Resources
Sharing success through case studies
We collect information about what local groups are up to from their newsletters and websites, and of course through general day to day contact with group members. You can also find out what other groups are up to by following us on Twitter or by viewing the News or the Civic Voice Blog section, and never forget to download our 101 Civic Ideas if you are looking for a new idea for your community group.Â
If you are looking for examples of community participation in development, you should check out the Civic Voice Design Awards section of the website, which is full of examples of buildings, places and spaces that are loved by local people,
We also encourage you to visit case studies on Historic England's website focusing on conservation areas throughout England's nine regions.
If you want help in establishing a new project, contact us here and we will put you in touch with a civic society who will be prepared to offer additional guidance and advice.
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Air pollution: being tackled in Canterbury
‘Turn off those engines: save money and keep healthy’.
This was the headline for a Canterbury Society initiative which aimed to get people to turn off their car engines whilst waiting at the level crossings in St Dunstan’s Street and Sturry. Read more here.
Asset of Community Value - Melbourne Civic Society -
Read how Melbourne Civic Society is involved in nominating Assets of Community Value. Read here.
Asset of Community Value - Wokingham Society - Listing our Town Hall as an Asset of Community Value
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Buildings at Risk YHACS taking an active role in helping to draw attention to the buildings
During 2012, YHACS helped local societies take an active role in helping to draw attention to the buildings at risk within the Yorkshire and Humber area.
As a supplement to the buildings that are in English Heritage's 'Heritage at Risk' Register we have begun our own survey of buildings in the region that our member Societies consider to be at risk and which may not be receiving the attention and care they deserve.
This will be reviewed in 2018.
Buildings at Risk: - Empty buildings in Halifax put our heritage in danger
This briefing tells the story of Halifax Civic Trust and an audit they undertook to assess a growing problem of empty buildings in Halifax.
Click here to read this success story.
Buildings at Risk: Bradford’s 10 buildings with the biggest potential identified by Bradford
Bradford's 10 buildings with the biggest potential to act as a catalyst for regeneration identified by Bradford Civic Society
Buildings at Risk: Competition to find new uses for Birmingham’s most ‘at risk’ buildings
A competition was launched by Birmingham Civic Society in 2014 to find new ways of using some of Birmingham’s most at-risk buildings.
Buildings at Risk: Leeds Civic Trust volunteers survey 3,300 Leeds ‘Buildings at Risk’
Leeds Civic Trust volunteers survey 3,300 Leeds ‘Buildings at Risk’. Click here to read more.
Buildings at Risk:- Empty buildings - Kings Lynn Civic Society
This briefing tells the story of Kings Lynn Civic Society’s campaign to bring empty buildings back into use in Kings Lynn conservation area.
Click here to read this success story.
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Campaigning tips
Click here for 20 effective campaigning tips.
Civic Day Award Winners 2017
Civic Day Award Winners 2017 available to download here.
Conservation Area: Assessing the condition of Nantwich conservation area
Click here to read this success story
Conservation Areas: Altrincham protecting conservation areas for Civic Day 2017
On Civic Day 2017 Hannah’s video had center stage on our town center stall, playing continuously. The video helped to start many conversations on how Altrincham can protect their heritage.
Conservation Areas: Deal Society - Conservation Area Led Appraisal
Click here to read how The Deal Society leading the way in community led conservation appraisals
Conservation Areas: Dronfield Civic Society Conservation Leaflet
To help with celebrating the local conservation area, Dronfield Civic Society has published a new leaflet, "Conservation Conversation" with funding supported from IHBC. View the leaflet here.
Conservation Areas: Highgate Society Conservation Area Leaflet
To help with celebrating the local conservation area, the Highgate Society published a new leaflet, with funding supported from IHBC. View the leaflet here.
Conservation Areas: Ilkley Civic Society Conservation Area Leaflet
Download the Ilkley Civic Society Conservation Area Leaflet produced for Civic Day 2017 here.
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Design award with a difference
Click here to read about Merseyside Civic Society's design award with a difference
Design Awards: Civic Voice Design Awards 2016 Brochure
Download the Civic Voice Design Awards 2016 Brochure here and see a series of case studies of communities supporting development across England. More on the Civic Voice Design Awards here.
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Fundraising and Income: Focus on fundraising
Click here to read a briefing on fundraising
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Litter pick - Oxford Civic Society
Click here to read this success story
Local Heritage List - How we listed our local heritage assets - Marple Civic Society
Local Heritage List campaign: Peterborough Local List of Important Buildings
Click here to read this case study.
