Welcome to the Vision 21 website! We are a friendly, lively, independent registered charity which aims to bring public benefit to the wider community of Gloucestershire by advancing aspects of sustainable development which can improve their long-term quality of life and ability to adapt to global issues.

Through a variety of outreach projects that engage and empower the local community, we encourage everyone in Gloucestershire to think about how we can implement changes to make our county a better place to live.

To read our most recent newsletter, please click here.

Vision 21's online calendar

Get involved in local events and play your part in contributing to the community. For up to date events, please click here

Some examples of our current projects
(for more, please click here)

RECLAIM: A community re-use enterprise that collects and redistributes quality household items at affordable prices to those on low incomes, whilst providing work experience opportunities for volunteers to gain skills and confidence.

REPAINT: Run in conjunction with Reclaim. End of line and other surplus paint is collected and made available to community groups, community centres, voluntary groups and people on low incomes. There is no charge for the paint, but donations are gratefully accepted.

CHELTENHAM COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS: A scheme that provides opportunities for volunteers to empower the community of Cheltenham, particularly in areas with restricted access to useful information and facilities. Champions are provided with information on a variety of issues and campaigns and practical projects are developed. 

CHELTENHAM TRANSITION TOWN: This scheme aims to build local resilience and co-operation as a practical and creative community response to global sustainability issues.
The Transition Network aims to inspire, support, and train communities in exploring the transition from dependence on unsustainable behaviours to re-localised economies. 

CHELTENHAM VOLUNTARY & COMMUNITY SECTOR PARTNERSHIP: Vision 21 has been selected by the Low Carbon Partnership to help them deliver carbon reductions amongst the Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations. By helping voluntary and community sector organisations save energy and money, we allow them to spend their funds more efficiently on serving those in need of their work. 

Recent News

The new Government has announced major changes to the UK planning system to give more power to communities. The Regional Spatial Strategy was scrapped and councils can now establish their own needs locally. The Joint Core Strategy (JCS) is a partnership between the councils of Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury. The JCS will identify the key issues facing the region in order to set out a vision and strategy for tackling them. Once adopted the strategy will be used to determine planning applications, help deliver sustainable community strategies, and influence other plans and programmes of key providers.

As part of the ongoing consultation process, you are invited to make comments on the draft 'Part 1' of the Joint Core Strategy. This includes:

- A 'spatial portrait' of the JCS area;
- A summary of the key issues faced by the area;
- A vision for how the JCS area could be on 2026; and
- Strategic objectives that must be filfilled to achieve the vision.

To view Part 1 of the JCS and to make comments, please click here.

  Vision 21 is partnering with Tewkesbury Count Me In  - a government-funded scheme promoting healthy living in the town. The project is centred around making Tewkesbury a healthier place to live and to encourage all ages to take part in a positive lifestyle change in the community. For more information, please visit www.countmeintewkesbury.com

 Cheltenham Borough Council's Low Carbon Partnership has funded the role of an Energy Efficiency Worker  for the town, to support Community and Voluntary Sector organisations. The project, which offers free, practical, support and advice to organisations, started in April 2010 and is also in partnership with Cheltenham VCA. The project will run for two years.  For more information / to book a visit please email Mike Bush mbush@vision21.org.uk or call 01242 224321.

FREE support for Cheltenham and Gloucester businesses. The advisors are available until mid September 2010, to visit businesses and make suggestions on how to implement changes that will save money and reduce impact on the environment. To arrange a visit or for more information please contact Tom Mabbett at tmabbett@vision21.org.uk or Emmy Magee at emagee@vision21.org.uk

10:10:10! On 10th October 2010, thousands of individuals, families, schools, businesses, and other organisations will take simple steps to save energy and reduce emissions. These ordinary actions combined with a series of promoted events will make an extraordinary difference. Not only will they cut carbon directly, they'll also send a powerful message to world leaders that people and organisations everywhere are ready to tackle climate change. For ideas on how to get involved, please visit the 10:10 website.

 Check out our seasonal recipes! Our recipes will be updated each month to include in-season food from local producers!

Office to let at Vision 21's central Cheltenham office. Contact the office for more info.

Meeting room to hire at Vision 21's central Cheltenham office. Click here

Read Vision 21's Report on Community Supported Agriculture. Click here

For other news read on .......

Press Releases and Coverage

View our recent press releases and press coverage

Past Events

View our list of activities from July 08 - August 09
View our list of activities from October 07 - July 08
View our list of activities from September 06 - September 07

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