Words by Hema Chumber

The Community Environmental Trust (CET) was set up in the early 1990s as part of the wider Castle Vale regeneration project, which aimed to improve housing and create job opportunities for local people.
CET’s role was to focus on environmental issues and make sure they were addressed alongside other developments.
Today, CET remains active in Castle Vale, running a range of environmental programmes that get local residents involved in looking after green spaces and making the area more sustainable.
The Trust provides volunteering opportunities, education, and outdoor activities, helping people get more connected to their community.

One of CET’s key projects is the Community Garden at the Castle Vale Allotments. The garden offers local residents a chance to learn about gardening and food-growing, while providing space for people to grow their own food and meet others.
CET also manages the Community Orchard in partnership with Castle Vale Allotments, Fruit and Nut Village, and Slow Food. The orchard has 29 fruit trees, including apples, pears, and plums, providing fresh produce for the community.
Alongside the gardening programmes, the charity hosts water sports sessions at a nearby canal, offering kayaking and bell-boating. Special sessions will be held over the February half term (18 – 21 February), with free kayaking at 12pm and bell-boating at 10am each day. These activities are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages.

Stuart Connolly, Paddle Sport Instructor at CET, said: “We think it’s really important to encourage people in the community, of all ages, to spend some time outside, away from screens, and really connect with the nature around them.”
He adds: “The water sport activities we run here offer that helping hand to people, by getting them out in the fresh air, and connecting with their neighbours and friends in the area – it’s also good to to meet new people, and build new friendships.”
A service user, who participates in CET’s water sports sessions, further told: “Due to lower body issues, I thought I could never get in and out of a boat. But now I’m absolutely enchanted, along with physical support from the staff at CET.”

They add: “The bell-boats cannot tip over or sink, and you really can’t fall out unless you’re doing something completely unadvisable, so it’s absolutely safe for everybody. On the boat, we just paddle and have a laugh.
“We also do litter picking. These are very community-minded activities, and I can’t recommend them enough. It’s good for the body, the soul, the spirit, and the environment.”
Through its work, CET continues to have an impact on both the local environment and the community. By offering opportunities for volunteering, outdoor activities, and environmental care, CET plays a role in building a stronger, more connected community in Castle Vale.
For those interested in getting involved, further information can be found at www.environmentaltrust.org.uk or on CET’s Facebook page @CETBrum
For more on the CET water sports activities contact Stuart Connolly at [email protected]
For all other CET enquiries contact Alicia Grande at [email protected]
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]