Positive Movements
A welcome home How befriending is helping refugees in Bristol to build new lives + Politics and the digital revolution Ways to create an eco-friendly home Filling plates and feeding success
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INT R O D U C TION
Copyright is a new quarterly publication intent on celebrating positive news, grass-roots activism & ethical living in and around Bristol.
Issue 2 Autumn 2015
Cover image Reece Pickering
Managing Editors Kieron Allen Chris Chapman
Editor Kieron Allen
Art Editor Chris Chapman
Contributors Ben Fowkes Blanca Munoz Ella Edwards Jenny Hardy Reece Pickering
Advertising Katrina Hoey Alex Hood
Thank you Jenny Faulkner
Well Made Media Unit 13 The Coach House 2 Upper York Street Bristol BS2 8QN
copyrightmagazine.uk Facebook/copyrightmagazine @copyrightmag
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
INT R O D U C TION
Forward W
inter’s on its way. We’re already keeping the office windows closed and putting hot chocolate on the shopping list. But with the cold nights and early sunsets comes issue two of Copyright. We’ve been busy over the past three months, speaking to inspiring people and discovering innovative ways to create a more sustainable society.
4. Opinion: Mike Birkin
In this issue, we introduce b.friend (page 12), an amazing volunteer organisation helping refugees in the city by offering the gift of companionship. Hear stories from two sets of friends and discover how the experience is shaping all of their lives.
24. Surprising sustainable solutions
6. The digital revolution 12. Making a connection 18. Organic entrepreneurs 28. Upcoming events 30. Volunteering opportunities
We investigate the ingenious ways you can make your home more eco-friendly (page 24), surprising solutions that don’t cost a fortune and are easy to achieve. A visit to The Community Farm in Chew Magna (page 18) reveals how an impressive, dedicated team are not only supplying organic produce to the masses, but encouraging the next generation of young farmers - and all as a not-for-profit organisation. We discuss how digital democracy (page 6) is changing the face of global politics and discover it’s roots right here in Bristol. Take a look at our volunteer page for the latest vacancies and make it your New Years resolution to get involved, Happy reading!
Kieron Allen Editor
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
Have an idea for a story? Tell us all about it by contacting: editorial@copyrightmagazine.uk
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O P INION
Mike Birkin
The Hinkley debate mike birkin Friends of the earth campaigner
Mike Birkin gives Copyright his views
I
t’s not often that a government
it on the Somerset coast for 100 years
policy succeeds in uniting the
or more while it cools down. Given the
Financial Times, the Guardian, Boris
serial mismanagement of Britain’s existing
Johnson, HSBC, a former head of the
nuclear waste sites and their staggering
on the government’s
civil service, Jonathon Porritt and Lord
costs - over £70 billion for the Sellafield
latest plans for the
Howell, the former Conservative energy
site in Cumbria - the best legacy must
minister who is now also George Osborne’s
surely be for the Hinkley C project to
Hinkley Point C
father-in-law. These are just a few of the
collapse before any nuclear fuel is ever
more conspicuous voices queuing up
put in it.
nuclear power station
to denounce the Hinkley Point deal. The government wants this to be the first new
There is a sad contrast too between
nuclear plant in a generation and appears
the government’s slavish devotion to
increasingly reckless in its pursuit.
nuclear energy and its increasing hostility towards the energy supplies that most
Of course it’s a shockingly bad deal:
people actually want - renewables. The
potentially the most expensive building
government has just finished consulting
project in our history, committing bill
on a plan to cut subsidies for solar by 87
payers to electricity at twice the current
per cent, a move that the industry says
market rate (index-linked) for 35 years, and
puts 30,000 jobs at risk. Defending this,
inviting Chinese state-owned companies
Energy minister Andrea Ledsom claimed,
to build another nuclear station of
‘I don’t think anyone here would advocate
their own in Essex as a sweetener. And
an industry that only survives because of
who am I to disagree with all those
a subsidy paid by the billpayer.’ The next
informed commentators?
