BTCV PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TO

ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

BTCV,  the UK’s largest practical conservation charity, held an Iftar at the House of Commons hosted by Bob Russell MP, on Tuesday Nov 19^th 2002.   

The intention behind holding an Iftar celebration is to promote the work that is already being carried out, to educate and encourage volunteers from the ethnic communities to play a positive role in enhancing their environment now and for future generations. 

BTCV is involved in a number of groundbreaking projects within these communities:

BTCV Environments for All has worked in partnership with Willesden Green Central Mosque and the nearby Pakistani Community Centre to clear a neglected area of Green space and remove graffiti from vandalised garden walls.  This is the first stage of the project; the next will be to create a green area for local children and a garden that provides out door activities for older residents.  Environments for All is supported by the Community Fund and Barclays community investment programme. 

BTCV People’s Places, Shadwell Garden Bizzie Lizzies project in London is working with Bangladeshi women to turn a neglected space into a green community area, including raised flowerbeds.  This includes helping the 160 volunteers to develop skills that will enable them maintain the area in the future.  The project has received a BTCV People’s Places award of £8,115.  People’s Places is supported by the New Opportunities Fund and Rio Tinto plc, and run by BTCV in partnership with English Nature.

                   Environments for All

 BTCV Prudential Grass Roots programme supports communities to improve their local environment. One of the projects is the Sunderland Road Community Garden in Manningham, Bradford, an area with a large Asian community.  This small site is to the rear of a row of terraced housing.  Despite repeated clearances, it is regularly used as a dumping ground for rubbish and unwanted items.  BTCV is helping the residents to clear the site and then install railings to deter dumping and define the site.  It will then be landscaped to provide a space for quiet recreation, children to play and other community uses.  Prudential Grass Roots is sponsored by Prudential plc.

                             Environments for All

  Bob Russell MP for Colchester who is hosting the event, is delighted to be working with BTCV. He says: “It’s important for everyone, not just MPs but communities as a whole, to know about the work going on at grass roots levels across the UK and how ethnic communities are getting involved in looking after their local environment”

For further information you may contact 01491 821600

Or                www.bctv.org.uk