On Saturday 11th April (11am – 1pm) Planet Earth Needs Our Help1 held its first Environmental Information Exchange at the Poole Environmental Wellbeing Hub2 (Parkstone United Reformed Church3, Commercial Road, Parkstone BH14 0JW),
The event was held in collaboration with Parkstone United Reformed Church, Poole Community Exchange2, East Dorset Friends of the Earth5 and Sustainable Dorset.
A very big thank you to our co-hosts, presenters and attendees (from a range of backgrounds) for making this important event, a success.
Attendees heard a series of inspiring presentations:
- Jennifer Morisetti from Sustainable Dorset4 outlined their work across Dorset and BCP. She talked about sustainable fashion workshops, the Green Living Project, Eco schools, textile networks and Green women’s gatherings.
- Cressida Stevens of Dorset Wildlife Trust4, explained the work of Dorset’s largest conservation group, which has some 27,000 members. She described the Trust’s rewilding project at Woodbury Farm, (Bere Regis), the Living Churchyards scheme and also stressed how we can all create opportunities for wildlife in our own gardens. She explained the Trust’s current appeal to raise funds for the purchase of a vital portion of Upton Heath.
- Helen Thomas, representing Tailoresque4, described the impact of fast fashion, and advocated a more sustainable approach to clothes – repairing and reusing fabrics, and shopping for durable and low-polluting designs. She was supported by Siobhan Mitchell from Repair Cafe4, who talked about the regular repair workshops throughout BCP. Siobhan also outlined plans for a Tool Library, for people to borrow equipment and save on the costs of DIY.
The event stimulated lively questions and discussion amongst the participants, which carried on during refreshments. Some attendees then had a guided tour of the extensive facilities and activities at the church.
Notes:
- Planet Earth Needs Our Help This project began in 2015, as a children’s book, written and illustrated by local artist and author Marylyn Cropley. The website contains full details of the project, with free, downloadable resources for schools, families and community groups: worksheets, activity sheets, project ideas, resources and helpful links to other organisations and sources. https://planetearthneedsourhelp.com/
- Poole Environmental Wellbeing Hub This is an exciting partnership between Planet Earth Needs Our Help and Poole Community Exchange centred in the Dickinson Hall, at Parkstone United Reformed Church. It is built around a permanent exhibition of the “Planet Earth Needs Our Help” Project. https://planetearthneedsourhelp.com/poole-environmental-wellbeing-hub-launch-16th-october-2024/ The Hub can be booked for environmental/wellbeing activities that can use the exhibition of the book, with explanations of the Science Behind the story, supporting information and links to other useful organisations. This resource can complement environmental activities, wellbeing sessions, meetings, training and social events organised by others. The space is bookable through the Church.
- The Poole Community Exchange, offers the Pantry and Living Room, with free advice, support, and counselling, and activities for children and families. https://poolecommunityexchange.org.uk/
- Parkstone United Reformed Church provides a range of facilities. It has a variety of meeting spaces for community groups. https://parkstoneurc.co.uk/
- Sustainable Dorset aims to raise awareness and so increase interest and involvement in sustainability. “We connect people and communities, supporting individual well-being, community enterprises and businesses in order to nurture resilience. We bring together sustainable activities across the region and showcase to the residents of Dorset what is being achieved.” https://www.sustainabledorset.org/
- Tailoresque “We do a lot of garment repair, rework, dressmaking and alterations and work as sustainably as we can.” Fast fashion involves over production which produces 10% of the global greenhouse gasses. It is the runner up behind oil and gas extraction and production. It consumes more energy than the world’s aviation and shipping combined. It encourages throw-away lifestyles, causing micro plastic pollution and is intensive in its use of water. https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/dorset/24405193.creating-sustainable-fashion-tailoresque-poole
- Dorset Wildlife Trust “Together with our 27,000 members, our volunteers and supporters, we are Dorset’s largest nature conservation charity. We work to champion wildlife and natural places on our 42 nature reserves and through our work with other conservation organisations.” https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/
- Repair Café “Bournemouth Repair Café mainly deal with household electrical appliances like kettles, lamps, electric tools, hairdryers, etc, but have also given many items of clothing a new lease of life. In addition, we have also mended miscellaneous items of furniture and ornaments. We have PAT testing equipment present at our events and will have multiple members of the volunteer team trained and ready in this area. We continue to expand in scope, recruiting more volunteers and fixing more items.” https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeBH/?locale=en_GB
- East Dorset Friends of The Earth is part of the largest global environmental action network. Since 1972, it has campaigned tirelessly to reduce pollution, save natural habitats, conserve energy, promote renewables and to encourage planning decisions which put local people and the environment at the forefront https://eastdorsetfriendsoftheearth.org.uk
