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

Run by the Association of London Government (on behalf of all London Boroughs) and the Home Office, Operation Scrap-It is a campaign to rid London's streets of untaxed and abandoned vehicles. This programme aims to improve Londoners' quality of life by ending the environmental blight cause by nuisance vehicles, by taking away unwanted cars for free and disposing of them safely.

If you would like more information on abandoned vehicles in London telephone 020 7747 4822 or visit www.alg.gov.uk/scrap-it/index.htm

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 on the local level. There are 376 CDRPs to cover nearly every local authority area in England & Wales. Each one produces an audit and strategy for its local area.

For further information visit www.crimereduction.gov.uk to get ideas for local crime reduction initiatives or to view crime statistics or telephone 01347 825 058

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Defra work for the essentials of life - food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. This government department's remit is to bring all aspects of the environment, rural matters, farming and food production together and act as a focal point for rural policy.

For general information, documents and publications on countryside and wildlife conservation visit www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/index.htm or telephone 08459 33 55 77

The Countryside Agency was established by the Government in 1999 and is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It aims to conserve and enhance England's countryside, spread social and economic opportunity for the people who live there, and, help everyone, wherever they live and whatever their background to enjoy the countryside and share in this priceless asset. The Agency has provides publications, case studies and learning networks.

For more information visit www.countryside.gov.uk or telephone 01242 521381

Launched by the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit of the Home Office, the TOGETHER campaign aims to get tough on anti-social behaviour such as abandoned vehicles. An ActionLine is available every weekday on 0870 220 2000, to provide information, and to discuss solutions and best practice to help practitioners tackle anti-social behaviour throughout England and Wales.

For further information visit www.together.gov.uk.

The Neighbourhood Wardens Team administers a programme that funds a uniformed semi-official presence in residential and high crime areas with the aim of reducing crime and the fear of crime, improving the environment, quality of life and safety. Neighbourhood wardens work closely with residents, police and local authorities to tackle deprivation and anti-social behaviour at a grass-roots level. They promote community safety, community engagement, assist with environmental or housing improvements and help with neighbourhood management fostering social inclusion. Often they provide a reassuring presence in a community, and have a number of roles depending on local needs.

The Neighbourhood website provides plenty of information on wardening, including funding, awards and training visit www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/nmwt/wardens.asp or telephone 020 7944 2537 There is also an on-line resource for warden scheme managers and practitioners to share good practice, news stories and other items of interest at www.ecommunities.odpm.gov.uk

An educational resource provided to schools by Crimestoppers. The resource pack focuses on crime related issues that affect young people, and can be used as part of the citizenship curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to think about issues like graffiti, the impact it makes on residents and the cost of crime in their surrounding area. CrimeStoppers operates a freephone number 0800 555 111 to help prevent and solve crimes.

For more information visit the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org/campaigns.asp

A government website from the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit,which aims to help all those involved in neighbourhood renewal. The site provides documents, reports and good practice, including information on what makes a successful campaign, which can be used particularly in relation to litter, graffiti and fly-tipping. There are also details of the Community Regeneration Award, regional pages and a "jargon busters" section.

Visit www.renewal.net to access information or take part in online discussions or telephone 08450 828 383