There are lots of things you can do to help make your local community greener. From organising a clothes swap or starting a community garden to making the most of your local green spaces – get involved, help protect the environment and have fun.

There are many green open spaces in the UK, ranging from small commons and village greens to the vast landscapes of National Parks. You can visit your local park and have a picnic or organise a game of football with friends. Find out if there are any planned activities you can join in with on your local council website.

You could try cycling or walking there if it’s close, or see how you can get there by public transport.

Shopping locally is important as it helps keep local businesses going and supports your local community.

Buying local helps to support your community, reduce emissions caused by the transport of goods and cut down on car trips.

As well as using local shops you can take your own bag and cut down on the amount going into landfill; find and use your local farmers’ market for fresh, local, seasonal produce; or walk or cycle to the shops.

Swapping skills and DIY or gardening tools nurtures community spirit. Sharing tools makes economic sense too, particularly for heavy duty items that you don’t often use, like garden shredders and rotivators.

If you have a particular craft or skill like carpentry, sewing, cooking, gardening or DIY that you can share you can try setting up a local swap group, or look for one already set up in your area. Other things you can share are seeds, seedlings, cuttings and gardening know-how like how to compost.

Organisations like Timebank and Swapaskill have a database of skills, and opportunities for exchanging those skills.

There’s no better place to meet like-minded individuals than through volunteering for a campaign or cause you believe in.

With just a few hours of your time a month, you can make a big difference in tackling environmental problems and improving your local area.