The Community Environmental Trust, initially called the Castle Vale Community Environmental Trust, is an environmental charity that started life during the regeneration process of Castle Vale and was detailed with the task of ensuring that the regeneration took into account the environment at all stages of the process.
The Trust was instrumental in the development of the Castle Vale Conservation Area, the establishment of the Castle Vale Community Garden and the development of Birmingham’s first new park (at the time) in 50 years.
By 2005 the redevelopment process was drawing to a close and the Trust needed to realign itself in order to continue to benefit the community. Since then the CET has focused on the development of projects that not only benefit Castle Vale, but can be run in other areas of the City as well as broadening the scope of our work to include the protection of blue spaces as well as green spaces.
Over the past 20 years, CET has developed invaluable links with key local partners and third-sector agencies operating from within Castle Vale to provide better services for residents and create a stronger and more resilient community: The Pioneer Group, Compass-Support, Neighbour Partnership Board, Spitfire Services, Active Arts and Castle Vale Leisure Gardens Association.
The Trust is also an integral part of the environmental movement in Birmingham, having partnerships with many important environmental groups such as Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, Birmingham Trees For Life, Birmingham Open Spaces Forum, Tame Valley Wetlands, Birmingham City Council Parks Department Birmingham and District Allotments.