A charity is empowering people to make positive changes in their local area thanks to a virtual training camp.

The Eden Project Community Camp is free-to-attend and is open anyone who wants to organise local community projects. The next session will take place online over two days, from 1-2 October, covering topics such as confidence building and ways to connect with local networks, alongside other interactive sessions and inspiring speakers.

The initiative comes off the back of research earlier this year which revealed that nearly half (45%) of people have a hunger to do more for their local community, as a result of the pandemic. The virtual camp organisers are keen to keep the community spirit alive, recognising there has been a tailing off in interest since the start of the pandemic, when lots of people were volunteering their time.

Several inspiring local projects have already been birthed thanks to the training organised by the Eden Project. One such person is Helen Alves from Buckinghamshire who set up a weekly group to combat financial hardship and loneliness among young families in the area.

The meetings allow parents to socialise and redistribute items such as school uniforms, toys and other clothes, and has also resulted in a summer holiday programme attracting more than 100 people.

Helen said:

Attending Community Camp was so inspiring! It gave me confidence and strengthened my resolve to start this project.

The organisers say that Helen was one of 1,600 people who have been inspired to start more than 1,000 local community initiatives.

Tracey Robbins, Head of Eden Project Communities UK Delivery, said:

For many of us around the country, the pandemic resulted in more time spent with our neighbours and local communities than ever before, but we also found ourselves lonelier and more isolated. That’s why we’re keen to welcome to camp people who want to begin to grow the connections they’ve made, whether that’s meant hosting online coffee mornings during the pandemic, setting up a neighbourhood contact group, or even taking part in your first Big Lunch.

For more information on how to sign up for Community Camp visit: www.edenprojectcommunities.com

Image by The Even Project