day it emerged that the government had quietly admitted the abandonment of the
It’s a pity though that not more of them
previous policy of no public subsidy for
have seen fit to question the dubious moral
nuclear power. Such a policy was only ever
legacy of Hinkley C. If it ever starts up (and
a fiction. But it is hard to see any logic in
no contract has yet been signed despite
continuing to prop up an energy source
all the shouting) it will create waste that
that has only got more expensive over 60
we do not know how to store, nor do we
years of public support, while moving to
know how much it will cost to do so. But
strangle solar energy which has seen a
what is known is that it is planned to store
rapid and sustained decrease in costs.
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
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5
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6
F E AT U R E
T H E D I G I TA L R E VO L U T I O N
The digital revolution WORDS
Ben Fowkes
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
T H E D I G I TA L R E VO L U T I O N
F E AT U R E
With ministers being held to account through e-petitions and technology fueling a new age of people power, Ben Fowkes explains how digital democracy is changing the global political landscape
O
ur democracy is changing. New digital technologies and the forms of participation they promote are beginning to erode and supersede the traditional
idea of the representative democracy that we’ve become accustomed to. The last general election neatly outlined both the problem and hope for the future - politicians largely don’t represent the hopes and aspirations of citizens anymore and the voting system is skewed in favour of the major parties; all of this against a back-drop of a surge of political interest. This is where digital democracy presents an opportunity for change. The question then has to be - what the hell is digital democracy? The two words in question are familiar to all, but it’s also somewhat of a catch all term to describe organisations, digital tools and grass-roots movements that make use of the internet in some way to improve and influence our democracy by challenging, scrutinising or participating in democratic processes. I work in the latter field, helping governments harness the internet to connect citizens to decision making. Digital democracy, in my understanding of the term, is about shaping decisions that affect our lives on an ongoing basis rather than merely expressing a preference every so often for a candidate you might not particularly like.
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
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F E AT U R E
the digital r evolutio n
“Our democracy is changing;
Digital democracy has been around for as long as the internet with pioneers like Delib, the company I work for, and others having been
new digital technologies
created at the dawn of this century. Bristol has been one of the key
are beginning to erode and
country as a whole. Bristol leads the world, providing a test bed
supersede the traditional idea of the representative democracy”
centres for this movement, not just in the South West, or even the for initiatives that have been applied to governments in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand; in fact pretty much anywhere that understands the power of the internet to strengthen their democracies. I appreciate this all sounds a little esoteric, perhaps not terribly tangible, so I thought it might be interesting to mention a few digital democracy initiatives that have taken place in Bristol. Unfortunately space doesn’t allow for a full history, but I hope these prove illustrative. It all started with satire in 2001. Three Bristol university students decided to setup a website, Spinon, as a response to the inevitable landslide victory of Tony Blair in his second general election. In the great tradition of Monty Python, Private Eye et al, they realised that if you can’t beat them, satirise them. The site featured games, videos and editorial content, including the borderline genius game – Get to the right of Jack Straw, a game that was impossible to win. The site was one of the first examples of something political
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
the digital r evolutio n
F E AT U R E
9
£500m was saved by HMRC's crowd sourced Spending Challenge in 2011
By 2020 secure online voting should be an option for all voters in the UK - guidelines set out by the Digital Democracy Commission
going viral online and it led to the creation of Delib, as the founders
In Bristol, the crowdsourcing platform idea was first trialled with an
realised the potential of the internet when applied to government
initiative that was aptly named It’s my Bristol. The council decided
decision making.
