Social Landscapes - Permaculture Design Course

April 9th 2016 to July 24th 2016, 7 weekends + 2 optional Design Clinics and 2 optional Permablitzes (practical Permaculture days) linked to the curriculum of the course.

The Permaculture Design Course is a 72-hour inspiring and often life-changing course, accredited by the UK Permaculture Association. Over the period of 7 weekends we will explore practical and creative solutions for building resilient communities and designing abundant eco-systems. We will discover how we can work with, rather than against nature to fulfil our human needs whilst caring for the earth and the people. The course has a strong practical emphasis on ecological and social design thinking and how this can be applied in different parts of our life and society.

Dates and Venues
The course will be held on the following days:

DayTopicVenue

April 9th & 10th
Design & PrinciplesTreadwell

April 23rd & 24th
Soil & Food SystemsSutton Community Farm & Treadwell

May 8th
Optional Design Clinic Treadwell

May 14th & 15th
Self & CommunityThe Quadrangle Trust, Kent (residential) – tbc

May 28th & 29th
Water & TreesTreadwell

June 11th
Optional Permablitz - tbc

June 18th & 19th
Shelter & EnergyTreadwell & other – tbc

July 2nd
Optional Design Clinic Treadwell

July 9th & 10th
Livelihood & Transition Treadwell & Brixton Remakery

July 23rd & 24th
Presentations & Celebration Treadwell

September 3rd
Optional Permablitz – Reunion Treadwell Close

To receive the certificate, there is a requirement of making at least 11 of the 14 days, including the first two and the last two on which participants will present their designs.

Venues
The main venue is Treadwell (SW2 3TL), a semi-detached home in Streatham Hill that is being transformed into a living example for urban Permaculture Design. This location will allow us to design and explore real and practical solutions for our everyday lives in an urban environment, including small space food growing, community and human scale water and energy systems.

We will also visit different venues in South London on various days of the course. These will include the Brixton Remakery, the community orchard and allotment in Hillside Gardens Park, The Quadrangle Trust in Kent, the CSA project Sutton Community Farm and more (tbc)…

We will spend one weekend at the Quadrangle Trust exploring health and wellbeing, community building, deep ecology and connection to the natural world. The Quadrangle Trust is an inspiring space for the exploration of ecology, conservation, spirituality and creative education and has sustainable building features, gardens and a forest garden. It is situated in an idyllic setting in the Darent Valley close to Shoreham in Kent and easy to get to from London.

Tutors
Lead tutor will be Michel Thill.

Michel has lived in a number of places around the world including at eco-villages and a Permaculture Education Centre in Asia. Such experiences allowed him to explore the relationship between inner and outer resilience, personal transformation as well as the creation of community and environmental sustainability. He now lives and works in London where he teaches Permaculture Design and runs various community and food growing projects. It is Michel’s vision to create an urban example of a regenerative and restorative, life sustaining and flourishing culture, connecting people to each other and the more than human. Inspired by Permaculture principles and the Ecovillage Design Education, he is currently developing a social enterprise project which seeks to create such micro-cultures within London through reinventing our neighbourhoods.

Co-facilitator will be Tish Vail who has been working as an interior designer for many year and is integrating her professional design experience and spiritual practice with permaculture design.

Other guest teachers likely to include (details following and tbc): Duncan Law, chair and co-founder of Transition Town Brixton; Linda Royles, founder and manager of Cob in the Community; Ros Bedlow, co-founder of Transition Leytonstone, pioneering the recent Permaculture for Transition courses, Hanna Lewis, co-founder and director of the Brixton Remakery.

What the course will cover

Much of the Permaculture Design Course is focused around our most fundamental human needs. The design methodology and the Permaculture principles that are thought can be used by anyone and be integrated in any job or life situation, not only gardening. You will learn about the Permaculture way of learning, building community, organising people, setting up businesses – all of that inspired by the example of the natural world. The day topics above a guideline and not all there is.

Topics covered on the course include, but are not limited to:

• Ethics and principles of Permaculture
• Design process and methodology
• Soil structure, ecology and land regeneration
• Trees and woodland management
• Cultivated ecology: gardens and farms
• Community development and organisation
• Personal health and healthy societies
• Building effective learning groups
• Real wealth, money and sustainable exchange
• Urban challenges and urban permaculture, including retrofitting
• Energy conservation and renewable energy
• Transition Towns and transition livelihood

Each weekend includes theory and some practical hands on stuff like building a worm compost, a haybox cooker or using clay as a building material. There will be plenty of design time for each participant’s personal design and for a bigger group design, both of which will be presented on the last two days of the course. During these design sessions you will have the opportunity to integrate the things you learn during the course and you will have support from the tutors. There are optional design clinics and practical permaculture days planned. We will let you know about various useful resources and share those on an online learning platform encouraging you to build action learning groups with other course participants to support each other through learning, sharing, trying out and reflecting.

What do past participants say?

