WHY GET COLLECTIVE?

'Alone we can do so little, together we can achieve so much'  Helen Keller



Welcome to The Community Collectives!


I'm Averil Rafferty an experienced project coordinator, grant writer, presenter, training development expert and facilitator.  I work with community groups, organisations and schools using interactive and creative methods.  I am trained in Improv and am a LEGO® Serious Play® Facilitator.


I've seen firsthand the incredible potential within communities, but I also know how time, energy constraints, and a lack of confidence can hinder progress. That's why I started The Community Collectives – to bridge these gaps and support communities in turning their visions into reality.


I believe that communities are best placed to resolve their own issues and make best use of their own resources. With years of experience mentoring and supporting communities, I've helped secure funding, resources, and partnerships to achieve high impact benefits. I offer a range of workshops and support options designed to empower your community with the skills and confidence to make a real impact.


I'm here to walk with you along your journey, facilitating and supporting every step of the way. Together, we can create thriving, vibrant communities and make your vision a reality!

Removing Barriers

Each community is so unique with a variety of strengths, opportunities and challenges.  Let's meet to come up with a plan on how best you can be supported to discover the next steps for becoming a community change maker.

Will it be straighforward?  Rarely!  However it will usually be a lot of fun, a great learning journey and we will take positive steps forward together.



Ideas for your Community

I have taken a lead role in organising many community events such as clothes swaps, plant swaps, setting up and maintaining community gardens, sustainable food showcases, setting up and maintaining Ireland's first community electric bicycle library, repair cafe events and design thinking sprints.

Testimonials

Averil is amazing at mustering up people and energy!  We got a lovely group together over the year long programme and I could not believe  how much we got going!

Martina, Project participant, Ballymun

Averil has brought a great awareness of sustainability and the circular economy to our community. She held a very successful clothes swap event and facilitated a sustainability workshop. She motivated us with a tree planting event and sourced bird boxes which were installed by locals. She also applied for various grants on our behalf, giving us the tools to effect change in our neighbourhood.

Mandy, Chairperson, Belarmine Residents Association, Stepaside

Averil is an inspiration, she encourages me and the group to meet their potential.  We created a space to teach food preservation and cooking within the community together.  The goal was to spread the word about the circular economy

Laura,  Chef and project participant, Finglas

I attended a workshop facilitated by Averil .  It was a very diverse group that didn't know each other beforehand, but within a short while we were sharing fears, ideas and constructive solutions while having a laugh together too.  She has a very gentle and supportive approach that made everyone feel welcome and their contributions valued.

Mairead O'Connor, Skills Development Manager, The Wheel

We'll definately be getting Averil again.  The kids had a great time yesterday and were wondering when she will be coming back!!'

Mick Coleman, St Ciaran's National School, Green Schools Coordinator

What is a Collective?

WORKING TOGETHER


A collective is where the magic happens - together.


“Without the mess, there is no success.” - Alistair McCall


Reaching meaningful goals can feel messy and frustrating, but that’s often when real progress is happening.


Working as a collective means coming together to share ideas, skills, and energy to tackle challenges. By focusing on a common goal, schools, communities, and organizations can achieve much more than they could on their own.


Let’s embrace the mess and work together to make a real difference.

01

Chef Collective

Food waste is a major environmental issue, but many people aren’t sure where to begin. That’s where we come in!

Join myself and Chef Eilis Davenport from Learn Local for a tailored, interactive project that teaches practical food-saving techniques. We’ll guide your group through hands-on demos, lively discussions, and tastings—making it fun and easy to reduce food waste in everyday life.

Have questions or ready to book? Head to my booking form and let’s get started!


02

Play Collective

Looking to strengthen connections and spark fresh ideas in your community? Play breaks down barriers, fosters creativity, and builds trust—even in groups where engagement feels challenging or climate change seems overwhelming.

Our light-hearted workshops use tools like Lego play and outdoor games to inspire collaboration and bring people together. They’re a fun, unique way to engage and energize your community while exploring new possibilities.

03

Gardening Collective

Let’s work together to nurture our natural world. From dispersed orchards to community gardens or rewilding areas, we’ll help you create spaces that support biodiversity and strengthen community ties.

Tending to these shared spaces enhances well-being, fosters connection, and builds pride in our place within nature. By coming together to build our gardening know how, we rediscover that protecting nature is also about caring for ourselves and each other.

04

Climate Collective

Engaging communities around just transition, climate action, and social justice can be challenging, but it’s where real change begins. At Community Collectives, we specialize in using a collaborative, community development approach to help groups navigate these challenges.

Whether you're struggling to spark engagement or have accessed funding and aren’t sure where to start, we’re here to help. Together, we’ll develop and implement tailored projects that meet your community’s unique needs and goals.


Types of workshops

I offer a variety of tailored workshops designed to meet the unique needs of your community or organization. These hands-on sessions will empower your group to embrace sustainable practices, enhance teamwork, and foster inclusivity.


  • Circular Living: Learn how to live more sustainably through everyday practices, from saving seeds to sharing plants, all while protecting nature.


  • Planting for the Future: Discover low-cost planting techniques that help protect our environment and promote biodiversity.


  • Organising Your Swap Event: Foster a sharing economy in your neighbourhood with easy-to-implement tips for successful swap events.


  • Play and Community: Build stronger connections through fun, simple games that strengthen teamwork and community bonds, with an explanation of why they work.


  • Design Thinking for Your Community: Use design thinking principles to creatively plan events, spaces, or activities that resonate with your group’s needs.


  • Inclusive Communities: Explore ways to make your community more inclusive, identifying barriers and brainstorming solutions for greater engagement.


Each workshop is tailored to suit the specific challenges and interests of your group. If you have a unique idea or challenge, let’s work together to create a workshop that meets your needs.

Let’s talk!

Book a one off workshop, 4 week session of them or get in touch to get further information.  Book a quick 10 minute consult to see how we can work together to organise an event or to build community in your area/workplace or education setting.


Fill in the form or

 

Text: 0851262271 

Email: averil@communitycollectives.ie