to trial participatory budgeting (PB), whereby citizens are given direct control over how a pot of money is spent. This approach isn’t new, PB has been around since the 1980’s, but in the UK it was one
“We’ve yet to access the power that lies at the heart of our democracies”
of the first attempts to use online crowdsourcing to decide how budgets were to be divvied up. In this case there was £15,000 at play for the citizens of three wards to spend - Clifton, Clifton East and Cabot. Ideas were submitted on a range of subjects with one of the winning ideas being to close the streets to play. Interestingly this idea has subsequently become a national initiative, all from
Over the next 10 years, Delib experimented with democracy games
the idea of one Bristol citizen and facilitated by the tools of digital
for schools, bespoke consultation websites, argument mapping,
democracy. It also proved to be a soft launch for larger scale work,
budget prioritisation games and somehow ended up working with
including HM Treasury’s Spending Challenge, which crowdsourced
Barack Obama on national crowdsourcing sites. These initiatives
budget reduction ideas that eventually saved the government
were largely bespoke and it soon became obvious that the real win
£500m in the 2011 spending review. The Bristol trial proved just as
for the field of digital democracy, and therefore citizens, was to
effective when applied nationally.
standardise participation technology and processes, so that greater change could happen, more cheaply, more often and at scale.
Bristol again embraced digital democracy with the creation of
The platforms developed focussed on three key methodologies -
George’s Ideas Lab in 2014, George Ferguson’s attempt to turn
crowdsourcing policy ideas, prioritisation of resources and good
Bristol into a test bed for citizen led ideas to improve our city. It
old fashioned surveys.
generated a lot of engagement and buzz around Bristol but it also
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
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F E AT U R E
T H E D I G I TA L R E VO L U T I O N
DO M ORE
demonstrated the problem with digital democracy - George quietly dropped the initiative at the point when the winning ideas should have been announced.
If you want to embrace the possibilities that digital democracy offers you can
The initial success and ultimate failure of George’s Ideas Lab neatly
submit your views on anything from
summarise digital democracy and its future. Citizen enthusiasm for
transport, public health, planning and
democratic, participatory projects is real, alive and increasing in its
licensing through to school admissions
demands for change, but we have yet to really access the power
and the further roll-out of RPZs. All
that lies at the heart of our democracies - the ‘representative’
such activity is listed on the council’s
politicians. It is for this reason that I set you a challenge - seek out
consultation portal at:
the online consultations that the council and national government
bristol.citizenspace.com
run, take part in them, demand to know how your opinion has been taken into account, do not let the politicians use your voice for their own aims, they must be held to account. I therefore ask of you only one thing - go forth; be noisy, raucous and annoying, that’s how democracy began and that’s how it should continue in the digital age. You can follow @ben_fowkes on Twitter for the latest updates on digital democracy projects in Bristol and beyond.
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S P ONSO R E D C ONTENT
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ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
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F E AT U R E
M A K I N G A C O NN E C T I O N
Making a connection Copyright meets two sets of friends from very different backgrounds to discover how Bristol refugee organisation b.friend is helping the city’s newest residents settle in
I M A G ES
Reece Pickering
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
M A K I N G A C O NN E C T I O N
T
F E AT U R E
he refugee crisis in Europe is impossible to ignore. The hundreds of thousands of people fleeing persecution, war and economic
turmoil are, quite rightly, at the forefront of the news. But behind the epic figures and political stalemates are individuals. Sometimes the human story is diluted - journey’s ending in stable democratic states. Bristol refugee organisation b.friend looks beyond this and into what can be an un-certain and, at times, frightening future. By pairing up refugees in Bristol with people already living in the city, the organisation encourages friendships to blossom, making the difficult process of settling into a new country much easier. We spoke to two pairs of people involved with b.friend to discover how these relationships, far from being one-sided, are enriching all their lives.
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
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F E AT U R E
M A K I N G A C O NN E C T I O N
Clare (43): I heard about b.friend about three
without her children a month after being granted
years ago. I had volunteered before for Refugee
asylum she could have been effectively homeless.
Women of Bristol teaching conversation class and I wanted to do something similar again. I eventually
After they’re asylum seeker benefits stopped it took
completed my training with b.friend this January.
a few weeks to process they’re new benefits so the Red Cross supported them, they were given
Layla and I are still developing our relationship
destitution support, £10 per week per person. That
under the umbrella of b.friend but we have agreed
was a hard time. This has given me an insight into
that we will be friends for life.
just how hard the process is.