“The course was a fantastic learning process and a truly enjoyable experience. The tutors were very knowledgeable and transmitted Permaculture as an approach to living, thinking, doing, making and being. The ethics, principles and thinking tools of Permaculture have become a new mindset.” – Raquel, PhD student in Food Policy

“An inspirational personal growth adventure that I would recommend to everyone. The urban PDC is particularly useful for building practice into your daily lives and offers a response to many issues that we are facing whilst building a supportive family and community of Permaculture practisers to encourage future creativity. The tutors are the warmest and exciting people and Treadwell is a space of calm, enthusiasm and mindfulness. “ – Sam

“Studying the Permaculture method within an urban context was both empowering and thought-provoking. Presented with such realistic opportunities for positive change within the confines of the city and studying with likeminded people was extremely heartwarming. The mixture of practical and theory along with passionate teachers and guest speakers plus a variety of venues kept my interest and allowed for genuine integration of the teachings. I’m well prepared for continued use of the Permaculture tools and happily supported by the community that I’m now a part of, I cannot recommend this course enough.” – Zoe, Finance Assistant at Comic Relief

Registration and Price

For more information and to register contact Mich – 07901036220 – michelthill1@gmail.com. The course is offered on a sliding scale according to income to make it affordable of everyone. Payment by instalments is also possible. Early bird rates if paid in full before January 15th 2016.

Income below £15000pa – £380 – Early Bird £360

Income between £15000 and 25000pa – £540 – Early Bird £510

Income more than £25000pa – £720 – Early Bird £680

Course fee includes 14 days of course tuition and one residential weekend at which food is provided. On all other days, participants are asked to bring lunch to share. Tea and refreshments will be provided.

www.sociallandscapes.co.uk/event/permaculture-design-course-pdc2016/

Please click here to see our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Hummingbird Project - Crowdfunding Appeal to Help Refugees in Calais

See below post from The Hummingbird Project, a large group of Activists from Brighton who support Refugees in Calais, Dunkirk, and locally in Brighton have a crowd funding campaign to help them carry out their work

https://chuffed.org/project/thehummingbirdprojectbrighton

Read below to find out what they have been working on.

The kindness of our Donors has allowed us to build a medical clinic in the "Jungle" in Calais, which we run every weekend with our Hummingbird Doctors and Nurses. We also have volunteers who run a tea kitchen serving over 1000 hot drinks every weekend in either Calais or Dunkirk camps.

We will be soon launching an Art and Wellbeing Safe Space in the centre of the Jungle. This will be a place for people to keep warm, dry and and engage in creative and comforting activities.

We have a group of 200+ builders who are a big force locally, as well as in the camps of Dunkirk and Calais. Our builders lead the way in building shelters for refugees, and help maintain the upkeep of existing shelters. We also help provide essential fire safety equipment in the camp, and have delivered 235 fire extinguishers, to date.

Locally, Hummingbirds are launching campaigns and are busy using art as a form of peaceful activism and protest. We are often making banners, we make ‘Refugees Welcome’ Poster Campaigns, and use installations to raise awareness of human rights and remind the public of the conditions in the camps.

The Hummingbirds alongside Children of Calais are supporting Brighton Voices in Exile in supplying emergency aid to refugees that have just arrived in East Sussex.

Caroline Lucas and Keith Taylor of the Green Party have both sent letters of support to the Hummingbirds for all their dedication to working in solidarity with refugees.

The money raised will go on the overall running costs of the projects which can include (but is not exhaustive) refugee aid, medical supplies, travel expenses and volunteer expenses.

Job Post - Personal Trainer/Running Coach/Community Leader for GoodGym

Use your fitness skills to make the world a better place

See below for a job advert in the Guardian for a Personal Trainer/Running Coach/Community Leader for the GoodGym. Having past involvement with them when I was at London, I highly recommend them, they do amazing work. With the group runs, as well as having the coach runs, where you are paired with an isolated elderly person, and you run to them once a week. See below for what GoodGym is about, and what the role entails

GoodGym is a growing community of runners who get fit by doing good. We shift earth instead of weights and run to do good instead of running on treadmills.

We employ the best trainers and running coaches in the UK and make a difference to thousands of people’s lives. If you’re amazing at what you do, passionate about running and care about the world around you, we want you to be a GoodGym trainer.

About GoodGym
GoodGym is a leading social enterprise that channels the energy wasted during exercise into social good. We connect runners, or those who want to get fit, with physical tasks which benefit their community. GoodGym has been cited by leading fitness industry bodies as important fitness innovation, it is is described as having a real impact by the Prime Minister. GoodGym aims to operate in every city in the UK.

What’s involved?
As a GoodGym Trainer, you’ll be responsible for the success of GoodGym in your area: Organising and running weekly group runs (examples available on our website)

• Getting new people involved
• Developing the fitness of members
• You’ll be part of a growing team of trainers and you can work from home or from our central London office.

Core skills:

• Experienced running coach or personal training qualification.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good computer and social media skills.

