how to compost best

Shredded paper is good...if any of your neighbours have grass, perhaps they would give you their clippings....:>)

You can buy certain compost-accelerating products, try asking @ yr local garden centre.
I believe that if your compost heap is in the shade it could take longer to rot down... also, covering it (piece of old carpet is a classic choice) helps if it is not in a container with a lid. Water too if it seems dry?

Opinions are divided about whether or not you should turn compost to mix it up.

A good shovel full of garden soil helps things along and introduces a lot of helpful creatures.....maybe you could ask a neighbour?!

Your composting will take ages, whether you use an activator or not, because I suspect you cannot make a heap big enough to create a "hot" compost. This would need to be a minimum of 3' x 3' x3', would need turning often and regularly, needs to be kept moist and covered, and it's hard work to produce. Most of us compost by chucking things on a heap or in a container gradually over months - that means you get a little bit of compost at the bottom of the pile, with fresher uncomposted material on top. It's also better onto soil (which you obviously can't do). But the addition of a few dry grass clippings occasionally wouldn't do any harm - but no more than a thin layer at a time.

agree with both those comments. can anyone donate u some soil to get things moving along a little more quickly? Horse manure? That will need a minimum no. of months to rot down well, but worth the wait.