How Solihull's Environment Champions work with the council to transform their neighbourhoods

Solihull’s Environment Champions was launched by the Department of Environment in Solihull Council to tackle the community’s problem with littering, vandalism and other environmental crimes. Projects have not only improved the local environment in ways that pleased residents but also helped to combat a culture of environmental crime that can result in more serious crime. Since the Environment Champions started, over 100 projects have been undertaken and there are now more that 270 champions working with the council and its partners to improve neighbourhoods. Furthermore, the programme has increased social cohesion and bolstered social capital with the borough.

Have a look at the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos and learn how this transformation was achieved ...

Solihull’s Environment Champions was launched Neighbourhood Services of Solihull Council to tackle the community’s problem with littering, vandalism and other environmental crimes.

The projects objectives were to:

1. Instigate greater community involvement and ownership over issues affecting the quality of life of neighbourhoods.
2. To reduce environmental crime that can spill-over to more serious crime and anti-social behaviour. By changing normative behaviour and signals the project sought to end a cycle that eroded social capital and cohesion.
3. Improve the partnership between public, private and voluntary groups within Solihull promoting Localism.
4. To make Solihull Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Healthier.

Environment Champions was created by Solihull Council in 2007.  The council initially registered 63 individuals, from the existing Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, who it considered highly inclined be involved in the project. During its first year and a half the project was run by one Council member of staff as part of their existing duties and another part-time staff member.

The project success and potential was immediately evident to the community. This led to high levels of will for involvement. Due to its success, funding was sought and granted by the Council in November 2008 for a full time post and a small capital budget. The Environment Champions now forms part of the Neighbourhood Activity Programme that also delivers sports based intervention to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour among young people at hotspot locations across the borough.

This included:

• health and safety training to ensure the safety of volunteers
• clear and effective communication. It is easy for members of the community to highlight environmental problems or give ideas for projects. There is regular communication of the projects achievements through a quarterly newsletter. This provides an incentive to  volunteers and community partners by highlighting the value of the work they do;
• clear targets for the recruitment of volunteers, affiliated organisations, and the number of projects to be completed. Some of these targets are now included in the Council’s Neighbourhood management divisions monthly performance reporting. Ensure these are promoted regularly;
• the Environmental Champion coordinator, Trish Willetts, who provides a driving force behind the project.
• a charter outlining ground rules for membership. These rules were put in place to protect the scheme and volunteers. The guidelines ensured that all of the initiative projects had the awareness and support of the co-ordinator. Projects have to be easy and non-invasive to other residents. Projects had to prove they were bringing benefits to the whole community, and are targeted in areas without the financial or physical capability to do the work without help. The project also maintains political neutrality. Projects proposed or led by political organisation will not be supported by the coordinator or other Neighbourhood staff.

Environment Champions engage in the following activities:

• Litter picks 
• Graffiti removal
• Putting up dog fouling signs
• Projects to improve the communities appearance (wall painting and planting schemes)
•  Metal Marking Scheme
• Conservation projects
• Large scale projects 

The project connects the following partners:

• The Police
• Community organisations (Parish Councils and ward member, charities, the Princes Trust, social enterprises, and resident groups).
• 20 schools
• 89 local businesses, such as small local companies, and larger national ones like the National Grid, and Barclays.
• And the Council’s partner contractors (Amey).  

Despite the project’s success the council doesn’t want to rest on its laurels. The Council wants to:

1. Create a number of ‘super-champions’ to supervise project and recruit more volunteers.
2. Align the programme with local priorities and agenda’s i.e. Community Safety Focus on
3. Large Scale projects with increased impact while maintaining quick wins i.e. assisting resident led litter picks
4. Increase engagement with the community to build confidence and capacity to volunteer.
5. Further encourage links between community groups.
6. Improve the efficiency that projects are matched to business to support corporate social volunteering.
7. Ensure Lean principles are adhered to ensure productivity and maximising ‘value for money’
8. Work with the Council’s employer volunteer scheme
9. Full time rental of a small van to allow officer to transport equipment, deliver and collect equipment.

These pictures of environmental conservation projects speak for themselves in terms of positive environmental outcomes. The conservation projects also show how the coordinator has been able to provide support for ideas enabling residents to work as a efficient team carrying out work themselves. They have also created a strong social group, act as community role models and teach other residents about getting involved.

As of March2013 there were:

• Number of Champions: 350 
• Number of affiliated orgs: 250 
• Number of projects: 600

Since November 2008 the project has been financed by a small budget and one full time project coordinator.

Public spaces that are taken care of by community involvement require less maintenance by the local council. As a result, Solihull Council believes the projects have led to added value of over £500,000. 

The Environmental Champions initiative has several lessons for other local councils and agencies interested in co-production and greater community involvement.

1. A strong co-ordinator provides important support, supervision, strategic use of capacity, and ensures momentum.
2. Regular promotion of success, particularly in local press and to partners and councillors to maximise impact
3.  A strong and clearly outlined framework is crucial. Targets and clear methods for performance measurement help ensure success and growth of an initiative. The framework safeguards against project failure that can discourage community participation and reduce possible social gains.
4. Quick wins, rewards and publicity. Environment Champions shows that it is crucial to establish early successes to attract more volunteers and private partners. This allows the project to be scaled up. It is also important to show appreciation to volunteers. Post-volunteering parties and publicity in the media give volunteers and business partners further motivation to be involved. Good use of the media illustrates successes and also helps recruit more participants.
5. Involve younger people. They provide enthusiasm and imagination. Volunteering can make them role models and provides skills which improve the employability of young people.
6. Building strong partnerships is crucial. They are important for providing resources, skills and capacity which is crucial in a context of small budgets and big society. Partnerships provide good will and leads to a more cohesive community.
7. Local Businesses – are always on the lookout for projects in their local area as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, capitalise on this for large projects.

There have been several reports in local newspapers. These have been on:

• The 'Alice in Biodiversity Land' project
• refurbishment of Crabtree Hall
• Collaboration between the Police and Environment Champions