The CSV Action Network is the result of a groundbreaking partnership between CSV and the BBC.

With over 40 years' experience and expertise, our award winning Action Network works in partnership with BBC English Regions to promote campaigns and appeals that inspire people and communities to take action.

Our focus lies on working closely with communities through events and other participation opportunities to inspire people to take action and become active citizens. Volunteering and citizen engagement are our strengths and we have a large network of volunteers who help out and coordinate events.

How and why they work
The 36 CSV Action Desks are run by a CSV Community Outreach Manager who organises volunteering events to enhance larger BBC campaigns and address local needs.

We use our community links to promote citizen advocacy - encouraging the audience to become part of the solution, either through volunteering or by learning new skills.

Since 2003 we have worked with nearly 10,000 local partners and organisations across England and provided the means to get their voices heard on BBC local radio.

Watch a short film about what we do here: Making a Difference - Celebrating 5 years of partnership with the BBC. 
* Please note that this film will open up automatically in Microsoft Windows Media Player.
Don't have Media Player? Download it here for free.

Getting Young People Volunteering
The CSV Action Network also offers the opportunity to young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to use their passions and their energy to work as an Agent4Change in your local community.

Click here to visit the Agents4Change website to learn more!

Click here to read a summary of what the Agents have achieved in their first year 
[PDF document, 1MB].

Award Winning Campaigns
CSV celebrated success after sharing gongs with the likes of Chris Evans, Classic FM and John Humphrys at the Sony’s - the equivalent of Oscars for radio - taking top spot in the Community Awards category for The Plot with a separate contribution to BBC Radio Derby’s victory for medium sized station of the year.

Commenting on The Plot, an initiative which saw two derelict Slough allotments turned into thriving community spaces, the judges said: "What set it apart was that they exploited the idea across the output, even managing a drama in the garden shed. It was fun radio which really engaged the community and left a lasting legacy."

Access For All                                              Broadcast activity is supported by outreach, where we go into the heart of local communities to engage with real people from all ages and backgrounds, enabling us to see issues and problems first hand.

We invest in relationships and build contacts that traditional journalists often do not have the time, or skills, to develop, enabling us to access communities who are often sceptical of the media and we work with these communities so they can articulate their needs to a wider audience.

To see how we have worked with different local communities in the past click here to download Access For All-CSV Action Desks and collaborative work with Hard to Reach Groups [PDF document, 406kb].

CSV Action Network Achievements
Since 2001 we have:

• Motivated 450,769 people to become active citizens through volunteering and taking up learning opportunities
• Collaborated with over 20,000 voluntary and community sector organisations 
• Brokered and fostered links and relationships across all sectors, helping to build stronger communities

What we can do for you
The CSV Action Network can help you harness the power of the media to recruit volunteers, promote a local campaign or appeal, offer a local perspective to a national issue, or raise awareness.

Volunteer!                                                 Volunteers support the CSV Manager by answering the phones, researching campaigns and helping out with admin. You can also get involved in actively organising exciting campaigns and events.

Contact us!
To find out more, email nschmiedefeld@csv.org.uk or contact your nearest CSV Action Desk.

For a full list of contacts, click here to download the CSV Action Desk Contact Details(MS Word document, 81.5Kb).

Work for us
CSV Community Outreach Manager vacancies are advertised at: www.csv.org.uk/jobs.

Want to know more about CSV's other media products and services?
Click here for more information.