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Greenlink Berkshire
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The network of community groups committed to the care of the environment, greener living and development of the local economy in Berkshire. |
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 Community
Enterprise A community
enterprise is defined as having social and environmental objectives,
especially training, aims eventually to become self-financing and is run by
local people. Generally, they provide local services to local people;
community cafes, community gardens, managed workspace for instance. Rather
than maximising shareholder value, their main aim is to generate profit to
further their social and environmental goals.
Social Enterprise Berkshire is a good place to start. It provides training
and support for businesses wanting to set up as co-operatives or community
enterprises. There's lots more information at
www.socialenterprise.org.uk
actionforall.org.uk/ba4all/home is a one stop shop of help and advice
for community organisations across Berkshire
Would your enterprise or project benefit from an internet-ready computer?
Look up www.btcommunityconnections.com to find out how to apply for a free
computer being given away by BT Community Connections this year.
Here are one or two examples of community businesses in Berkshire
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Charcoal Project |
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The Pang Valley Charcoal Project was set up in 1994 to supply high
quality, locally produced charcoal to five B & Q stores. At present the UK
imports over 96% of its charcoal which originates in tropical and mangrove
forests.
The Project is keen to promote the management of small woodlands and the
reinstatement of coppice. The limiting factor at present is the availability
of good coppice material.
At present three craftsmen are employed full-time and, as well as charcoal
production, they have also created markets for other woodland products such
as greenwood furniture, hurdles, hedgelaying stakes and binders, lathes and
pegs.
Please contact Pang Valley Countryside
Project Officer for further information: Tel. 0118
930 5335
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Community Composting |
| Community composting
is an area where people living in the same street or estate work together to
provide their own compost. Lots more information at the Community Recycling
Network www.crn.org.uk |
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Horticultural Therapy |
Horticultural Therapy centres are found
throughout Berkshire. They all have the aim of helping people with a variety of
disadvantages into employment or contributing to society or self-achievement
through the medium of horticulture. See your local area for details of centres.
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Scout
Enterprises |
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Enterprise Recycling is a social enterprise project run by Scout Enterprises
offering WEEE waste collection. Whether you own a small shop, office, school, or
a large factory or distribution centre, we collect your WEEE waste in a way that
makes life easy for you.
Anything we collect will be treated here in the UK using the best available
environmental techniques. All computer equipment will be treated with secure
data destruction. We will not fill a container and send it to China or Africa.
Anything we can’t refurbish will be sent for recycling in UK facilities.
We handle all the paperwork for you. We are licensed carriers and take the
WEEE to our licensed site. Any transfer notes or hazardous waste consignment
notes are managed by us, thus ensuring your compliance with environmental
legislation. Contact Martyn Brown at
martynbrown@enterpriserecycling.co.uk or phone: 0118 959 6963
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Smart
Energy Co-operative |
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Launched in April 2010 Smart Energy Co-operative is a local renewable energy
co-operative that was formed to help householders and businesses benefit from
the huge advantages of adopting renewable energy solutions. Find out more
at www.smartenergy.coop |
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True Food Community Co-op |
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True Food Community Co-operative is a
not-for-profit community enterprise that takes good and healthy organic foods to
community venues in and around Reading.
Organic fresh fruit and veg, bread, loose and packaged wholefoods as well as
eco-friendly household products are now taken to ten community venues in
Reading, Caversham and Twyford twice a month. Co-op members who have grown their
own produce organically may barter or sell at sales.
Contact: Chris Aldridge, tel 0845 330 8272
E-mail:
organics@truefood.coop
Website:
www.truefood.coop |
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