Wellingborough Eco Group

Wellingborough Eco Group was set up to help protect
and improve our borough’s environment and care for
nature, to reduce, reuse, repair and recycle items that
would otherwise end up in landfill, and to help local
people reduce their carbon footprints.

Our base is at Eco Hub, Glamis Hall, Wellingborough NN8 3RU.
We started as a community group in 2019, and with a
growing demand for our services, we became a
Community Interest Company in December 2024.


The group is open to everyone and aims to collaborate
with local councillors, businesses and other community
organisations. Our current projects include:
Repair Café which is held once a month where people
can bring along all sorts of broken items and our
volunteer repairers will do their best to fix them.
Swap Shops held twice a week where people can bring
clothes or household items they don’t want, to swap for
other things they need. Alternatively they can give a
small donation for items they want.
Litter Picking Events on the last Saturday of the month
where we clear up a different area each time. We also
work with Wellie Wombles.
Sew Social, a sewing and crafts group which meets
once a week to work on their own or collaborative
projects.
Food Sharers held twice a week (usually at the same
times as Swap Shop) where people can take food,
rescued from local supermarkets, for free or a small
donation if they can afford it.
School Uniform Bank where anyone can donate
outgrown school uniforms for others to take.
Happy Café, which usually takes place the same time as
Swap Shop and Food Sharers, where anyone can come
along for a chat and get a hot drink and a meal.
Replay Games, which takes place one evening a week
where anyone can meet to play board games or old
computer games.
Tree Planting in the parks around Wellingborough, which
is organised during the winter months in conjunction
with North Northants Council.
Tiny Forests, which we have worked on jointly with other
organisations. This is a Japanese method of creating a
small native woodland very quickly. It can be used for
educational purposes, as well as to enhance the
environment and sequester carbon dioxide.
Community Allotment which holds working parties once
a week to allow anyone to learn to grow vegetables and
other plants and which also incorporates a small tree
nursery.
Green Drinks once a month, in a local pub, to socialise
and discuss environmental issues.
Nature Rangers group which collaborates with other
organisations to help to give plants, trees, birds, insects
and animals a chance to thrive by restoring habitats and
by caring for our wild creatures.
These are our current projects, but where we can, we try
to take any opportunities to protect our local
environment and help the community, so our activities
will change and expand over time.

C2C Social Action

C2C Social Action inspires, motivates and supports people at risk or involved in the criminal justice system, to move away from crime, addiction, homelessness and set firmer foundations in life to enable them to thrive. We do this through 1-1 and group support across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. 

Our projects include women’s centres in Northampton, Kettering and Milton Keynes, and allotment garden in Northampton, supported accommodation for males and bespoke support for men and women receiving community orders in MK.

All of C2C’s projects deliver person centred and trauma informed support and strive to bring about long-lasting changes that impact on individuals, their families and society as a whole.

More information can be found at C2C Social Action | Northampton | Milton Keynes | Kettering

Kettering Nature Group

Kettering Nature Group is a grassroots organisation dedicated to inspiring an upsurge in local conservation. We connect communities with nature through citizen science, biodiversity recording, and educational initiatives, working with schools, local groups, and residents across Kettering. Our projects focus on hands-on conservation, from creating wildlife habitats to running public events like the Festival of Nature, all aimed at making nature accessible and engaging for everyone.

Kettering Street Art

Kettering Street Art CIC believe that Art should be for everyone and can be anywhere.

We aim to bring a smile to the streets by engaging artists to install public artworks – benefitting those who live in, work in or pass through Kettering and its surrounding areas.

In taking this care of our surroundings we hope to inspire civic pride and nurture the wellbeing of the community by helping people to love where they live.

We encourage local artists to become part of our network, linking them up with opportunities to showcase their work and learn from cross-peer support.

By holding workshops with local schools & organisations, we want to share our artistic practise; encourage engagement with new skills and inspire creative thinking.

Wherever possible we will encourage participation in the design & execution of individual public artworks.

We aim to consult with the residents living or working close to each artwork site, to gather ideas on themes and feedback on artist styles. We encourage the inclusion of local historical knowledge in the artworks that our artists design and recognise the importance of preserving and celebrating these moments for civic pride.

https://www.instagram.com/ketteringstreetart

https://www.facebook.com/p/Kettering-Street-Art-61560832694460/

ketteringstreetart@gmail.com

Boards of Kettering

Boards of Kettering CIC exists to share Gavin Price, Dez Dell and Polly Shackleton’s love of board games with the wider community.

In 2019 Boards of Kettering started to retail modern board games in Ketterings’ The Bean Hive. Since 2021 we have hosted a monthly board game cafe night at Youth Works Keystone Centre and in 2024 we organised the first annual Northants Board Game Convention at Kettering Arts Centre.

We have now registered Boards of Kettering as a CIC to use modern board games as educational tools to teach skills and promote wellbeing through play to young people in schools, youth clubs and other settings.

The Kindful

At The Kindful, we envision a world where kindness and collaboration create thriving communities. Our mission is to empower organizations with evidence-based, person-adaptive mental health education that equips individuals with emotional awareness and practical skills. By widening access to knowledge and fostering understanding, we help people take better care of themselves and each other.

This is Susan, the founder of a new social enterprise focused on mental health education. With years of experience as a project coach and a long personal journey with mindfulness, she has learnt to develop emotional awareness and connect more deeply with herself and others.

Susan herself is a neurodivergent individual, so has faced challenges like overwhelm and difficulty recognizing emotions, but mindfulness and emotional awareness have transformed how she cares for myself and build relationships.

She has recently earned a master’s in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), an evidence-based approach recommended by NICE for workplace mental health support. Her goal is to make emotional awareness and attention skills accessible to everyone by offering practical, adaptable education tailored to individual and organizational needs.