Location
We have plans to be in every city in the UK over the next 3 years. At the moment we are actively recruiting in the following areas:

Barnet (London)
Croydon (London)
Ealing (London)
ammersmith & Fulham (London)
Greenwich (London)
Richmond (London)
Redbridge (London)
London - roaming trainer delivering weekly sessions across various boroughs
Worthing
Colchester

However if you are located elsewhere and would like to be involved in GoodGym's expansion please make contact and make it clear on your application where you are based.

Working Hours
Flexible 10 - 16 hours / week, including one evening run/week

Apart from 3 hours leading runs a week, work can be done flexibly from a computer.

Pay
£9,000 per year, £750 a month. Monthly freelance contract.

How to apply
Apply Online
Send a CV and cover letter telling us why you would make GoodGym successful in your chosen area. Use the button below to apply and use the subject line “Trainer Application” and the name of the area you'd like to work in. Attending a GoodGym run is strongly encouraged (upcoming runs are listed on GoodGym's website). Please demonstrate that you understand what GoodGym does in your cover letter or you are highly unlikely to get an interview.

This recruitment process is being run in collaboration with OurParks, a leading provider of free park-based exercise sessions.  You may be contacted by a member of OurParks following your application.  If you do not want to be considered for a role as an OurParks trainer, please indicate in your cover letter.

Applications closing date
Monday 1st February, 11.59pm.

Interview dates and process
Applicants will be required to attend a sit down interview, complete a short online exercise and lead a practical fitness session.

The fitness session will be a short run, without a GoodGym task. It'll be a chance to see you and the other candidates in a more practical way. You'll be asked to demonstrate a running drill. This drill should 10 minutes, but it's not about the length, rather a chance for you to show us your style.

Interviews and fitness sessions will take place in the week commencing 22nd February so please ensure you are available on these dates and state in your application if for any reason you cannot be available.

Purple Playhouse Theatre Volunteers Wanted

Purple Playhouse, a theatre in Seven Dials, Brighton have a NEW Theatre Volunteer Role

From running an acting workshop, to sharing your technical or back stage knowledge, the Purple Playhouse Theatre is on the lookout for creative and enthusiastic theatre volunteers. Come and help us paint sets, sew costumes, put on plays and more!

We will soon be launching a programme of events in the Purple Playhouse during evenings and weekends. It will be broad ranging with comedy, performance, gigs and concerts.

Benefits of the Opportunity:

1. Be part of an innovative and vibrant new Theatre Company
2. Add new skills to your CV
3. Work as part of a dedicated team, helping to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and/ or mental health needs.

Who we’re looking for

We’re seeking motivated and enthusiastic technical theatre and performance volunteers, to help support the Purple Playhouse Theatre. We are looking for volunteers with any of the following desirable skills:

– Bar work (you can be trained)
– Stewarding and Front of House (you can be trained)
– Technical: Lights and Audio (need to be experienced)
– Teaching: Experience of teaching or facilitating drama workshops would be desirable.

Skills Required

· Enthusiastic, motivated and passionate about theatre and performance.
· Great interpersonal skills.
· To have an interest in working with adults with disabilities.
· An ability to work as part of a team with other volunteers.
· An ability to take instruction and work independently to complete tasks.
· Recognition of the risks and dangers of working in event theatre.
· Punctuality and good work ethic.
· Enthusiasm for the role.

Practical Considerations

The role may involve engaging with and travelling in the local area. The recruitment procedure includes completing an application form, a criminal record check, an informal discussion and an interview. References will be required and there will be a trial period. Volunteers will have regular supervision and training. Travel expenses will be paid.

Interested in applying or have a few questions? Contact us on 07436 093 170 or atvolunteer@grace-eyre.org.

Car Free Highway Opens in Germany

Germany has opened the first three-mile stretch of a bicycle highway that will eventually span over 62 miles, connecting 10 western cities including Duisburg, Bochum, and Hamm, as well as four universities.

Read more at 

 http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/1467/Germany-Opens-62-Mile-Bicycle-Highway-That-s-Completely-Car-Free

Bison Beer v Burger King: A Crowdfunding Campaign for Brighton

On Friday 27th November was the start date of Bison Beer's Crowdfunding campaign. Bison Beer are a small bottleshop very show walk away from Brighton Beach, stocking beers from around the world.

http://bisonbeer.co.uk

Their crowdfunding campaign is to revive the derelict site Clarendon Mansions at 80 East Street, Brighton and turn it in The Bison Arms, which will be created and run by a local collective of small business owners in Brighton & Hove

www.thebisonarms.co.uk

One of the big reasons for this appeal is to stop Burger King from taking over this site, and turning it into another one of their restaurants. Local residents have expressed concerns about this effecting the character of the Brighton Lanes. A online petition was started to keep Burger King out of the lanes, and achieved 3,000 names in just 4 hours, and got over 11,500 names in total.

The character of Brighton Lanes (and the North Laine) is all about local businesses, small shops and businesses, which create a unique shopping experience and makes it different from the typical highstreet, where it is just chain stores.

