Upper Charminster Community Action Group · BournemouthResident-led. Action-focused. Since 2019.Join our Facebook community ↗
October 2026Two AED sites being prepared · Cemetery access trial being discussed · Community GuardiansGet the updates ↗

Working for Upper Charminster

Local voices.
Real action.

To create a cleaner, safer and more welcoming Upper Charminster by bringing residents together, improving shared spaces, protecting the local environment and encouraging positive community involvement.

Charminster Road shops and businesses in Upper CharminsterUpper Charminster. Local voices. Real change. ✳
Local projects✳Safer neighbourhoods✳Stronger representation

Action, not just ambition

Our projects.
Our priorities.

What's happening now, what's being developed and how UCCAG is working to make change happen.

UCCAG volunteers joining a community activity
Current · partnership project

Community Guardians

Funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Operation Relentless Community Fund, our Community Guardians and neighbourhood safety work combines visible engagement, practical action and stronger local partnerships.

Community safety work ↗
Tree-lined main avenue at Wimborne Road Cemetery
Current · campaigning

Access to Wimborne Road Cemetery

We continue to campaign for free public access and a coordinated management plan. Local councillors have reported plans for a trial Saturday opening; details and dates are still to be confirmed.

Our cemetery campaign ↗

Also in progress: historic tram shelter improvements, environmental projects and developing ideas for guided cemetery walks and emergency aid training.

Explore all projects & priorities ↗

What's happening

Latest project updates.

Read all updates ↗
October 2026 · project update

Two AED locations agreed

Two AED cabinets and bleed-control kits are secured. Installation is still to take place; locations will be published only when the equipment is ready.

Read project details ↗
October 2026 · community communications

Join the UCCAG mailing list

The UCCAG Community mailing list is open for local news and updates. Choose your interests too, if you would like to hear about particular activities.

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October 2026 · cemetery access

Saturday entrance trial discussed

Local councillors have advised of plans for a trial Saturday gate opening. There is no confirmed date yet; UCCAG is following this up.

Read project details ↗
2026 · community safety

Community Guardians initiative

Operation Relentless funding is supporting visible community engagement, safety activity and practical environmental improvements.

Read project details ↗

Making our voices heard

A neighbourhood worth
standing up for.

We make sure Upper Charminster's residents and businesses are heard when public services, policies and decisions affect our area.

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Who we are

A community
action group.

Upper Charminster Community Action Group (UCCAG) was formed by local residents around 2019/20 and formally constituted on 10 March 2021. We are here to organise, advocate and turn local ideas into improvements.

We bring together local residents, businesses, community organisations and public partners to care for shared spaces, celebrate local heritage and turn ideas into positive action.

Our community network includes local residents, businesses, councillors and public partners. We have organised an engagement event at the tram shelter (around 60 attendees), supported police community contact points outside Tesco Express and local CCTV improvements, and continued to advocate for Upper Charminster in decisions about regeneration, safety and shared spaces. More about our work ↗

01 /

Deliver practical improvements

Projects that make a visible difference to streets and shared spaces.

02 /

Influence local decisions

A stronger voice with councillors, public services and decision-makers.

03 /

Improve community safety

Partnership action on antisocial behaviour, crime and public confidence.

04 /

Protect our heritage

Protecting our Grade II registered historic cemetery and familiar local landmarks.

Community safety & representation

Working together for
safer streets.

Community safety is a key part of our purpose, alongside the wider neighbourhood improvements we pursue.

UCCAG works with residents, Dorset Police, BCP Council and elected representatives to challenge antisocial behaviour and crime, promote reporting, seek effective responses and ensure Upper Charminster isn't overlooked in local decisions.

Operation Relentless — zero tolerance to antisocial behaviour across DorsetSupporting our Community Guardians and neighbourhood safety work.

We have represented residents through the formal Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review, supported improvements including CCTV, and pressed statutory bodies to keep Charminster visible in local decision-making. Our Community Guardians project is the public-facing name for the Community Guardians & Safety Reset initiative, supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Operation Relentless Community Fund.

Reporting matters: official reports help services understand problems and respond. Facebook posts and messages to UCCAG are not a substitute for reporting directly to the police or council.

UCCAG community safety concerns were raised in Parliament in January 2026 ↗

How to report crime or ASB ↗

Emergency?

Call 999 if a crime is happening now, someone is in immediate danger or urgent assistance is needed.

Call 999 ↗

Report a crime

For non-emergency incidents, report to Dorset Police online or call 101.

Dorset Police ↗

Other local problems

Use BCP Council's report service for issues such as fly-tipping, litter and environmental concerns.

Report to BCP Council ↗

Share police intelligence

Tell Dorset Police about suspicious activity or information that may help keep the community safe.

Dorset Police intelligence ↗

Give information anonymously

Crimestoppers is an independent charity for passing on information about crime without giving your name. Not for emergencies or victim reports.

Crimestoppers ↗0800 555 111 ↗

These links go to the responsible organisations. For an emergency call 999; for police non-emergencies call 101.

The historic chapel and spire within Wimborne Road Cemetery

Wimborne Road Cemetery

An asset for
everyone.

This Grade II registered historic cemetery is more than a heritage site. It is a place of remembrance, green space and a community asset with an important role in Upper Charminster.

The entrances remain closed, and UCCAG wants public access restored. Following a recent meeting, local councillors have advised of plans to trial a Saturday opening. The timing and arrangements are still being worked through, so please check for updates before planning a visit.

Alongside reopening the gates, we are pursuing a coordinated approach to cemetery management and exploring guided heritage walks, subject to arrangements and permissions.

Front entrance and stonework of the Russell-Cotes mausoleum in Wimborne Road Cemetery

Protecting the Russell-Cotes mausoleum

Following damage to the mausoleum doors, UCCAG campaigned for repairs, working in conjunction with BCP Council. The repairs have now been completed, helping to keep this historic monument secure and protected.

Past work & continuing improvements

Our historic
tram shelter.

UCCAG encouraged the first restoration work in 2021 and organised the latest repaint in 2026. Further improvements form part of a developed project plan, progressing through the necessary arrangements.

The shelter at the corner of Iddesleigh Road and Charminster Road is one of the familiar local places we're working to look after — one of many UCCAG projects.

Tram shelter after the latest 2026 repaint

2026 · Latest repaint organised by UCCAG

Working in partnership

Community support makes
projects possible.

With support from local partners and funders, we turn community priorities into practical projects. We acknowledge current project funding separately from earlier contributions.

BCP Council logo

BCP Council

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy funding awarded for community enhancement proposals.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner logo

Police & Crime Commissioner

Operation Relentless Community Fund support for Community Guardians and neighbourhood safety activity.

Bournemouth University logo

Bournemouth University

An earlier grant donation supporting UCCAG’s community work.

Keep connected

Have a say in what
happens next.

Sign up for news and project updates, tell us what matters to you, and be part of our community's next steps.

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