Cumbria Sustainability Network
Sustainable Staveley (SENS)
SENS was formed in November 2007 to promote action on sustainability in Staveley, by looking at ways to reduce home energy use, explore the potential for community renewables, promote cycling and walking, and raise awareness of the climate and biodiversity crises we face. The 2015 floods brought (climate) chaos to the village and since then we have seen episodes of extreme weather every year.
The objectives of the group are to reduce human impact on ecology, to increase the use of alternative fuel and power sources in the area and to raise greater awareness of ecological, Fair Trade and sustainability issues via their newsletter and website, social media and by providing practical opportunities to learn and take action.
Recent campaigns and projects:
- In 2022, the group launched a community e-bike hire scheme, which provides two e-bikes in Staveley Mill Yard for community use. In 2023 this scheme had been celebrated in print and TV media including coverage on regional BBC and Border News, BBC Countryfile and in the Westmoreland Gazette Find out more >
- The Clean River Kent Campaign, which aims to raise awareness and take action on the poor water quality of the River Kent. Clean River Kent Campaign
- A community orchard project Damson orchard – SENS – Sustainability and Energy Network in Staveley
- A pop up Skills and Repair café, which enables the community to come together and ensures a variety of household items, clothes and other possessions can extend their working life Skills & Repair Café – SENS – Sustainability and Energy Network in Staveley
- In 2024, we received a Climate and Nature Partnership Grant from Westmorland & Furness Council, in partnership with Staveley with Ings Parish Council. This will allow us to move forward with lots of important plans, from designating and improving green spaces around the Parish, to working with young people and doing a feasibility study on introducing more local transport options.
- To view our published poster, which provides more details about our objectives for this grant Click here
Connect with the group via its website, www.sustainablestaveley.org.uk, where you can also sign up to the group’s mailing list for meetings. As part of the Clean River Kent campaign, SENS is also looking for volunteers to attend meetings, assist with survey work and water quality monitoring, organise clean-ups, highlight pollution incidents, campaign for bathing water designation and various other activities to protect the River Kent.
SENS runs a monthly informal discussion session around what they would like to do in the village to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. It holds various other events throughout the year. See its website for details.