Local Heritage List campaign: Sevenoaks Society explain how they championed a Local Heritage List
Sevenoaks Society explain how they championed a Local Heritage List. Read more here.
Local Heritage List campaign: Wandsworth groups use Placecheck
Amenity societies in the London Borough of Wandsworth have helped to update the borough’s local list with the help of a customized version of the Placecheck app.
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Marketing and Promotion: Raising your profile in the media
The local media could be your greatest ally. Media support is vital in attracting attention to your event or programme. Read our briefing on the subject here.
Marsh Civic Award - Kevin Trickett Individual Award winner 2013
Read here why Kevin Trickett, Wakefield was the Marsh Civic Award winner for an individual in 2013
Marsh Civic Award 2013 - Addingham Civic Society
Read here why the Addingham Civic Society were Marsh Award winners in 2013
Marsh Civic Award 2013 - Ramsgate Civic Society
Read here why the Ramsgate Civic Society were Marsh Award winners in 2013
Membership Development: Focus on membership
Membership – some tips to think about when looking to recruit, sustain and grow your support. Read more here.
Membership Development: Recruiting new members and our approach - Marple Civic Society
Click here to read how the Marple Civic Society utilised the Electoral Register to their full advantage.
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Photograph competition - Bradford Civic Society
Click here to read this success story
Photograph competition - Ripon Civic Society
Click here to read this success story
Photograph Competition: Picture Perfect Pontefract
Following the success of their 2017 calendar of locally taken photographs, Pontefract Civic Society has held this year’s competition for the Pontefract 2018 calendar, and the shots are stunning. Read more here.
Place Improvement Strategy Cockermouth Rescue - Cockermouth Civic Trust
A demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations like Cockermouth Civic Trust work well with the relevant local authorities and elected bodies. Click here to read this case study
Place Improvement Strategy: A vision for Canterbury
Civic Voice is calling for Place Improvement Strategies in our manifesto. Click here to read how The Canterbury Society are putting forward an alternative vison for Canterbury.
Place Improvement Strategy: A vision for Herefordshire
Civic Voice is calling for Place Improvement Strategies in our manifesto.
Hereford Civic Society has released its proposal for a 'Herefordshire City' which it sees as an improvement to the Local Plan which is Herefordshire Council's guide to development in the county over the next 20 years.
Place Improvement Strategy: A Vision for Marple
Following discussions with many local groups and societies, Marple Civic Society put together a "Vision for Marple".
Read more about the process and story of A Vision for Marple
Place Improvement Strategy: Vision for Paddington Place unveiled
Westminster city council wants to allow architect, Renzo Piano, to erect a 19-storey glass cube in a conservation area directly overlooking Paddington station The proposals entail the complete loss of the existing handsome building and would cause 'substantial harm' to the setting of nearby listed buildings and the conservation area.
A consensus Vision for a new “Covent Garden style” urban neighbourhood for Paddington Pole was developed over a Community Planning Weekend between Civic Voice and JTP.
Placecheck in Lytham
People in the Ansdell area of the seaside town of Lytham St Anne’s in Lancashire carried out a Placecheck to find out how to protect the quality of their delightful residential streets.
Placecheck in Marple, Greater Manchester
People in Marple came together to ask "What do we like? What don't we like? and What can we improve?".
Public participation in Planning: Seminars held by Farnborough, Fleet and Yateley civic groups
Three local civic societies to join forces to hold a series of three seminars for members of the public interested in knowing more about the planning process and how to best engage in the public participation increasingly encouraged by legislation.
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Schools - A briefing on contacting schools
Click here to read a briefing by Civic Voice on how to succesfully work with local schools.
Schools - Portsmouth Society
Click here to read how The Portsmouth Society managed to succesfully work with local schools.
Schools: Essay writing competition
Click here to read how Buntingford Civic Society used a school essay competition to help engage with a younger audience.
Social media in the Civic movement
Power of social media in the Civic movement. A presentation to civic societies. Download here.
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The Civic Movement – promoting civic pride and celebrating the places where we live 2014
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War Memorial - Ynyr Owen undertaking condition surveys
War Memorial - Read how Ynyr Owen undertaking condition surveys
War Memorials - Marple Civic Society Case Study
Read how Marple Civic Society is involved in the national war memorials campaign. Read here.