Community Service Volunteers - Sustainable Clyde
Project
Community Service Volunteers (CSV) is a national
charity set up in 1962 to create opportunities for
people to play an active part in their community and to
develop new ways of tackling social problems. Since
1993 CSV has become increasingly involved in the
sustainable development agenda, supporting local action
that integrates social and environmental
improvements.
CSV Media, the programme which delivered this
project, has a track record of working as a social
partner with commercial broadcasting organisations and
is experienced in developing media-friendly campaigns
around issues traditionally not covered by the
mainstream.
They received Sustainable Action Grant funding for their "Sustainable Clyde" project which
aimed to promote an understanding of sustainable
development to people in the West of Scotland with a
radio-based campaign. CSV worked in partnership with Radio
Clyde which has a potential audience of 1.2 million
listeners. On-air programming was coupled with off-air
support in the form of leaflets and information packs, road
shows and outside events, as well as information via the
website.
April 2002 - Furniture Recycling Week
This campaign involved live outside broadcasts and
reports designed to encourage listeners to recycle
furniture. Information was provided on a number of
community organisations who restore and re-distribute
furniture to families and individuals in need. Over 1,000
leaflets were requested during the campaign and it has been
in constant demand since. This had details of all furniture
recycling resources in West Central Scotland. Some
information on sustainable development was included as were
details of other recycling schemes such as mobile phones
and computers. Radio Clyde staff used it to refer listeners to furniture
recycling projects.
Summer 2002 - Radio Features
During the summer months a series of short
pre-recorded features highlighting aspects of waste,
energy and travel were produced. Rather than provide
information directly, they were intended to make people
think about the issues involved, often in a humorous
way and - if interested - to seek more
information.
July 2002 - Barr's Week
For the ninth successive year, there was a week-long
series of summer games roadshows in association with Barr's
Irn-Bru focusing on environmental issues, which
visited five parks across Glasgow and West Central
Scotland, including Queen's Park, Glasgow , Strathclyde Park and the Stadium, Dunoon. Some 6,000 children
attended.
The games theme of 'Healthy Planet' with interactive
boards aimed to promote sustainable development in a
child-friendly way. The three most popular games
looked at package recycling, energy conservation and travel
and transport.
Each child was handed a guide entitled
'Being Young... and Green' which emphasised the major part
children can play to save energy and recycle waste.
Games outdoors provided a great opportunity to
involve children in hands-on environmental activities such
as a 'park makeover' - including planting new plants and
seeds into large beds at Strathclyde Country Park .
With the help of Alcan the children
were encouraged to recycle all the cans of Irn-Bru
drunk on the day in special yellow Alcan recycling bins
- these proved to be a great success with both children
and adults.
July 2002 - Energy
CSV Media highlighted the work of Strathclyde and
Central (West) Energy Efficiency Advice Centre. An appeal
was broadcast on-air for people and organisations to
undergo an environmental audit. Energy efficiency audits
were conducted on a local business, Glass Reinforced
Products, Paisley and the Boyd family, also of Paisley . Advice was given on insulation, energy consumption
and waste minimisation.
August 2002 - Walking to Work
Clyde Action used this campaign to try to conduct
normal business by walking and using public transport
(when a company van would have been the usual method of
transport). Getting to interviews, recording features
live in outside locations, a series of bulletins
broadcast throughout the day. The most obvious lessons
were additional time taken, flexibility in arrangements
and not least the weight of equipment to be carried for
recording purposes. Additional information on the added
benefits of walking (e.g. health and exercise) was
distributed.
February 2003 - Energy Efficiency Week
Live broadcasts, reports and updates highlighted
and revisited the work of energy efficiency agencies.
30 callers asked for further detailed advice and more
leaflets were distributed.
April 2003 - Action Earth Campaign
This on-air campaign encouraged people from both
urban and rural areas to participate in improving their
environment. Grant s were available to help with tool purchase,
equipment, materials and refreshments. From March to June
over 100 projects in Scotland signed up involving over 1450 volunteers.
Initiatives included clearing woodlands, litter packs,
planting trees and bulbs, creating footpaths, building bird
and bat boxes and recycling schemes. This was being
repeated in 2004.
July-August 2003 - Summer Guide
Another on-air campaign aimed at schoolchildren,
parents and community group leaders. It highlighted
the range of activities open to children, families and
children's groups during the summer holidays.
A booklet included information on cycleways,
cycle safety, country parks and city parks.
1500 copies were sent out across the west of
Scotland .
July 2003 - Summer Games
The tenth successful year of Clyde Action in
partnership with Radio Clyde and Barr's Irn-Bru organising
a week-long series of summer games roadshows in five parks
- including Glasgow Green and Drumpellier Park,
Coatbridge. Over 6000 children attended.
They were given leaflets on the benefits of
recycling waste using different bins.
September 2003 - Recycling
An on-air campaign and a booklet listed recycling
projects and charity shops with home truths on energy in
the home, composting, travel and buying recycled.
October 2003 - Make a Difference Day
This UK-wide initiative encouraged people to "make a
difference" in their community, and included environmental
projects. In
Scotland 402 projects were supported by 7000
volunteers.
Contact
Bobby Caldwell
Scottish Manager
CSV Media
236 Clyde Street
Glasgow
G1 4JH
Telephone: 0141 2041681
Email:
bcaldwell@csv.org.uk
www.csv.org.uk