The crowdfunding appeal means that investors big and small from the local community can contribute to this project, and have a stake in a business which will grow (as well as other stakeholder benefits such as discount!)

As well as Bison Beer working with local breweries for craft beers and real ales, the plan would be to have the design and look of the interiors worked on by local artists and creatives 

Check out the crowdfunding appeal www.thebisonarms.co.uk

Goodmoney Gift Vouchers helping you to #switchlocal

One of the big things I like to promote is for people to #shoplocal to support local businesses, to support independent shops, designers, galleries and makers. You may have seen my blogs on supporting local designers on Christmas Cards, Christmas Gifts etc.

One group who is trying to encourage people to shop local is Goodmoney CIC, a Brighton based social enterprise, who's vision is to find alternative ways of exchanging value within the community. 

They have created a gift voucher that links up independent local businesses to create a more exciting choice of gifts and experiences than high street gift vouchers. Which would allow local businesses get a larger share of the estimated £5 billion spent in the UK each year on gift vouchers and gift cards.

To understand how Goodmoney Gift Vouchers work watch this video www.goodmoney.co.uk/video/

You can buy Goodmoney Gift Vouchers either online or at City Books, or at hiSbe Food CIC

To find out more about Goodmoney visit their website at www.goodmoney.co.uk

There is a wide range of Brighton businesses which accept Goodmoney Gift Vouchers including

(N + 1) Cycle Cafe &Workshop
Bang & Olusfen of Brighton & Hove
Bison Beer
Boho Gelato
Brighton Toy and Model Museum
City Books
Dynamite Gallery
Foodshed co-op
hiSbe Food CIC
Little Beach Boutique
My Slice Pizza
Present in the Laine
Sew Chic Brighton
Stoneham Bakehouse

and lots more 

Brighton could be looking at a new currency. GoodMoney is a local gift voucher scheme and social enterprise based in Brighton aiming to help local businesses, charities and community organisations achieve more. Latest TV's James Lillywhite reports.

#CookandCreche A FoodShed Brighton Project

Foodshed Brighton, is an new social enterprise in the Brighton Open Market. An educational Food Hub working with local producers and community projects in and around Brighton & Hove

A project run by the Foodshed Co-op in association with the Salvation Army Brighton.

It is a 6 week cookery course with a crèche  provided.

The cost and availability of childcare is often a barrier to education for many parents, especially those on a low income or in receipt of benefits.

Cook & Crèche will target social isolation, peer to peer support and skill-sharing between adults and widen children's early experiences of new foods and healthy eating. 
The course entry fee costs £3.50 per family per week materials and crèche included.

We need to raise £2000 to make this course happen and sponsoring a family will help with our fundraising efforts and every little helps.

If you would like to attend the course please get in touch
email: foodshedcourses@gmail.com

If you would like to sponsor a family to attend please click their sponsor button on their website

The @JudiDoodleCat Crowdfunding Campagin

See the Go Funding Me Campagin by Judi Doodle Cat, who create body doodling events. 

Go Funding Me is a crowdfunding site, which doesn't require you to have goals or deadlines. 

See Judi Doodle Cat's Campagin below 

https://www.gofundme.com/h7nbcz8w

Many of you will have heard of, if not experienced, the ludicrous mayhem and legendary silliness of The Playpen, and world-famous-in-Brighton Bodydoodling. Some of you will not. (There are vid links for you!) 

I invented these things whilst playing, and with them and the people who stumble into them, I make art happenings that centre on play. 

The art of play is one with which we all were born . Many of us have forgotten how, but play has not lost its power just because we are adults. Aimless play allows us to relax, reconnect, laugh with our whole bodies, experience our bodies as Art and without shame, revert to childhood innocence and in that place, often, remember that we are creative because we are Human, not because we have a talent.
Art is the birthright of our species.

I long to get the money together to fund the purchase of a Playbus - a vehicle capable of taking the Doodlecats on tour around this country. Spreading the love, the silliness, the fun and the GLITTER; breaking down barriers and providing an antidote to Austerity.  The figure £25000 is a dream number, not unattainable I'm sure, but certainly we could do many things with less if we had to. In part the figure takes into account that
I believe in paid work, and I want to pay the artists who work with me. And I want what we offer to be free at the point of delivery. 
I hope that if we can get the bus and the first tour funded, with your help, we will be in a position to apply for Arts Council funding to continue into the future.
If you believe that joy can save lives, like I do, please give generously. As silly as it all is, it is a truly transformative and healing thing too. It deserves to live, and it needs your help to grow.  

