How to get involved
Hope Valley Climate Action started in 2019 as a handful of villages that decided the climate emergency wasn’t something to wait out. Today, we’re a charity and nearly everything we deliver, from tree planting to educational talks to fundraising for solar on village halls, is powered by volunteers. Just two part-time staff support the whole operation; the rest is down to people like you giving what time they can.
We believe anyone who wants to take action on climate change here can find a path to do so. That might mean joining a working group, standing as a trustee, showing up for a planting day, or simply telling us what you’d like to see happen next in your village. Whatever time or skills you can offer, we’d love to hear from you.
We want as many people as possible involved in local climate action. Below are some ideas of how you can get involved with HVCA, and we are alwasy keen to hear your ideas too.
Questions? Email us at info@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
Hope Valley Climate Action is a small charity, run predominantly by volunteers and supported by just two part-time staff. Everything we achieve depends on people giving their time, and we’d love some more support.
You don’t need any experience to get involved, just enthusiasm and an interest in helping your community. Whether you want to meet people locally, get stuck into an issue you care about, or learn something new, there’s a way in that suits you. This could be anything from:
- Attending and taking part in a project meetup
- Helping out at our events – preparing venues, welcoming attendees, supporting activities
- Spreading the word locally and on social media
- Starting up a project or activity of your own interest
Do you have a specific skill?
We’re also keen to hear from people with skills in social media, photography/videography, web/graphic design, writing and editing, or event support.
Even an hour or two now and then really helps. Pop yourself on our volunteer list (see email preferences below), and we’ll reach out when opportunities come up, or contact us for more information at info@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
Become a trustee
Our volunteers are the backbone of everything HVCA delivers, and our trustees are what makes that possible. They set our direction, look after our finances and governance, and make sure the work stays true to why we started: a community effort where everyone in the Hope Valley benefits from a lower-carbon, more resilient future.
We’re looking for people who care about that future and are willing to give some time to help steer it. You don’t need previous board experience, just good judgement, a willingness to ask questions and share ideas, and enough time for quarterly board meetings, plus any additional support you’re able to offer our action groups or volunteers.. We particularly welcome trustees who can bring skills in finance, fundraising, or governance, community engagement, and people from across all Hope Valley villages and different walks of life. The more varied our board, the better our decisions.
If you’ve been contemplating taking the next step toward supporting Climate Action in the Hope Valley, this might be it. Have a chat with us, no commitment required, and see if it’s a fit. Email us at info@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
Join a HVCA group
We currently have three key working areas: Land, Energy, and Travel & Transport. Each group is convened by a trustee, but it’s volunteers who deliver the talks, events, training, and fundraising that make things happen on the ground. From tree planting and hedge-laying to hosting guest speakers and renewable energy projects, to campaigning and encouraging sustainable travel into and around the Hope Valley.
There’s no single way to get involved. Some people join a group and lead projects, others prefer to help behind the scenes, offering input as and when they can. Whatever time you have, a little or a lot, we’ll find a way to put it to good use, matched to whichever group speaks to your interests.
Energy — reduce energy and bills (home energy efficiency, insulation, retrofit etc) and produce energy (renewables and battery storage)
Land — hedges, trees, peatland and grassland; helping the Hope Valley sequester more carbon and support more wildlife.
Travel — greener, safer ways to get around the valley, from public transport to active travel.
Get in touch to find out more, email us at info@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
Feedback & ideas
We are always keen to hear about other local action taking place, or listen to your ideas about what to do next. The best ideas for this valley tend to come from the people living in it: a resident who spots a gap, a village group already taking action, a volunteer who thinks a project could work better in a different way.
We’re here to support climate action across the Hope Valley, not just the projects that we deliver. If you’re already doing something in your community, a local growing scheme, a repair café, a school project, anything moving us toward a lower-carbon, more resilient valley, we’d love to hear about it and help however we can, from sharing it with our network to pointing you toward funding or partners.
And if something we’re doing isn’t working, or you can see how it could work better, tell us that too. This valley’s future is shaped together, and that only works if we’re listening.
Email us to share your thoughts, or arrange an informal chat info@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
Local climate action community map
Staying connected through partnerships, peer support and networking is vital to keeping those taking climate action in the Hope Valley motivated and hopeful. We’re working on an interactive map to showcase climate action happening across the valley, whatever form it takes: a community space, local organisation, action group, or individual effort. We’d love to share your efforts and help you connect with others.
If you’re involved in something that should be on the map, or know of a project we might have missed, we’d love to hear from you. Please send as much information as you have to email info@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk.
A few simple ways to support Hope Valley Climate Action
- Follow us on social media, like, share, and comment on our posts. Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn
- Sign up for our HVCA monthly newsletter here
- Sign up for our monthly newsletter — here — for updates on campaigns, events, and ways to get involved
- Come along to an event or talk — no experience or commitment needed, just turn up. See what’s on
- Spread the word — tell a neighbour, friend, or local group about HVCA. Most of our volunteers first heard about us from someone they know
- Try one small swap at home — a reusable cup, a shorter shower, an extra jumper before the heating goes on. Small habits add up, especially across a whole valley
- Walk, cycle, or take the bus for one trip a week — even one short car journey swapped for a greener option each week makes a real dent over a year
- Donate — even a small donation helps us to continue moving forward. Donate here.
Your action, voice and ideas can help make a real difference. Get in touch and get involved:
