Community Action Toolkit

Report a street problem

One fault, one public report number, one chase path.

This week · First win: FixMyStreet (or council) reference saved with date and photo

Lighting / safety — micro start

One route, a few photos, then decide whether to go further.

30–60 min · First win: Dark-route note or 2–3 photos taken and saved

Litter-picking / clean-up group

One street, one date, bags collected.

1–2 weeks · First win: First clean-up date set + bag collection requested

Report & chase fly-tipping

Report, keep refs, chase patterns.

1–4 weeks · First win: Reports logged + service reference numbers kept

Support for older / isolated people

Find what exists, make one contact, share the option.

2–6 weeks · First win: Local befriending, shed, or café contacted

Write one clear ask to representatives

One ask, right people, paper trail.

30–60 min · First win: Polite message sent to the right people + date and copy saved

Campaign for lighting / safety

Evidence pack → formal ask → chase → verify.

2–6 weeks (follow-through up to ~12 weeks) · First win: Dark-route photo pack + one-page ask sent to all ward councillors

Form a residents’ association

Three people, one aim, first win, then decide how formal to get.

1–3 months to a working small group · First win: Three people agreed + one aim written + first Easy action chosen

Youth activity or mentoring

Partner first, then one safe session idea.

1–2 months · First win: Partner organisation spoken to + one safe session idea written

Food larder / mutual aid (partner first)

Map what exists, contact one provider, share accurate info.

2–6 weeks · First win: Existing provider contacted before inventing a new one

School-gate / parent action

One issue, a few parents, one contact.

2–6 weeks · First win: Parents agreed one ask + school or councillor contact made

Community garden or food project

Check existing gardens, then meet and seek permission.

1–3 months · First win: Site/partner shortlist + first meeting held

Revive or support a community council

Find them, attend once, decide how to engage.

1–3 months · First win: Meeting attended + next step decided

Community asset opportunity

Name the need, find the owner, map a path, get advice early.

6–18 months · First win: Asset identified + ownership or use path mapped

Mental health / peer support

Partner, ground rules, safeguarding — not solo therapy.

2–4 months · First win: Safe partner organisation + ground rules drafted