Why To Vote for Parkhall Business Centre in Time Out's LoveLondonAwards

Time Out have their annual Love London Awards, which is all about celebrating great places to eat, shop, grab a coffee, etc. The voting is split into different neighbours and different categories in each of these areas. You can vote for one business in each category so plenty to vote for.

www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/the-time-out-love-london-awards

And one of the people I recommend voting for is Parkhall Business Centre, in the Dulwich / West Norwood area, so click on the link below and click vote for Parkhall (you have to register to vote)

www.timeout.com/london/lovelondonawards#/vote/dulwich-and-east-dulwich/shops

And if you want to know why to vote for Parkhall Business Centre read on

Parkhall Business Centre is home to so many great businesses, and I will be listing some below, highlighting the many great products available online, the great workshops / courses which are run, and the popups which take place there

First one to start off with is

Anorak 

A British Brand with it's heart planted firmly in the great outdoors. Using striking silhouettes to bring a touch of fun to homewares and outdoor lifestyle accessories. You can buy online, and they are holding a sample sale at Parkhall on the 30th/31st. For details click HERE 

http://www.anorakonline.co.uk

Volcano Coffee Works 

Not only is the Volcano Coffee Works cafe in Parkhall, serving their incredible coffee, great food (including Rococo Chocolates, more on that later!), you can also buy their coffee beans there. Volcano who have their roastery at Parkhall produce a range of gourmet small batch specialty coffee. Sourcing the worlds finest coffees to design blends for espresso & exceptional seasonal coffees perfect for filer coffee. All the coffees are crafted using restored and tweaked vintage coffee roasters. Coffee is available to buy for the home, as well as wholesale and supplies cafes and coffee shops.

http://volcanocoffeeworks.com

Rigby & Mac

The online sibling of three award-winning family run London lifestyle stores, the dulwich trader, ed and tomlinsons. Rigby & Mac offer unique range of home decor, great selection of tableware, home accessories, lighting, kitchenware, mirrors and small furniture. Perfect place for gifts like below

https://www.rigbyandmac.com

Rococo Chocolates

If you love chocolate, and who doesn't then you need to check out Rococo, who have several shops around London (and one in Chester). Parkhall is their chocolate factory, and you can buy bars from the Volcano Cafe 

http://www.rococochocolates.com

Tilly and the Buttons

Treat yourself to sewing workshops with Tilly and the Buttons, learn dress making in their bright and inspiring studio within Parkhall. Workshops are 6-8 Max, so you will meet like-minded people in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Tilly also offers online workshops on her website, where you can also purchase sewing patterns & her book

http://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com

GAS Gallery

GAS is a gallery, agency and consultancy that works with a select pool of artists and designers to product limited edition prints and original art works. Not only are they based at Parkhall, they have held popup sales here

http://www.gasart.co.uk

Floppy Toast

Design studio creating original digital prints of very limited runs, ensuring your home will be as individual as you are

www.floppytoast.com

Martin West Bespoke Art Services

Now you have your art, you need it framing, and the best person to do this is Martin West, who is  the official recommended framer of the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as offering a full served bespoke service to design and create the ideal picture frame to display your artwork, 

http://www.mwframing.co.uk

Makelight

Inspiring, practical photography workshops in their studio at Parkhall is what it is all about. Makelight is Emily Quentin, author of the book Maker Spaces. They offer both online and in person workshops, all about helping creatives improve their photography enabling them to communicate in a visual manner on social media mediums such as Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook & Etsy.

https://www.makelight.io

Centrepunch

Fancy learning how to make jewellery, then check out Centrepunch, who offer everything from short courses to bespoke training, to mentoring and support for people wanting to get into the jewellery industry. All delivered from their workshop at Parkhall. Centrepunch also have several jewellery popups through the year at Parkhall, showing the excellent work done there.

http://www.centrepunch.co.uk

Claudi & Fin

Delicious Greek style frozen yoghurts currently available in strawberry & mango, and available from supermarkets such as Sainsburys, Waitrose, Ocado & Budgens. Claudi & Fin HQ is at Parkhall, and in fact the lollies were part of a recent #BeersAndLollies event there and went down very well

http://www.claudiandfin.co.uk

Fast Forward Time

Online reeler of all types of camera equipment from audio, dollies, DSLR rigs, jibs & cranes, lighting, monitors, stabilisers as well as tripods & stands.

http://www.fastforwardtime.co.uk

Vini Italiani

Operate a store & wine bar in West London, as well having online & wholesale. All about highlighting the great wines Italy has to offer

http://italianwines.com

And a few more

Dulwich Vinters - An online wine retailer, as well having their own wine shop in East Dulwich http://www.dulwichvintners.co.uk

Louise Taylor Flowers - Florist www.louisetaylorflowers.co.uk

Bopster - Online retailer of video games, consoles and toys. www.bopster.eu

Vapefiend - The Vaporiser Specialists www.vapefiend.co.uk

Hello Geronimo - Button or Badge Collages & Prints available online or in stores www.hellogeronimo.com 

Fancy Moon - Online fabric, sewing and haberdashery shop  www.fancymoon.co.uk 

Graphical Sign - Specialists in large format digital printing www.graphicalsign.co.uk  

Sport Photo Gallery - Massive collection of sport photography, which can be purchased as prints, framed, canvas, acrylics. Everything from Rugby, Cricket, Golf, Football and many more www.sportphotogallery.com

Spare Chair Sunday - Contact the Elderly Campaign

Did you know a third of people over the age of 70 in the UK eat alone every day

So The Bisto Together Project and the charity Contact the Elderly have teamed up together to form Spare Chair Sunday

See below for details about what Spare Chair Sunday is about

Sunday lunch should be a time of togetherness. The one meal we all look forward to, where we sit down with friends and family for good food and good times. Yet for 1 in 7 older people, it’s the loneliest time of the week. 