I’ve grown very fond of Leyla and her family. She’s
Layla (39): I heard about the b.friend organisation
made my job very easy by each week having
through refugee action but I’d never thought about
something for us to talk about. I hope I’ve been
getting involved with a project like this before.
able to help in practical ways. Very early on, I found out that Leyla likes to read romance novels.
Clare and I communicate together using short,
So I rang Bristol central Library and tried to find
snappy sentences and sometimes hand gestures
out what there was in Arabic and after a little
and drawing as well (for the purpose of this
bit of probing I found out there were no novels
interview Leyla’s daughter Rojin is translating for
available at that time, although some budget
her). It’s getting easier for us to understand one
money was going to be made available. I popped
another but it’s going to take a bit of time before it
it on Facebook and old friend of mine living in UAE
comes naturally.
managed to get hold of some and bring them back. We are originally from Syria but we - myself, my husband and three children - arrived in the UK in November 2013. We have been granted asylum
“They were eventually taken to a block of flats where they now live, temporarily, but for three nights they all had to sleep in the office”
here now. Clare is a kind and loving person and she’s teaching me how to be nice to everyone I meet. She’s also really helping me to learn English. My friendship with Clare is making it easier for me to feel settled in the UK. The Red Cross and Refugee Action have helped me a lot but when Clare came along she really made a big difference.
When Layla and her family were granted asylum so many things changed for them very rapidly. They
I think the future will be good. It’s taken a long time
were given a month to leave their accommodation
but I think it’s all for the best. I would be happy if 10
and the benefits they were receiving stopped. They
years from now my daughter is in university and my
were in between benefits and still are in between
sons are in education too. That would be the best
homes. Leyla invited me to a meeting with the Red
outcome for me.
Cross, I remember the lady saying to her ‘Because you have children, you won’t be made destitute’, and that really shocked me. Had Leyla been here
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
M A K I N G A C O NN E C T I O N
F E AT U R E
Layla & Clare
Clare (left) and Leyla (right) have been meeting since February. Credit: Reece Pickering
ISSUE #2 - AUTUMN 2015
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F E AT U R E
M A K I N G A C O NN E C T I O N
Kate & Leah
Leah (left) and Kate (right) spend time together now outside of the programme. Credit: Reece Pickering
M A K I N G A C O NN E C T I O N
F E AT U R E
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Kate (33): I started training for b.friend in winter
Leah(26): I heard about b.friend through my
2011 and I met Leah in June 2012. I often say to
doctor, she recommended me to go to a
Leah that she‘s no longer a b.friend but an actual
befriending group and sent a letter to Sam to
friend. Initially I was meant to see Leah for six
organise it. When I first got here I didn’t know
months but we decided to keep seeing each other
anybody and I hadn’t met anyone that had taken
after that. And after that time it became outside
me seriously as a friend. This wasn’t my country, it
the remit of b.friend as an organisation, I could still
wasn’t the culture I was used to. Then I met Kate.
contact Sam and ask questions and get support, but
She gave me time, she text me, she wanted to show
I wasn’t under the b.friend umbrella anymore.
me around the city. That meant so much to me. I arrived in Bristol by chance. When I arrived in the UK from Eritrea I sought asylum. From
“This experience really makes you understand that all the refugees we see on the news
Northampton I moved to Cardiff and from there to here. I was an asylum seeker when I met Kate. It was a difficult situation that a lot of people are going through. After waiting two years I was granted asylum and now I’m working and have a
are individuals with their own
future here.
stories”
Meeting Kate has really helped me improve my English. It’s the most important thing to be able to communicate with people, if you can’t speak the language where you live everybody seems to look
Leah is the most amazing person I’ve ever met in
at you with suspicion.
my entire life. Initially when you do befriending you can’t introduce your friends or family. But after a
With Kate I have somebody I can tell my story. She
while Leah met my husband and this summer she
is willing to listen and that makes me feel really
met my mum and my sister too. I’ve just learnt so
comfortable. I’ve learnt a lot from her and have
much from Leah. I‘ve learnt a lot about Bristol too.
visited so many places and I’m really grateful for
Leah and I try and get out quite a lot. We’ve been
that. It definitely made me feel more confident.
to the museum, Cabot Tower, Blaise Castle - I’m from Bristol and I love it, but it’s so exciting taking
I’m happy here in Bristol. I’m not planning on
someone else around the city and Leah’s just been
going anywhere. I have friends in London who are
so enthusiastic everywhere we go and that makes
always trying to persuade me to move there and I
me feel the same.
always reject that. I tell them, ‘I’m Bristolian, I’m not going anywhere.’
Leah’s story isn’t everyone’s story, but everybody has one. From Leah I’ve learnt a lot about things I
D O MO R E
didn’t understand, especially when she’s told me things about her background and how she grew up. It was so different to how I imagined it would be and not in a bad way. It’s helped me recognise my own misconceptions about other cultures and what other people’s backgrounds might be like. For me now, seeing the news I think here could be a lot of
Find out more about b.friend: bridgesforcommunities.com/b-friend Other local agencies working in this field are also very often in need of volunteers and funding:
people like Leah who are very well educated, able
bristolrefugeerights.org
to speak a lot of languages and have a lot to offer if
refugeewomenofbristol.org.uk
we can give them the opportunity.
refugee-action.org.uk/in_your_area/bristol
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
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F E AT U R E
ORGANIC ENTREPRENEURS
Organic entrepreneurs Copyright visits The Community Farm to find out how this local not-for-profit co-operative is delivering fresh organic produce to our doorsteps
I M A G ES
Jenny Hardy
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
ORGANIC ENTREPRENEURS
A
F E AT U R E
rriving at The Community Farm in Chew Magna you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d pulled up at
the wrong place. A black and white chalk board sign welcoming you at the gate and rustic, ivy bespattered farm buildings hide the fact that this thriving, efficient project sends out over 400 boxes of the West Country’s finest organic produce every week. But this lack of frills is exactly what
I M A G ES
makes the farm so special. The sound of
Opening image: Volunteers work hard sowing shoots in the rich-red Somerset soil.
thundering farm machines and diesel hum of busy tractors is replaced by a peaceful quiet punctuated by birdsong. This,
Below: Ped took us on a tour through the tomato house.
says the farm’s Commercial Operations Manager Ped Asgarian, is what you get
Above: Summer squash were in abundance on our visit.
when you abandon modern high-yield techniques and revert to hard work and sustainable procedures, ‘Even here, in the yard, you can hear birds singing, you don’t always get that on a normal farm,’ he says. ‘When you kill off all the insects on a farm with pesticides there is no food source for birds. We have a set of badgers on the farm and deer frequent the area too.’
“Our main goal is to get people to the farm to reduce the apathy about knowing where your food comes from and to get people connected with that”
Ped continued to explain the concept
or seven local producers and they all
and philosophy of the farm as we took
do different things for us,’ he says. ‘We
the short walk from the yard to the five
commit to buying certain things from them
or so acres of rolling farmland packed
throughout the year and set a price, always
with produce. As well as what the farm
above market price. It’s all about paying
grows itself, other produce is acquired
the farmer a better price then he gets at
from farmers nearby, ‘We work with six
the moment.’
