Community Collaboration 

People everywhere are taking action to protect both people and the planet, recognising that small, everyday choices add up to meaningful change.

When communities speak together, they can influence policy locally and beyond.

In Sidmouth and the Sid Valley, many individuals, community groups, and local businesses are already working hard to improve water quality, conserve nature, care for green spaces, , support biodiversity, protect rivers and the sea, reduce waste, and support responsible energy use.

This project supported by the National Lottery, aims to amplify that work, celebrate it, and make it more visible — giving everyone the chance to get involved, feel empowered, and feel hopeful.

Agency, Action & Hope

The charter will help to raise awareness of the environmental challenges facing our coastal location and to promote a joined‑up approach to caring for the Sid Valley.

By working together — residents, volunteers, schools, community groups, and local businesses — we can encourage positive action, support volunteering, and share information about climate impacts and the practical steps we can take locally.

We are co-creating this charter together with shared aims to improve our marine and natural spaces — including the beach, the Byes, parks, gardens, and surrounding landscapes — through collective stewardship that protects them now and for future generations.

Watch our film short highlighting our amazing environmentally focussed Sea Fest ’26 event.

Sea Fest ’26 Marine and Green

Whole Community Approach

There are so many opportunities and activities that celebrate Sidmouth’s unique coastal environment and the people and businesses who make up the Sid Valley.

By enabling people of all ages and abilities — to come together for a shared purpose, the project aims to strengthen community bonds and deepens local pride.

Individuals, local groups, schools, organisations and businesses play a vital role in shaping the character and sustainability of the Sid Valley.

Marine & Green Community Charter

Marine & Green Charter Artwork

SCCH is delighted to present a new artwork which is the result of our Marine and Green project and all of the pledges and principles that people of all ages made and gave at Sea fest and via our online survey.

Digital Artist Tara Greifenberg, who is Creative Director for Sea Fest, based the design on the original campaign artwork for our Marine and Green themed festival this year.  Using the pledges that were made, which were analysed to draw out key themes, Tara created the artwork to show it as a mindmap, drawing attention to the areas of most concern most reflected via the pledges and what you told us.

The artwork is currently on display at the public gallery in Sidmouth overlooking the Ham carpark: Sidmouth Wallspace 

Watch here to see the Marine and Green Charter Artwork in situ

Artwork Description & Visual Narrative

Set against a gridded turquoise-to-lime green gradient background, the 6m x 3m billboard artwork blends graphic illustration, photo-collage, and handwritten mind-map diagrams:

The Two Guardian Figures: Anchoring the composition on the lower left and lower right are two stylised human figures representing the duality of the environment.

On the left stands the Marine Guardian, decked in oceanic hues of deep blue, featuring a headdress of sea corals, tendrils, and marine elements. Reflective mirrored sunglasses frame coastal imagery, including a surfer and a sailboat.

On the right stands the Green Guardian, wearing foliage, leaves, and a rabbit perched atop a crown of greenery. Reflective glasses showcase scenes of people enjoying outdoors and lush landscapes.

At the top centre, bold collage typography spells out “MARINE & GREEN”, filled with photographic textures of sea and land, above the hand-lettered subtitle “COMMUNITY CHARTER”.

Three Core Charter Themes: Branching outwards across the composition are hand-drawn bubbles organising the charter’s main action headings and direct community pledges:

OUR WATERS & SEA (Marine): Encompasses sub-headings for Litter Free Beaches (e.g., “Always pick up litter, never walk past plastic”, “Join a beach clean when you can”), Clean Drains Safe Oceans (e.g., “Only flush the 3 Ps: Poo, Pee, Paper”, “Keep chemicals out of sinks & drains”), and Safe Rivers for Wildlife (e.g., “Keep pets out of streams straight after medical treatments”).

EVERYDAY GREEN LIVING: The central trunk branching into Eat Greener (“Eat more homegrown”, “Enjoy more local, seasonal, plant-based”), Save Energy (“Switch off lights”, “Shorter showers”, “Lower power usage”), Choose Wisely (“Buy second-hand”, “Reduce single-use plastic”, “Consume less, create more”), and Travel Kindly (“Walk, cycle, catch the bus”, “Leave the car behind”).

OUR LAND & NATURE (Green): Encompasses sub-headings for Healthy Places for Life (“Create spaces for animals to rest, nest & recover safely”, “Accept untidy wild zones”), Wildlife & Bug Welcome (“Plant local trees”, “Grow native flowers”, “Create insect hotels”), and Chemical Free Gardens (“Ditch toxic pesticides & weedkillers”, “Safeguard the soil & visiting creatures”).

Poetic Micro-Pledges: Dotted around the collage panels are single-word intentions, including replenish, defend, balance, nurture, resilience, respect, cherish, and protect.

