Active Communities

Why do something in your school or community?
Last year, Active Communities Champions raised awareness of international development, and inspired action, in over 280,000 people… a staggering achievement!

With your help, we can raise awareness of poverty and disadvantage and promote real change by sharing your skills, knowledge and passion for development in your own communities and schools.

For 50 years, you’ve been helping others understand the links between our own lives and actions, and the lives of other people around the world. By tackling global issues at a local level we can support the work that VSO volunteers are doing in the field and make a real difference, from right here in the UK!

What is Active Communities?
Our Vision: Active Communities seeks to develop a community of active global citizens working together for social change by increasing understanding of international development, taking personal action, and engaging others in eradicating global poverty and disadvantage.

What can you do?

• Find Out More
• Take Personal Action
• Inspire Others

There are loads of things you can do to make a difference – from organising a talk or hosting a film night or photography exhibition, to inspiring young people by bringing a global dimension into the classroom. If you have a bit more time and want to work with other enthusiastic supporters, why not get involved in one of our School or Community Action Projects, or even better, start one of your own!

The great thing about Active Communities is that you do something about the issues you’re most passionate about.

How do I get started?

• Step 1
  Sign up. You will receive the Active Communities Newsletter and more information about how you can make a difference.
• Step 2
  Be a Schools Champion: If you’re a teacher or work in education.
  Be a Community Champion: If you want to raise awareness and promote action in your local community.
• Step 3
  Be inspired by others! Have a look at some fantastic examples of Action Projects here Ideas & Inspiration.
  Whether you are doing a simple development awareness activity, or rising to the challenge of a School or Community Action Project, check out our resources to get you started.
• Step 4
  Tell Us About It! Please share your good news stories by emailing us at active.communities@vso.org.uk.  
  

Share Your Good News Stories!
Thank you so much for all your awareness-raising efforts. Please help us to celebrate your achievements, and, just as importantly, to measure the collective impact of all our supporters in the UK, by completing our quick Global Awareness Activities Survey. Tell us about your talks and presentations in your school or community.

Hot Topic
Why not check out our current, topical development theme, updated every few months? This summer we’re focusing on the Global Food Shortage – a challenge that affects us all.

Finally, Thank You
Whether you only have an hour to spare or want to be involved in something more ambitious, everyone has a contribution to make. From all of the team, and on behalf of the communities around the world in which we work, a huge Thank You for all your continued support. We had a fantastic year last year and want to make 2008 even better!