Projects

Past Projects

• Calderdale Voluntary Sector Strategy development (Enabling public and voluntary sector codesign2023/4)

• Energy Neighbours (Developing a community energy project and securing £900k Lottery funding 2023/5)

• West Yorkshire VCSE MatMap (Mapping voluntary sector services relevant to maternity and neonatal services 2023/24)

• Threadbear Theatre Charity (Setting up a charity for a community theatre group 2022/4)

More information about these projects is here

Current Projects

Community Buildings Network - May 2023 to now

Funded by TSL Kirklees

Bringing together third sector organisations managing community buildings to reduce energy use and cost. We are working together to understand our buildings, plan works, find funding and finance, learn from each other, get advice and find trusted contractors. The network works together to seek funds to support our communities to reduce their energy use and cost. 

The Community Buildings Energy Survey Report presented data from 72 local community buildings providing evidence of concern and activity in the voluntary sector on energy issues.

In 2025/6, the Community Buildings Network continues with funding through TSL Kirklees, with the Kirklees Climate Commission taking over the management of coordination. Tom continues to coordinate the network, contracted by the Commission.

Update Aug 2025: Email communitybuildingsnetwork@gmail.com to contact Tom about the network

Sociocracy Learning Circle - Jan 2025 - now Free Learning - Register Now (Jan 20206

Tom has been learning about Sociocracy since early 2024, reading and engaging in online events. Sociocracy is a governance system, just like democracy or corporate governance methods. It’s best suited for organizations that want to self-govern based on the values of equality. (Sociocracy for all quote)

In Feb and Mar 2026, Tom will be facilitating a series of in-person learning sessions, in Huddersfield, to introduce the values and methods of Sociocracy.  More information is available about the content of these sessions at Sociocracy Learning Circle

To express an interest in these sessions email your contact details to tomtaylor@flow.org.uk before 30 Jan 2025: 

Cooperative and Community Business Development Worker training - Sept 2024 - now

The Barefoot Coop Advisor Training programme prepares people with experience of community businesses to be advisors and development wokers, able to support new and established community businesses.

It covers business models and governance, finance and marketting and prepares learners for working with organisations in an enabling, supportive and ethical way.

Tom has developed a network of contacts in the Coop sector through this training, as well as developing skills and tools that build on his experience of supporting charities and community groups.

Big Solar Coop member- Aug 2024 - 2024 - now

The Big Solar Coop finds organisations that have high summer energy use and big roofs suitable for solar panels. They then design and install the panels for free so long as the organisation agrees to buy (at a price lower than they can buy elsewhere) clean electricity from the Coop for a long period.  Investors and business loans fund the installation and maintenance. Each project generates surplus funds to pay investors a return and repay loans.

Big roofs are one of the cheapest and most efficient ways of getting more solar power. Matching energy demand with clean generation improves the financial performance of each installation. It's a fabulous Coop and Tom is proud to be an investor member and volunteer. 

Huddersfield Quakers - Future Building - Feb 2024 - now

Tom has been a Quaker since around 2005 and a member of Huddersfield Quaker Meeting. In early 2024, the Huddersfield Meeting began a process of reflection about their premises, the Meeting House on Church St, Paddock, Huddersfield.

Tom developed a survey to collect comments and views and organised, with a small working group, a series of events to engage local Quakers with the Meeting House. There were meetings to explore our experience of the space, frustrations and hopes. 'Love Your Meeting House' events brought Quakers together to tidy up, clean and organise different rooms. 'A 'Meet Your Meeting House' event led us to consider the history, function and future of the building.

In 2026, Tom plans a community research project, listening to different 'stakeholders' ideas about how to improve the building, how it might be used and managed to meet the needs of future Quakers and the local community.

For more details email: tomtaylor@flow.org.uk 

One Community Foundation Trustee - Sept 2018 - Mar 2025

One Community is a philanthropic foundation, a member of UK Community Foundations. It aims to build up, from donations from wealthy individuals or businesses, a financial endowment which is invested.  The investment income is then distributed as grants to community organisations in Kirklees. This model retains the capital and so, as long as investments provide a return, there is always funds for community activities.

Some donors also provide funds which are distributed in grants instead of invested. The Foundation also manages the distribution of Local and National Government funding to local organisations.

Tom has contributed to trustees work in developing the charity by helping to recruit new trustees, develop policies and systems and supporting the management of change and challenges. Tom introduced an annual satisfaction survey for staff, volunteers and trustees providing a tool to identify progress and areas for development in the charity.

See: https://one-community.org.uk/ and https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5007934

Kirklees Climate Commission - Aug 2021 to now

Tom has been a Commissioner since the start of the Commission, bringing the perspective and values of the third sector to his role. The Commission has incorporated as a non-profit company. 

The Commission is a partner in the Energy Neighbours project (see: Past projects) with a role to support sharing learning and evidencing the climate impact of Energy Neighbours (for example, evidence of carbon emissions reduction from project activities). The Commission receives some Lottery funding for this role.

www.kirkleesclimate.org.uk.  See also Communty Buildings Network project on this page.

Eve Joné Music - Jan 2023 - now

Eve is a young singer-songwriter, performing lyrically-rich and emotionally literate indie folk songs. Tom has supported Eve in recording adn releasing her first album The Water and The Trees (2024)  and with performing at local venues and festivals. 

Tom takes credit for introducing Eve to playing guitar and to songwriting - in fact for her very existence as a human being, as Eve is his daughter

Friends of Highfields Community Orchard - 2009 to now

From a community campaign, through guerrilla gardening in 2010 to a recognised community green space for fruit, play, community, nature and wellbeing.

In 2025, the orchard is thriving, with mature fruit trees and regular community events.  Tom is still chair of the management committee.

See the Highfields Community Orchard Facebook Group