Join the Community Network - FREE in 2019

All around the UK, more people than ever before are getting together in community groups to improve their local environments.

Join them now to take advantage of a dedicated support website, competitively-priced insurance, discounts from TCV's suppliers of tools, trees, seeds and equipment, funding information, access to grants and much, much more!

We offer all you need to make your work safe, effective and enjoyable.

Whether you're experts or just thinking about getting involved in environmental activities and need to know where to start, we can give you a helping hand to turn your vision into reality.

Join the Community Network FREE in Celebration of our 60th Anniversary!

In celebration of TCV’s 60th Anniversary in 2019 and, thanks to the generous support of players of People's Postcode Lottery, we are delighted to offer your group Community Network Membership free of charge for one year starting from the date of your subscription in 2019.

Rest assured, we will write to you as your membership comes up for renewal. Annual Community Network membership is ordinarily £38 per year.

For new groups that are not currently members

Online application form

For groups wishing to renew their membership

Membership renewal form

Membership benefits

Membership of the Network is open to all community groups, clubs, schools or local organisation wanting to work for a better environment.

Your annual membership (usually £38 per year but free in 2019) entitles you to the following:

• Discounted public liability and personal accident insurance, which is essential for groups carrying out practical tasks
• Exclusive access to TCV’s Community Network website; created to provide our Community Network Members with the support they need in one, easy to access, place.
• A range of specially negotiated discounts from TCV's suppliers of tools, trees, seeds and equipment.
• Funding Support – TCV can help groups find funding with information from Grantfinder or through the Chestnut Fund
• Discounted access to our online conservation handbooks - the definitive guides to managing the countryside and green spaces.
• Support and guidance covering a range of topics - from Health and Safety to planting a wildflower meadow.
• Optional free listing of your contact details and web address on The Conservation Volunteers website
• The Community Hub, which allows you to keep a membership database, record details of your work and the sites you improve, email your members, and create reports to celebrate achievements.

Community Network leaflet

The Chestnut Fund - grants for conservation

The Chestnut Fund is an independent charity, making grants available to encourage and enable community groups to carry out conservation activities. The grants are administered by TCV.

The grants fall into two categories:

Start-up grants

These are for groups who have no money when they are first set up and are available to groups in their first year of existence. The grant will enable them to begin practical work and will cover administrative expenses, e.g. postage, publicity, hire of meeting rooms, telephone bills and/or the first year of The Conservation Volunteers Community Network Membership plus Insurance fees. The maximum grant will be £150.

Support grants

These are for groups who have no money for tools, equipment and training. Preference will be given to resources selected from The Conservation Volunteers sources. This grant is available to all groups, regardless of how long they have been constituted. (Groups within their first year can apply for both the start-up grant and the support grant). The maximum grant will be £350.

Application Forms

• The Chestnut Fund application form (includes the application criteria)
• Also available from our Community Network Administrator on 01302 388 828 or local-groups@tcv.org.uk

The Chestnut Fund committee meets every 6 weeks to discuss new applications.