Links
Partner Organisations
Voluntary Sector Training Alliance (ViSTA)
ViSTA is committed to providing high quality services that enable the voluntary & community sector to engage more effectively in education, training and personal development for the benefit of the individuals and the communities that they serve.
Somerset Towns Forum is hosted by ViSTA, and work closely with them on developing training opportunities.
Somerset County Council
STF has worked closely with Somerset County Council Officers, primarily from the Economy & Europe Team. SCC are the accountable body for two LARC (Local Action in Rural Communities) areas in Somerset.
South West England Regional Development Agency (SWERDA)
The Coalition Government has decided to close most RDA's. Some of the RDA functions will be taken on by sub-regional Local Enterprise Partnerships.
Other County Fora in the South West of England
Dorset Towns Forum
Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum
Wiltshire Forum of Community Area Partnerships
Organisations & Projects
Somerset Community Food
Somerset Community Food, is a grass-roots charity in Somerset which aims to re-connect people with the social, health and environmental effects of growing, buying, preparing and eating local food.
Currently, their main project, Somerset Land and Food, aims to bring more land into production for community based growing projects.
Campaign to Protect Rural England
"We campaign for a sustainable future for the English countryside, a vital but undervalued environmental, economic and social asset to the nation. We highlight threats and promote positive solutions."
Sustainability South-West
Sustainability South West (SSW) is the independent Champion Body for sustainable development in the South West of England. They are an awareness raising and advisory charity supporting action on sustainability.
'Whether you're a business, public body, voluntary group or simply live, work or holiday in the region, we can provide information and tools to help you make the most of a sustainable approach'.
Others
Better Places
Centre for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE) - www.cabe.org.uk Government's advisor on all things built. Some great publications inc case studies on design quality and the importance of successful public spaces. Though funding from the Government ends on 31st March, the website remains active.
Traffic and Transport
Living Streets - http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/ Useful site with tips on action (such as organising & promoting Walking to School & how to campaign for 20mph zones) and policy background
Campaign for Better Transport - http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/
Government Office South West
Business Link
Rural Enterprise Gateway
South West Forum
Blackdown Hills AONB
Mendip Hills AONB
English Historic Towns Forum
Useful Info
Weather for the South-West of England