So The Bisto Together Project and national charity Contact the Elderly have joined forces to create Spare Chair Sunday. A project that allows people to offer up a spare chair at their Sunday Lunch to an older person who would otherwise be eating alone.

For just a couple of hours of your time, you could make someone’s day. And of course, there’s nothing better than sharing some good food, great tales, and laughter around the table! If you can spare a chair at your table and host a meal, we’d love to hear from you. To sign up click here

http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/news/a-third-of-people-over-the-age-of-70-in-the-uk-eat-alone-every-day

Earthship Brighton - Crowdfunding appeal

Earthship Brighton have a crowdfunding appeal going on with 

 https://www.buzzbnk.org/EarthshipBrighton

Earthship Brighton is the sustainable community centre for Stanmer Organics. This is a not-for-profit consortium representing 15 different groups operating at Stanmer Park, a 17 acre Soil Association accredited piece of land on the outskirts of Brighton. Earthship Brighton is the first project of the Low Carbon Trust, a not-for-profit co-operative company formed in 2001 to highlight the connection between buildings, the carbon emissions they produce and climate change through innovative construction projects and communications work. 

Earthship Brighton, the first in England, is a beautiful structure made from recycled car tyres and sustainably sourced timber with adobe walls. We have a large glazed area which is south facing to maximise passive solar gain and solar water heating panels on the roof to provide hot water. Our electricity comes from photo-voltaics and a wind turbine and all our water is harvested from the rain. With our grey water being treated with planters and a reed-bed system for our black water, plus composting toilets, we will be able to recycle all of our human waste on site. The Earthship therefore gives us a glimpse of a luxury low carbon future - how a zero waste and zero energy society might look. 

Inside the building there is a meeting room which can seat around 40 people theatre-style plus kitchen facilities and a relaxing atrium area. There is also an outside space that will increase seating capacity for events to 100. The Low Carbon Trust gives regular tours of the Earthship and we also offer training in low and zero carbon design and provide consultancy to community groups, companies and individuals all around the UK to seed and develop their own projects.

The Rucksack Project: 2015

The Rucksack Project is not a charitable organisation but a movement, which has spread across the world born out of a simple idea to help people sleeping rough on the streets during the cold winter months.

Anyone can help, anyone can take part as the project is all about helping the many doing a little thing to make a big difference in the world.

It is a very simple idea:
Go to charity shops
Get a rucksack, sleeping bag, flask, spoon, gloves, hat, fleece, undies, socks and extra food
Take it out and give it to a homeless person

Check the Rucksack Project website for more details as well as details about events happening 

www.rucksackproject.org

Brighton Event - Nov 21st 2015 - Click Here for their Facebook page

Shoreham Farmers Market

Visited the Shoreham Farmers Market today.  Lots of great food people there, and a few on the crafts side, well worth checking out. See photos below

Is a Sustainable Future Worth A Conversation?

I was recently sent an interesting article by Art in Brighton about a group called 10:10 Brighton & Hove and about a project they have set up called The C-Side Challenge

The C-Side Project is all about helping people reduce their environmental impact, take steps against climate change, and be able to make informed travel and purchasing decisions. 

They are running a free course, which started end of Sept and is run on evening and weekends.

http://www.brightonandhove1010.org/is-a-sustainable-future-worth-a-conversation/

What is it?
Brighton Peace and Environment Centre are running a series of workshops to help local communities be the change they wish to see, with the award-winning intervention called ‘Carbon Conversations’.

Join a small group of 6-8 people to explore responses to climate change and sustainability from a different approach.

Our two courses are being run at The Bevy or The Hop and Vine.

What are Carbon Conversations?
The meet ups will create a non-judgemental atmosphere where individuals are encouraged to make serious lifestyle changes. The groups offer:
·    A friendly, safe and supportive space to discuss your thoughts and emotions about the impact of climate change.
·    Practical support to develop your own plans as to how you want to go about making changes to your lifestyle, in a way that fits with your values and that you feel comfortable with.
·    A friendly group atmosphere, where participants support each other to make changes and feel enabled.
·    Support from local trained facilitators to help you develop leadership and practical skills to inspire others do the same.

What is the aim?
Through guided discussion, participants will improve confidence in their abilities to develop a sustainable lifestyle that align with their personal values.

Why participate?
Participants of the Carbon Conversations will learn about climate change basics, ideas for a low-carbon future and chat on four key areas of your footprint – home energy, travel, food and consumption. Each person will also receive a handbook, entitled, ‘In Time for Tomorrow‘ which has received rave reviews from some impressive climate champions:

 “This lovely handbook covers it all…reckons honestly with the psychological impacts of a crisis that is far too easy for many of us to deny in our everyday lives…”
Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything and The Shock Doctrine.

