Down to Zero, a community benefit society that supports community-led environmental activities to tackle climate change, has scooped a National Community Management Award from Social Farms & Gardens, Wales.

The non-profit society, a subsidiary of Cynon Taf Community Housing Group (CTCHG), received the award for engaging and co-delivering solutions with local people on both climate change and local environmental challenges.

Down to Zero has three sites across Rhondda Cynon Taf: 1.6 acres in Pontyclun, 1.4 acres in Mountain Ash, and 27 acres of wetland and broadleaved native woodlands in Aberdare, which is leased to Cwmbach Community Wetlands Society.

The Pontyclun and Mountain Ash sites offer outdoor spaces for CTCHG tenants and community members to participate and volunteer in nature-based activities like planting community orchards, beekeeping, woodworking, and growing and harvesting food for its developing vegetable box subscription service, the Llysh Bocs.

Tom Addiscott, Project Manager at Down to Zero, said: “This Social Farms & Gardens Community Management Award recognises the hard work and commitment of volunteers and community members in creating such fabulous growing spaces to support wildlife and local food production.

“In the last year, volunteers have given over 7,000 hours to the projects, emphasising their social and environmental value. Projects such as Down to Zero are essential to increasing community resilience for future generations.”

Lucie Taylor CLAS Cymru Coordinator at Social Farms & Gardens said: “Down to Zero has achieved a huge amount since acquiring the land in Pontyclun, showcasing some fantastic work in communities, for communities! We are hoping this Award and the Welsh Government #LightUpTheFuture celebrations will give them the public recognition they richly deserve.”

Down to Zero was established in 2022 and is currently looking for volunteers to get involved across its Pontyclun and Mountain Ash sites. Anyone interested in taking part can email [email protected] and get the latest Down to Zero updates by following @DtZCymru on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.