Overarching objectives

To promote for the public benefit in Tenterden (Kent) and the surrounding area, the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources by reducing carbon emissions and other sources of environmental degradation. To pursue this in particular by means of the following: a) engaging the community and providing focused enabling information; b) working with local schools to foster an understanding of actions that benefit nature which surrounds us; providing community services to facilitate re-use, repair, re-purposing, and recycling as appropriate; c) The provision and support of community resource sharing.

Implicit commitment

Sustainable Tenterden is non-partisan.

Vision

We create projects that move Tenterden towards a more resilient and sustainable future for the benefit of the whole community.

Mission

We enable our local community to live more sustainably through our practical, educational and engaging initiatives.

Values

We make a difference

We focus our energy and capacity on practical projects that are helpful and enabling for families and individuals in our community and surrounding area. Our projects are designed to benefit people and the environment together.

We respect each other

We recognise and value each other’s skills, expertise and experience. Our respect for each other builds an inclusive, non-judgmental and cooperative environment in which to develop our projects.

We are collaborative

We support each other and are keen to develop networks with other groups, organisations and individuals who share our aims. Collaborating with others allows us to work in new and creative ways, extending what we do.

Core initiatives:

• Building the capacity of the charity (recruitment & funding)

• Repair Cafe

• Junior Repair initiatives

• School assemblies

• Initiatives for future consideration:

• Green Fun Day 2.0

• Library of Things

Messaging & Tone of Voice

Our established tone of voice is enabling, inclusive, engaging and friendly.

While sustainability is our core value and is in our name, it is not a word we lead with in our public-facing communications. We can mention sustainability, but we need to present it as an outcome, benefiting the environment while at the same time benefiting people.

Why?

We need to meet people where they are, often in the midst of busy lives with limited time, money and energy. We want to position our initiatives as helpful enablers in the community.

1. Community benefit first

Our repair cafe is a shining example of this - providing a free, valuable service for the community. We lead with a message of helping people easily fix their belongings for free, positioning us as a valuable service provider to the community. The environmental impact is a natural outcome.

2. We speak to people’s priorities

People don’t tend to change habits for abstract environmental reasons, but they do for tangible personal benefits. An effective motivator is saving money (or, on the flip side, highlighting where it is being wasted).

Tone of voice & messaging examples:

Don’ts

‘Be more green, be more responsible- use the Tenterden Repair Cafe to reduce your waste. You don’t have to book. We are open on the first Saturday of every month. We accept cash and online donations.’

Don’t use a judgmental tone that suggests people aren’t trying enough. Make it overly complicated with too much detail.

Dos

‘Pop in for tea, cake and free repairs’

Make it easy and a nice experience. Use simple language and appeal to what people want - a free service, a nice time, hassle-free - just pop in.