“…truly remarkable…provides a framework for people to share the real reasons why they act the way they do…explores the landscape of hope…”          
George Marshall, author of Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change

So why not be part of this innovative city-wide behaviour change initiative, funded by Brighton and Hove City Counciland delivered by Brighton Peace and Environment Centre and Brighton and Hove 10:10.

There is a choice of weekend OR evening events and you would need to attend all sessions where possible. Please email your name, address and contact details to projects@bpec.org or call 07979 321 998 to find out more, or register your interest.

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Past participant quotes:‘Practical’…’Inspiring’…’Empowering’…’Enabling’…’ You can take things at your own pace’

Course dates
Evening events being held at The Hop and Vine, Fiveways – THIS IS NOW FULL
Tuesday 29th, September, 7.00-9.00
Wednesday 14th, October, 7.00-9.00
Tuesday 27th, October, 7.00-9.00
Tuesday 10th November, 7.00-9.00
Tuesday 24th November, 7.00-9.00
Tuesday 8th December, 7.00-9.00

Weekend events being held at The Bevy, Bevendean

Saturday, 10th October, 11.00-3.30
Saturday, 24th October, 11.00-3.30
Saturday, 7th November, 11.00-3.30

City Reuse Depot Urgently Needs Your Help

The City Reuse Depot did a Crowdfunder.co.uk campaign earlier this year and raised over £11k to set up a Reuse centre in Brighton, using 8 shipping containers. 

Due to issues with finding these shipping containers a permanent home, they are currently in a temporary space and need to be moved ASAP

Can you help to (urgently) find land or a building in Brighton and Hove?

Land requirements for shipping containers

• Vehicle access to site (preferably 7 days a week)
• Level or able to be levelled site.
• Each container needs minimum 7.5m x 2.5m x 2.5m of space.
• 8 shipping containers need minimum  7.5m x 20m but ideally 12m x 32m (height requirement is 2.5m)
• Within city boundaries (Shoreham to Saltdean and between coast and A27)
• some sites will require special permissions for the containers - this needs to be in place already as it takes time and money to get those permissions...and we do not have time on our side.

Or Buildings that could used as a CRD (in the event that we sell all the containers)

• Ground level access to space ina building 
• Easy vehicle access
• Preferably ‘open space’ as opposed to rooms or complex layouts
• Weatherproof
• does not have to have electricity (though it would be nice)
• Within city boundaries (Shoreham to Saltdean and between coast and A27)
• agricultural or industrial buildings most likely options

The greatest priority is to find land THIS WEEK so containers can be moved THIS MONTH.

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/city-reuse-depot

https://www.facebook.com/CityReuseDepot

The Real Junk Food Project

The Real Junk Food Project is a collaborative effort between catering professionals and activists to bring about a radical change in our food system. Our first step to achieve this challenging task is to intercept perfectly edible food that would otherwise not make it to plate and serve it as meals in the café or distribute it through our food boutique.

As well as the positive environmental impacts of reducing edible food waste the project also has clear social benefits through operating a strictly Pay-as-you-feel (PAYF) policy .

PAYF offers an alternative to the conventional the payment system as there is no price on any produce of the café. Our system transcends monetary transactions and liberates people to use their skills and attributes as well as money to pay for their meals.

Furthermore, we aim to highlight the absurdity that the produce we use has been stripped of its monetary value but still retains its nutritional value. By making people think about what they wish to contribute for their meals, the idea is to get society thinking about how they value food as a resource.

So why does this need to happen?

It is estimated that 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted globally each year, this amounts to nearly 40% of global production, this occurs for a multitude of reasons that vary between regions. In the U.K studies have shown that we waste over 15 million tons of edible food annually due to stringent and confusing food safety legislation. We argue that these laws need to be revised and people need to relearn the common sense practices that were used until and during the Second World War.

Founders and co-directors Adam Smith and Johanna Hewitt started The Real Junk Food Project on the banks of the River Yarrow in Melbourne, using the pay-by-the-minute barbeques to cook up whatever waste food they could lay their hands on. During their time in Australia they witnessed the scale of the food waste scandal. At the same time three of the would-be co-directors were also discovering for themselves the scale of commercial food waste in Adam’s hometown of Leeds through the freegan lifestyle, sustaining themselves and a cohort of other friends from supermarket bins during their time studying in Leeds.

Adam and Johanna realised that something needed to be done. After seeking advice from friends, Adam resolved that he needed to start the process of global change by first changing his hometown. The fact that the couple were now expecting their first child compounded the move back to Leeds to pursue their mission.