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F E AT U R E
THE COMMUNIT Y FARM
“Farming’s a very difficult business,
The Community Farm are keen to support farmers by paying a fair rate, ‘If we’re going
it’s difficult to make any money from
to work with organic farmers, they have
it whatsoever and unless we buck
he says. ‘Although some people may
that trend then British farming is just
over market price in the long run it does
going to collapse in on itself.”
to be paid a good price for their products,’ not think it makes financial sense to pay because it ensures the local economy keeps thriving. ‘Farming’s a very difficult business, it’s difficult to make any money from it whatsoever and unless we buck that trend then British farming is just going to collapse in on itself.’ But profit at The Community Farm comes a staunch second place behind the project’s social contribution. Five years ago the operation was run by Bristol organic food pioneer The Better Food Company. It was decided by management and the
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
THE COMMUNIT Y FARM
F E AT U R E
landowner that it would be transformed into a community supported agriculture (CSA) project. Over 500 community shares were raised totalling somewhere in the region of £190,000 and consequently the business was acquired from its original owners.
“it's not a business proposition,It's a social share, you don't get any money back, what you get is a social dividend”
Our long term goal is to build a business that can sustain a farm operation and any money that’s made from the business gets put back into the farm, we’re a not-for-profit organisation.’ When we reach the farm, we’re blown away by the sheer variety of produce. A thin line of apple orchards separate rich-red fields recently ploughed and in the process of being seeded, while thick hedgerows provide cover for the pest eating predators that help to protect the crops. Over a ridge a vast field of squash
‘Our main goal is to get people to the farm
I M A G ES
and courgettes in all shapes and forms
to reduce the apathy about knowing where
typify the season, we visit the farm in
your food comes from and to get people
Top left: All the farm’s produce is seasonal and organic.
mid-August. Ped takes us into a series
connected with that,’ says Ped. ‘We want
of polytunnels where plump cucumbers
people to understand locally sourced and
hang from their vines and pungent, vivid
sustainable food as well as the benefits
green and purple basil plants fill the air with
of going organic because there are lots.
fragrance. When faced with an organic
‘Recent studies have shown the health
utopia such as this, it’s clear to see the
benefits of eating organic food but there’s
hard-work that has gone in to tending
also a massive environmental
the harvest without the aid of quick
benefit, something that does get
fire chemicals.
over-looked sometimes.’
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
Bottom left: There are an impressive selection of polytunnels on site. Top right: Volunteers take great pride in their contributions. Bottom right: All veg boxes are packed and sent out directly from the farm.
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F E AT U R E
ORGANIC ENTREPRENEURS
IMAGE Skilled volunteers are always needed at the farm.
The Community Farm’s social enterprise
people to get into farming, they (young
doesn’t end with the organisation’s
people) can do a number of those courses
structure. As well as mustering a team of
here and eventually go on to get a
volunteers, of which they rely on to keep
qualification at the end of it.’
the farm running, the organisation have also joined the Soil Association’s Future
The farm receives funding from the Bristol
Growers Scheme, an initiative laid out
Drugs Project to help with the scheme,
to help encourage a new generation of
‘Some of the attendees (from the project)
farmers in the UK.
might not go on to be farmers but will
DO M ORE
use the opportunity as a stepping stone to move on to other employment,’ say Ped.
The Community Farm’s veg boxes start at £6.95 : bit.ly/1Oc4Rcl Find out more about volunteering opportunities on the farm: thecommunityfarm.co.uk Other veg box schemes in and around Bristol include: bristolvegboxes.co.uk leighcourtfarm.org.uk myvegboxbristol.co.uk
“At the moment there’s a real lack of young farmers, It’s an ageing population,
‘One of the people last year loved it so much they went on to get a job farming in Scotland. They’ve taken him on for a season and are likely to extend it which is
when they retire there will
beyond our wildest dreams in the first year
be no-one to take over”
of doing the project.’
‘At the moment there’s a real lack of young farmers, It’s an ageing population and when they retire there will be no-one to take over,’ says Ped, ‘The soil association set up the scheme to encourage young
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
S P ONSO R E D C ONTENT
Have you seen what’s happening in Bristol’s Bearpit? Bearpit Social opened in January 2013 to create a unique and worthwhile experience located in the middle of one of Bristol’s most unusual public spaces - the Bearpit, a newly rejuvenated roundabout and part of amajor regeneration project We’re striving to make the Bearpit a better place for all, serving up single-origin roasted coffee beans by Wogan Coffee and delicious baked delicacies from Hart’s Bakery and Pearly King, with freshly made sandwiches and lunch specials. Juices & smoothies like you’ve never had before, Bearpit Social is much more than just another coffee shop - it’s a whole new experience.
