Thriving local communities are essential to creating a more sustainable world. Students can play a strong role in their community, generating a mutually enriching and sustainable living experience. For information on building community in LS6 see www.headingley.org.uk.

What's the link with being green?

Being active in your local community is one area in which it is easy to make a big difference to many people. Consuming and producing on a local level, whether it's food grown at a community allotment project or going to a gig at the community centre, massively reduces the need to transport people and goods long distances. In turn, this reduces burning of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases – and best of all, it makes a happier life for everyone!
 

What can I do?

Here are 5 suggestions of ways to get more involved in your local area.

Get to know your neighbours – knock on the door and introduce yourself, or say hello when you can!

Organise, or volunteer for, a "community clean-up", such as Green Streets.

Shop locally

Start a teaching session at your local community centre

Get involved with and an established group.

Groups with multiple projects

Action

LUU group with over 20 projects working in local community. www.luuonline.com/action

The Peanut Gallery

A student-run social centre in LUU includes meeting, cinema e.t.c.
peanutgallery.wetpaint.com/

Transition City Leeds

A grassroots action model for a smooth transition into a low carbon future. Aims to connect together all relevant activities & initiatives. transition-city-leeds.wikispaces.com/

The Common Place

An independent, collectively-run social centre in the city centre.. Free space for groups to meet, vegan cafe on Sundays and regular events. www.thecommonplace.org.uk

Oblong Resource Centre

Facilities for community use in Burley / Hyde Park area.
www.oblongleeds.org.uk

Swarthmore Centre

A community education centre. www.swarthmore.org.uk
 

Groups on single projects

Bandstand Community Gardens

Allotment project based in Woodhouse. [[http://bandstand-leeds.wikispaces.com/| Bandstand]]

Hyde Park Growers

Members of the group will be taught how to grow their own food. Any surplus is sold locally. Contact: unigreenleeds [dot] ac [dot] uk

BTCV

A conservation charity working with community groups. Hollybush Conservation Centre, Kirkstall. www.btcv.org.uk

Hyde Park Source

Voluntary group working with young people beautifying urban space.
Email: hydeparksourcebtconnect [dot] com
Tel: 2458863

Woodhouse Ridge Action Group

Fortnightly clean-ups on The Ridge. www.woodhouseridge.org.uk
 

Venues

Want to hold an event but not sure where? Here are some suggestions:
The Peanut Gallery: Leeds Uni Student Union

The Common Place: See above.

Headingley Community Centre: North Lane 274 5727

Woodhouse Community Centre: On Woodhouse Lane 0113 2445259

Woodsley Road Community Centre: 64-67 Woodsley Road, serving Hyde Park / Burley area 0113 2435104

Wrangthorn Church Hall: Hyde Park corner