She believes in welcoming our whole selves as we are, creating a space where everyone can thrive.

www.thekindful.com

Love Kettering

Love Kettering – a hub and platform to empower and celebrate our local community

We set up Love Kettering with the aim of helping to get our community excited and emotionally invested in our town again. For the past 2 years, we’ve used our social media channels to document and share all the events, shops, projects and people we’ve come across, to help keep people in the loop with the best bits of Kettering and surrounding areas. We’ve seen how much difference it can make by channeling a little positivity, so we set up our CIC to help us advise and support the growing swell of people who want to reconnect and contribute to making our town a better place – it’s just that many don’t know where to start.

Our mission is to inspire and empower our community to understand how they can make a difference, while shining a spotlight on the local heroes who are already doing great work. Our core concept has always been to connect people with the latest events and opportunities and, with skills in photography, branding and marketing, we want to raise people’s perception of Kettering through great design, art and beautiful imagery too. Love Kettering is a hub and platform for community empowerment and celebration. We also offer reduced rate creative, design and social media support for local enterprises.

Find out more and get in touch

facebook.com/we.love.kettering
instagram.com/love.kettering
info@lovekettering.co.uk
lovekettering.co.uk

UpskillU

UpskillU –  “Transforming Communities through Restorative Practise”

UpskillU is a restorative community organisation specializing in training and consultancy services for organisations working with vulnerable people. We also work directly within the community at grass roots level through our social enterprise Upskill 360. 

Exodus is our flagship restorative intervention aimed at young people involved in, affected by, or at risk of violence and exploitation. The programme has been co-designed by young people, experts through lived experience, and industry professionals. What makes Exodus different to so many other interventions, is that it is underpinned by restorative approaches and incorporates a range of therapeutic models including: strengths based and trauma informed approaches, mental skills training, CBT and motivational interviewing. Our team of professionally trained mentors and trainers bring knowledge and expertise through their own lived experience.
Exodus combines both prescriptive and developmental elements, designed to explore 
– Self-Identity
– Attitudes and Values
– Risks and Consequences
– Conflict and Choices
– Influences and Decisions
There is an initial intensive period after which point, we assess the distance travelled before tailoring a longer term plan of support package.
To discuss Exodus in more detail then contact us at info@upskillu.org

Exodus+ Plus Programme
Exodus+
is a 12 month mentoring programme for 18-24 year olds who are at risk of offending, criminal exploitation and/or victimisation. We use mentors with lived experience to deliver a strengths based and trauma informed approach. We have a blended delivery style of learning with both face to face and virtual meetings taking place. 
Incorporated into Exodus+ is the My Back Yard (MY:BK:YD) programme – “Translating aspiration into positive action” 
MY:BK:YD
works in partnership with local businesses who want to help young people turn aspiration into positive employment action; by engineering & brokering relevant training & employment opportunities.

To discuss Exodus+ further or enquire about referral process; please contact amy@upskillu.org // 07838 804806
MYBKYD Lead: Ric Ellis: 07793 069744 //  ric@upskillu.org

Active in Motion

Active In Motion offers a multitude of benefits for individuals who do not feel a conventional gym is for them by leveraging our state-of-the-art Innerva power-assisted exercise machines and our holistic approach to wellness:

Physiological Benefits:

Improved Respiratory Function: Innerva power-assisted exercise machines enable controlled, progressive workouts that can enhance respiratory muscles. This can lead to improved breathing patterns and increased lung capacity.

Enhanced Cardiovascular Health: Engaging in our fitness programs can promote better cardiovascular health, reducing the strain on the heart.

Muscle Strength and Endurance: Our innovative equipment and functional training tools provide opportunities to build muscle strength and endurance. This can help individuals perform daily activities with less effort.

Exercises on our equipment can improve balance and mobility, reducing the risk of falls, which can be particularly concerning for certain people.

Psychological Benefits:

Stress Reduction: Engaging in physical activity has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, helping individuals manage the emotional aspects of living with certain conditions.

Enhanced Mood: Regular exercise, especially in a supportive and inclusive environment like A.I.M, can boost mood and alleviate symptoms of depression, which are common in today’s society.

Increased Self-Confidence: Achieving fitness goals and connecting with others who share similar experiences can enhance self-confidence and self-esteem, positively impacting mental well-being.

Social and Community Benefits:

Supportive Environment: AIM’s commitment to inclusivity and community creates a welcoming and supportive space where individuals can feel understood and encouraged.

Skill Development: Our programs promote skill development and personal growth, empowering individuals to better manage their everyday activities and improve their quality of life.

Reduced Social Exclusion and Improved Well-being:

Breaking Down Barriers: Our focus on inclusivity helps break down social barriers that individuals may face. This fosters social interaction and engagement, reducing feelings of isolation.

Enhanced Independence: Improved physical fitness can lead to increased independence, enabling individuals to maintain a more active and fulfilling lifestyle [9].

Quality of Life: Overall, participation in AIM’s programs can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals by addressing both physical and psychological aspects of their life and or condition.

By offering a holistic approach to well-being and a welcoming community environment, AIM can be a valuable resource for all individuals regardless of their ability or disability. Our innovative equipment and supportive programs can help them manage their daily tasks more effectively and lead more fulfilling lives.

https://www.adrenalinealley.co.uk/active-in-motion/

Creating Adoption Networks

We are two mums who became friends after we adopted our children over 13 years ago.

We met at a camp for adopters and our friendship grew from there. We know and understand the importance of peer to peer support for both adopters and the children. 

For over 12 years we have run events and camping trips voluntary and in August 2023, we decided to form Creating Adoption Networks Community Interest Company.  

We both feel that it is important to have fun and make memories.

Please contact us for support – hello@creatingadoptionnetworks.co.uk

Clare and Lydia