@BearpitSocial
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
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F E AT U R E
S u r p r isi n g sustai n able solutio n s
Surprising sustainable solutions
A
s the 2015 European Green Capital, Bristol has been celebrating accordingly with
events, art installations, initiatives, projects, talks, festivals, sing-alongs and pretty much everything else you can and can’t think of. But as the year comes to an end we each need to do our bit to keep the movement going What better place to start then at home? From an overhaul of your insulation system to growing mushrooms in a laundry bin, there are lots of suprising ways to live more sustainably.
Copyright discovers some of the
Innovative insulation
interesting, and sometimes bizarre,
A big part of sustainable living in the UK
ways you can make your home
Heating houses can be unnecessarily
more environmentally friendly
newspaper, via hemp and old jeans, there
is reducing heat loss from our homes. expensive and wasteful. From wool to are some ingenious and relatively low-cost ways to pad your house up, regardless of whether you rent or own it. Forget the wirey, cough-inducing insulation found in most attics around the country. As well as
WORDS
being far more environmentally friendly,
Ella Edwards
alternative insulation can also be much less expensive. Have a hunt around the house, you’ll be surprised by the difference a little more insulation will make to your pocket and the planet.
Aquaponics Don’t use fertilisers, use fish. Welcome to the weird, wonderful, watery world of aquaponics. It works like this. Fish are kept in a tank. Water is pumped from the tank through the root bed of plants grown above it. Waste from the fish provides nutrients for the plants, which they take from the water while purifying it. This in turn makes the fish happy as they have clean water to swim in. Fish and veg for dinner - two for the price of one. Nice. It
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
S u r p r isi n g sustai n able solutio n s
F E AT U R E
25
1
3
2
may sound new-fangled but it’s actually a
Flood, from the brilliant What Happens
tried and tested technique that’s been
Next project knows his wormeries, ‘They’re
used for centuries. Think fish living
incredible things that can turn nearly
amongst rice paddies in parts of Asia. If you
all food waste into valuable nutrients
want to buy an aqauponics system, Bristol
in a fraction of the time that regular
has a handsome offering, but you can
composting takes.’
always save money by having a go at
D O MO R E
Insulation Eco insulation: urbane-eco.co.uk Home insulation grants: bit.ly/1Fr3zXR Recycled fabrics: inno-therm.com
making your own.
Sheeps wool: bit.ly/1Pnecva
Wormeries
“These nutrients can be
Aquaponics
Remember the worm at the bottom of the
added to plants and act as a
Buy one: bit.ly/1V5MF2S
garden? Upgrade the poor guy, give him a
fertiliser to ensure that good
Make one yourself: bit.ly/1OpSZDw
quality food grows quicker”
Wormeries
home. He’s worth it. If you’ve tried home composting before you’ll know it’s a good way of turning organic waste material into
Buy one: bit.ly/1OLhnP6
rich, fertilised soil. You’ll also know it can
Make your own: bit.ly/1FpvlUz
take a frustratingly long time to do. Adding worms to your composter speeds the
All you need to do is make a lovely home
whole process up, and worm compost is
for local worms and they’ll do the rest. And
full of microbes that enrich plant growth
you don’t even need a garden - you can
and help prevent pests and disease. Adam
house a wormery anywhere - even indoors.
