environment, the lives of local people and the success of local businesses in areas in need of investment and support. It is part funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and supported by corporate, local and European funding. Every year Groundwork Trusts deliver thousands of projects in neighbourhoods that are blighted by a variety of social or economic problems. These projects aim to create opportunities for people to learn new skills and to take local action. They also aim to help businesses and individuals fulfil their potential. There are many opportunities for volunteers in Groundwork Trusts or they may be able to support a local project including regenerating parks and gardens.

For more information visit www.groundwork.org.uk or telephone 0121 236 8565

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) specialises in working with people especially volunteers within their communities, to bring about positive environmental change. In the early years, BTCV developed volunteering as a means to achieve an environmental goal, now conservation volunteering is also becoming a focus for the achievement of wider social goals tackling social exclusion and encouraging personal development and lifelong learning. For more information on becoming involved, on training, conservation holidays or to order conservation handbooks visit www.btcv.org or telephone 01302 572 244. You can also find out more about BTCV's Green Gyms, which offer the opportunity to improve your fitness by getting involved in practical conservation activities such as planting hedges, creating and maintaining community gardens, or improving footpaths. For Green Gyms in your areas visit www.btcv.org/greengym/regions/map.html

Crime is tackled in every local area by Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) – a combination of police, local authorities and other organisations and businesses who have come together to develop and implement strategies for tackling crime and disorder at local level. There are 376 CDRPs to cover nearly every local authority area in England and Wales. Each one produces an audit and strategy for its local area. For further information to get ideas for local crime reduction initiatives or to view crime statistics visit www.crimereduction.gov.uk or telephone 01347 825058

The Living Streets initiative is a nationwide, ongoing campaign to win back the streets for everybody. The Living Streets Manifesto is the battle plan to enable communities to take over public space, by making streets places we want to spend time in. The campaign offers information, support, training and resource packs. For specific information on dog fouling visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/download/6-pb010-dog-fouling.pdf or telephone 0207 820 1010