On their return to the north of England Adam was lucky to find people who believed in him and his ideas, and in late December was offered access to a struggling community kitchen in Armley, an area of Leeds renowned for high rates of poverty, drug abuse and crime. After hearing about Adam’s project in a local food activist meeting Sam, Conor and Edd (unfortunately no longer involved in the project) met Adam in order to offer him some carrots and parsnips they had reclaimed from a skip, which he gladly exchanged for tofu and crisps, in true PAYF stlye!

From its trial period in December 2013 where Adam and Johanna cooked Christmas dinner for the homeless population of Leeds the café has gone from strength to strength and is now open seven days a week serving meals to a wide demographic of people including three time Tour de France champion Greg Lemond during his stay in Leeds for the Grand Départ. The café is staffed by an enthusiastic team of local volunteers who are the life and soul of the project, without these wonderful individuals the project would not be possible. The concept is not restricted to Armley and other cafes are popping up in other parts of Leeds as well as other cities, all these efforts will be supported by a charitable trust serving as a network.

#fridayheroes @goodgym Blog 2nd Oct 2015

This is the first post in my revamped #fridayheroes series. Now using this blog instead of Twitter it allows me a few more words to express why you should be following these people

1st pick was the easiest, it's The Good Gym, these were the people who laid the seeds of an idea of doing good, which led me to develop Bright Green Penguin

For anyone who doesn't know Good Gym is all about combing keeping fit & doing good by completing tasks such as digging up the soil, clearing weeds etc

It is based on 3 things: Group Runs, Solo Runs to Your Good Gym Coach, & Special Missions 

I first found out about Good Gym, when it was just a small group of runners, with a base from York Hall, Bethnal Green. My first group run was 14th Feb 2011. Now it has expanded all over London, with runs in Islington, Camden, Brent, Lambeth, Hackney & many more (and I'm sure they have plans for even more). There is also Good Gym Bristol

See Good Gym blog post from 2011 about the group runs we did

http://www.thegoodgym.org/blog/page/3/

The main thing for me, the reason why I think it is so important org to follow & support is because of the Coach Runs

The Coach Runs are runs where you are paired with an isolated elderly person, who is your coach. You then run to them on a regular basis, to check on them to see how they are

I was paired with Millie, an isolated lady based in Whitechapel. When I first saw her, she was in hospital for a short period of time. Then I ran weekly to her house, where at first it was just a quick hello but as the friendship developed with Millie, you can tell she wanted to chat, she loved to chat so would end up spending at least 30 mins or more chatting. I would sometimes drop off fruit sometimes on my run but Millie always made me take an orange home with me

These coach runs were the highlight of the week for me, the reason to run & I can't underestimate the impact on my life this had. So it was a really sad thing when Millie passed away, especially as the last few months of running to her was when she was back in hospital & not responsive. I still talked to her, no idea if she could hear me or not, but I hope she could & that provided her some comfort & joy

So I really recommend Good Gym, as it is gives you a real reason to run. The group runs are fun, great team working 

So many great memories, so it was with sadness I had to stop doing Good Gym when I came down to Brighton, but there are potential plans for one down here & that be amazing 

if you interested in knowing more check out  

www.goodgym.org

Final fun facts  

Because of Good Gym, I got to appear in Runners World Magazine, be interviewed for Japenese TV & appear on live radio show to talk about the Good Gym

Thank you Good Gym

Garage Sale Trail UK - Sat 26th Sept

This Saturday is The Garage Sale Trail in Brighton, Hackney & Todmorden

A great opportunity for both picking up a bargain and help the environment, as it stops stuff from going into landfill

"Don't Dump It, Sell It" was the motto of two friends in Sydney Australia in 2010, and now it has come to the UK. 

People have been registering for FREE to host a sale, so check it out https://garagesaletrail.co.uk and see where to visit. On the website you can see all the different people selling, and even create your own trail.

Below are a few examples of the sales happening on Sat 26th Sept

Craft & Jumble
7 am - 5 pm
15 Upper Gardener Street, BN1 4AN
What's For Sale - Hand crafted gifts from Christmas decorations to children's clothes, plus craft supplies (wool and embroidery silks). Also pre-loved clothes and outgrown toys, all at bargain prices!
https://garagesaletrail.co.uk/sale/craft-and-jumble

Keep Calm and Come To Our Garage Sale
11 am - 2 pm
5 Frederick Steet, BN1 4TA
What's For Sale - Homemade cakes, lots of beautiful brand new Usborne books as well as some books the vendor has written herself. Baby and children's products including a travel crib, moses basket, Quinny travel system, Maxi-Cosi car seat, breastfeeding cushions, baby and boys clothes, a brand new child's scooter, maternity wear, womanswear and gifts.
https://garagesaletrail.co.uk/sale/keep-calm-and-come-our-garage-sale

Studio Loo - Design, Salvage and Other Random Things
10 am - 4:30 pm
201 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5JA
What's For Sale - design, architecture and interior magazines and books, prints, posters, homewares, furniture and other random pieces of salvaged stuff
https://garagesaletrail.co.uk/sale/studio-loo-design-salvage-and-other-random-things

Let me know what sales you go to, and what bargains you get