my community channel

Community Channel are showing a brand new conservation documentary, Spring into Action, to mark the launch of BTCV’s environmental campaign, to help make a difference to local environments. Championed by Charlie Dimmock, the documentary will feature a day in the life of four people who are new to conservation and keen to develop skills that will help them do their bit to save the planet and have some fun.

The documentary, developed by Media Trust Productions with the support of Prudential plc and PRUPIM, the real estate investment arm of Prudential will be shown on Friday 4th May at 3pm and 9pm (repeated on Saturday 5th May at 8am, 2pm, 8pm and Sunday 6th May at 8.30am, 2.30pm and 8.30pm).

Charlie Dimmock praises the project: “If you want to help your environment, locally is a great place to start. I welcome the Community Channel’s screening of the film Spring into Action. It embodies the positive spirit of getting involved in conservation and I would like to congratulate Lizzie, Mike, Raja and Karen, and the many other BTCV volunteers who make an outstanding contribution to the environment and improve the life of people across the UK. The Spring into Action campaign has events near to everyone in the UK so do join in!”

During the documentary, each person has a variety of reasons for pitching in, but what unites them is a commitment to environmental conservation on both a global and local level. We see them in action at a variety of BTCV conservation projects around the country.

Mike Hughes is a council worker from Manchester who since conquering his dyslexia has the confidence to learn new skills. Mike says: “After 30 years on the wagons, I still love the outdoors and enjoy physical work. Making new friends are some of the benefits of getting involved.”

Lizzie Emeh is a budding singer / song writer from London who has never let her learning difficulties hold her back and is determined to do her bit to help the environment. Lizzie said: “I feel very strongly about the environment and excited that by doing something with my friends I can learn new skills and do something about climate change before it’s too late.”

Karen Kwok is keen to reconnect with nature and use her skills to aid conservation. Karen said: “I feel strongly about wildlife but feel disconnected from nature. I am ready to get stuck in, love working in a team and making things happen.”

Raja Miah is from Manchester. A key member of the local Bangladeshi community he is committed to interfaith green volunteering in a bid to save the planet for all. Raja said: “This is a great way to get everyone in the community coming together to save our environment.”

Tom Flood, Chief Executive, BTCV, says: "This year’s Spring into Action campaign will build on the outstanding success of last year’s events. Concern about environmental damage has never been higher, and this is a great way to work together to restore and improve our local spaces to the benefit of all. People who get involved find the experience hugely rewarding and helping your local environment can make a real difference to you and your community. You can gain new skills, meet others from different backgrounds and make new friends. This is highlighted in Spring into Action, which is being distributed as a DVD to conservation groups across the country.”

Sir David Attenborough, a vice president of the charity, says: "I am proud to be a BTCV supporter because I know that 'thinking globally and acting locally' is one of the keys to our future. With climate change now an increasing threat, everyone has a responsibility to change their behaviour and their attitudes, but sometimes it is difficult to know where to start.

“The wonderful thing about BTCV is that it gives people practical opportunities to get involved in looking after their local area, and this opens the door to broader environmental awareness and action.” 

The documentary discovers the motivation behind getting involved and what the four volunteers gained from the whole experience, as well as looking at the overall aims of the nationwide campaign to get over 15,000 people involved in looking after their local wildlife and green spaces.  With over 1,000 events from

1st May through to 7th June, including local roadshows, Spring into Action will offer anyone the chance to try their hand at an array of activities ranging from wildlife gardening to dry stone-walling.  
Ends

For information on how you can get involved in saving the environment call 08000 681 800, or for a Cantonese and Mandarin speaker call 0845 122 866, or a Sylheti/Bengali speaker 0800 093 1444, or for an Urdu speaker 0800 093 1118.

The film can also be seen online at : www.communitychannel.org/springintoaction on city centre screens and at the regional roadshows around the country – see website for details.

For further information/interviews/photographs:
Helen Mitchell, PR Manager, BTCV T: 01491 821612  
E: h.mitchell@btcv.org.uk
Or Kerry Nixon, Customer Services, BTCV T: 01302 388883 
E: k.nixon@btcv.org.uk
Rachel Lailey, Press Officer, Community Channel, T: 0207 784 7908
E: Rachell@communitychannel.org

Notes to editors

About Community Channel
Community Channel is TV that gives a damn. It makes you think again about the world around you, and inspires you to take action on the causes and issues that matter to you. Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme makers; Community Channel is the place for real-life stories. The channel is broadcast 24 hours a day, every day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233, from 6-9am on Freeview 87. The channel is freely available to around 45 million people in 18.2 million homes across the country and around 1.2 million people watch every month (BARB). Community Channel is a Media Trust initiative.
www.communitychannel.org

About BTCV
Inspiring People, Improving Places.  BTCV is the UK’s leading practical conservation charity.  BTCV connects people with place, builds healthy, sustainable communities, and increases people’s life skills.  It aims to create a better environment where people from all cultures feel valued, included and involved.  BTCV supports 140,000 volunteers a year taking hands-on action to improve their urban and rural environments, and a Community Network supports local groups.  BTCV offers regular conservation tasks, UK and International Conservation Holidays, the BTCV Green Gym®, training opportunities and an on-line Shop making products and services accessible to all.
Tel: 01302 388 883  Email: information@btcv.org.uk  www.btcv.org

About Prudential
Prudential plc, a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in the United Kingdom, and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world's leading financial services groups. It provides insurance and financial services directly and through its subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the world. It has been in existence for over 150 years and has £238 billion in assets under management, as at 30 June 2006. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America.
www.prudential.co.uk
        
About PRUPIM
PRUPIM is one of the leading real estate investment managers in the United Kingdom, managing over £18 billion of assets in a broad spread of properties both in the UK and overseas (as at 31.07.06 ). It forms part of M&G, the investment arm of Prudential plc in the UK and Europe. PRUPIM’s community investment strategy is aligned to Prudential plc’s approach to corporate responsibility and its commitment to supporting the local communities where it operates. PRUPIM’s community programme also recognises the significance of its role as a landlord in many towns and cities throughout the UK and its community activities focus on: community safety, economic regeneration and social inclusion, environment and employee volunteering.
www.prupim.com