Marine and Green Community Charter document

We are delighted to present the Sidmouth and Sidvalley Marine and Green Community Charter which has been developed through our project with the help of residents young and old, Sidmouth’s Green Groups and all those who made their pledges at Sidmouth Sea Fest 2026.

We are sharing the document, designed as a working tool, with local decision makers, schools, community groups and others with the aim to continue the conversation, to spark and inspire hope, collaborations and new actions that uphold the values and actions of the Charter.

You can view the Marine and Green Community Charter here Sidmouth and Sid Valley Marine and Green Community Charter (Final Official Edition)

Feel free to share the document, use it to inspire action and please do feedback to us how you are using it and with your ideas for joint initiatives to continue the journey.

Contact info@sidmouthcoastalcommunityhub.og

 

Many are already working hard preserving, conserving and revitalising habitats, reducing waste, sourcing responsibly, supporting local producers, and championing environmental values.

By highlighting this work and encouraging everyone to get involved, we will build a stronger, more resilient place that supports both people and planet locally.

Through shared learning, collaboration, and collective action, the Charter supports a culture of stewardship across the Sid Valley.

Bringing residents, organisations, and businesses together to build strong relationships, foster understanding, take action and strengthen our shared purpose and community pride.

People & Planet

Caring for our environment also means caring for the people who live and work here. Local businesses are an important part of community wellbeing — providing places to meet, work, gather, and connect. Everyday kindness, neighbourliness, and supportive business practices help people feel valued and included.

Climate change can feel overwhelming, and taking part in positive, practical activities — including through workplaces — can help reduce anxiety by turning concern into action. Businesses can support staff, customers, and the wider community by promoting hopeful messages, offering inclusive opportunities, and encouraging time in nature.

Wellbeing

This charter supports activities that help people feel connected and supported, such as:

  • Everyday acts of kindness
  • Opportunities to meet others and share skills
  • Creative and nature‑based activities
  • Inclusive events for all ages
  • Positive, hopeful messaging
  • Encouraging time outdoors
  • Supportive, environmentally conscious spaces

Join Us

Charter Activities at Sea Fest

As part of this collaborative approach, community groups, artists, and volunteers will be offering free activities, information and conversations at Sidmouth Sea Fest on Saturday 16th May 2026 at Connaught Gardens.

Fun, creative and easy activities designed to welcome everyone into the process, spark ideas, and encourage people of all ages to contribute to the charter, will be available.

Through this collective effort, the charter will reflect shared local priorities and generate a clear set of next‑step Marine and Green projects that strengthen stewardship of our beaches, the Byes, parks, gardens, and wider natural spaces.

Your Say

Creating the Charter

We are developing the Charter through an open, collaborative process involving residents, community groups, local organisations, and local businesses.

Updates, resources and opportunities to get involved will be added as we go.

Everyone is invited to contribute:

  • Develop the charter with us by completing the survey below
  • Make your pledges
  • Have your say
  • Be part of something special

Please complete the survey below, we will produce the working charter taking account of responses with ongoing opportunity to add pledges.

Children and young people

Our young people are central to the future of the Sid Valley, and their voices, ideas, and creativity are essential to shaping a thriving, sustainable community.

Many young people feel worried about the state of the planet and the challenges ahead, and it is vital that their concerns are heard and taken seriously.

This charter recognises their right to be included, to contribute, and to influence decisions that affect their future.

By creating opportunities for young people to share their views, lead projects, take action, and advocate for change, we help build confidence, hope, and a sense of agency. Their energy, imagination, and commitment are powerful drivers of positive environmental action — and the future of our marine and green spaces depends on them being part of the conversation today.

Survey

Name(Required)
Please provide a link to your website that we can include to take people to further information about your marine and green work/opportunities for volunteering etc.
Max. file size: 512 MB.
Your Connection to Sidmouth and the Sid Valley(Required)
Which age group are you in?(Required)
This will help us to understand views across the community.
If responding on behalf of a group, organisation or business, where do you primarily work or steward?(Required)
For example the area you work in, look after, or focus your marine and green work in.
This will help us to see the breadth of marine and green work ongoing.
For example: litter pick, conservation, growing, recycling, eco-products, using refills, planting, green energy or any other activity you do that supports the environment.
You may have a policy, or set of principles or charter to cover the area you work in or guide your group in its environmental work, or to adhere to be sustainable.
Tell us the main principles or values you would like to see in the charter. They will help to highlight marine and green priorities that will shape the charter.
Max. file size: 512 MB.
These will help people to adapt or create pledges that reflect their interests, abilities, and the places they care most about. We will be adding action pledges throughout the development of the charter. Small actions and community actions may be included. Please share what you are already doing and what you will do.
Please tick yes if you would like to stay informed about the charter's development, we will do this using the email address you provided.(Required)