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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

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Planet Earth Needs Our Help, popped in at the end of the day to congratulate Andy & the volunteers at the Chestnut Nursery – Plants and Minds in Poole, on celebrating their 25^th Anniversary.

Great news…The Chestnut Nursery in Poole will continue to stock my book “Planet Earth Needs Our Help” and some of my cards in their shops. All proceeds will be donated to “Plants & Minds”.

You can view/purchase the book and support this amazing and much-needed charity at the Chestnut Nursery by visiting the shop on your travels to Poole!

chestnutnursery.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/chestnutnurserypoole

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“Planet Earth Needs Our Help”, Poole Community Exchange, East Dorset Friends of the Earth & Sustainable Dorset…

Invite you to our first “Environmental Information Exchange” event.

at the Environmental Wellbeing Hub – Dickinson Hall Parkstone United Reformed Church BH14 OJW

Saturday 11 April 2026 (11am-1pm)

The aim of this event:

• to invite BCP environmental groups, teachers, librarians, Eco-Church leaders, community groups, MPs, Councillors and BCP staff to meet informally; 
• to offer a regular opportunity to share information, resources, activities;
• to get to know each other, and offer mutual/emotional support around environment and wellbeing issues in BCP.

The first hour will be set aside for people to book a “showcase” slot (15-20 minutes), to talk about projects and share what they are currently doing.

The showcases at the initial event will include the hosts.

The second hour will be for refreshments* and informal “mingling”. 

We will request donations to cover the cost of hiring the Hall.

* Light refreshments are provided – please bring your own if you prefer.

There is limited car parking available by the church, with more in surrounding areas, including the public car park in nearby Ashley cross. On main bus routes

NB Please register interest and contact details to book a free place here;

Please also say if you are interested in offering a “showcase” slot at this event or at future events.

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Parkstone United Reformed Church – 16 Commercial Road Poole – BH14 0JW

I am interested in attending this event:

• Yes
• No
• Maybe

I cannot attend this event and would like to be informed of future events:

• Yes
• No

I am attending:

• As an individual
• As a representative of…(enter below)

like interested I

As a representative of… (if applicable above)

I am interested in making a short presentation about the work of my

• organisation (10-15 minutes)…
• Website details (if any)...(enter below)

Website details (if any)... (if applicable above)

Do you have any access or support needs?

(NB The Dickinson Hall is only accessible by steps (approx. 6 steps)

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone number (optional)

Submit

Thank you for your interest.

Marylyn

“Planet Earth Needs Our Help”

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“Christmas should be a time of celebration, for our lives, families, communities and our beautiful Planet.  But for many people it can be a time of stress: never more so now, with a rising cost of living, rising levels of poverty and ill health, and an environment suffering climate change, pollution of our air, seas and rivers, growing piles of plastic waste, and wide-scale damage to the natural world.

Imagine a Christmas that is different, where the focus is on family, good food and meaningful giving. That is what we mean by doing Christmas differently – less cost, less stress and gifts of time and love, not unnecessary, expensive over-consumption. (Dr Martin Price)”

Here’s a video of our event and some ideas and suggestions, I hope you find it helpful!

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The Hub is intended to provide a focus for community activities which seek to promote personal and environmental well-being in the local area. The space will provide opportunities for community groups and individuals to explore creative ways to make positive changes for individuals, communities and the environment. Marylyn’s story and related activities will be freely available for use in the hub, and can be used as a springboard to prompt further creative ideas, sessions and events by anyone using the space.The Hub will be bookable, for a negotiated fee.  It is hoped to develop further activities, in cooperation with like-minded groups and individuals who want to explore ways to foster personal and environmental well- being.

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