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
26
F E AT U R E
S u r p r isi n g sustai n able solutio n s
5
DO M ORE
4
Growing up
Green roof bike shelters
You don’t need a garden to grow
Green roof bike shelters encourage cycling
vegetables. There are some pretty nifty
and provide a mini-habitat for wildlife. Oh,
Make one: bit.ly/1bjRejF
ideas for growing in confined spaces.
and they help stop water run-off, and filter
Get inspiration: bit.ly/RrEtQF
Dermot O’Regan from Grow Bristol, a
the air. Andre and Albert, shelter-makers
Grow veg anywhere
project that promotes vertical farming
from Peddler and the Roof told Copyright,
Green bike roofs
and aquaponics across the city explained
‘We build green rooves as they attract
Buy one: peddlerandtheroof.co.uk
to Copyright why urban farming is such a
biodiversity and help increase green spaces
good idea, ‘We can offer locally-produced
in urban areas.’ There are many variations,
food that’s fresh, healthy and low-carbon.
but in essence a green roof structure is a
‘We can also provide food for thought
structure with a green roof. That means it
about what we eat and where it comes
has plants on top. Some work better than
from, and all this can inspire people to
others - tall lanky plants like sunflowers
grow their own, even in small city spaces,
are a bad idea. Grass, sedums and small
which doesn’t just reduce food waste and
wildflowers are much better. And, citizens
packaging, it also makes you feel much
of Bristol - as the UK’s first official cycling
happier and healthier.’
city - we should get involved. According
Make your own: bit.ly/1iS6Yjr
to Andre and Albert, our city is perfect, If you don’t have a garden, the chances are
‘Bristol’s houses can be small and tightly
you’ll have a wall. And if you do, then you
packed together, but they often have
can attach mesh netting to it, wire in some
perfect spaces in the front gardens for a
pots and grow plants up the side. Or how
small shelter.’ As always – you can buy
about hanging closed gutters along the
one and support local business, or you can
wall? That’ll work too.
build your own.
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
S P ONSO R E D C ONTENT
Have you heard about the plight of pollinators? BeeBristol is here to encourage every citizen of Bristol to embrace nature by helping pollinators. You can do this in many different ways and we are here to guide you in the right direction and support you to be the best bee friend a bee could ask for By getting involved with your family, friends, school or group you will find ways to have fun, learn new things and most importantly, help Bristol become the UK’s most welcoming city for all pollinators.
beebristol.org @BeeBristol
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28
EVENTS
OCTOBER - DECEMBER
Delivering the Future City in the Face of Global Challenges
Upcoming Events A round-up of the region’s best socially responsible events A R TS & T H E AT R E F ESTIVA L S & M A R KETS TA L KS & D IS C U SSION
© stux
Want to promote your event? We’re currently on the look-out for upcoming events running from January to March. If you’d like to be featured please send an email to: editorial@copyrightmagazine.uk
17 November, 2.30pm Wills Memorial Building, Bristol
Throughout the year, the University of Bristol Cabot Institute, the Festival of Ideas and the Bristol Green Capital Partnership - with help from government and industry experts - has been collating ideas from the people of Bristol on how the city can continue to grow sustainably. This flagship debate will address the methods raised during 2015 and develop a strategy for the city’s sustainable future. bit.ly/1FMhjN1 Tickets: Free
Stay updated For the latest news and information about upcoming events, follow us on Twitter or like our Facebook page: @copyrightmag facebook.com/copyrightmagazine
Surplus Supper Club: Festive Feasting
Open Workshop Bike Sale
4 to 12 December
5 November, 10am
FareShare, Bristol
Horfield Prison, Bristol
Join the Surplus Supper Club for a Christmas feast made from surplus food. Choose from a range of events to suit your group.
Pick up a new bike, learn maintenance tips or donate your old machine to the Bike Back Bristol scheme, helping inmates to pick up new skills.
bit.ly/1KRjzOS
bit.ly/1KKUQz5
Tickets: £18.00
Tickets: Free
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
OCTOBER - DECEMBER
Death: the human experience
© Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
The Nails Market
© Destination-Bristol
EVENTS
29
Communicate 2015
© Communicate 2015
24 October (opens)
6 and 7 November, 10am
10 to 11 November
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol
Corn Street, Bristol
At-Bristol, Bristol
A startling array of objects in this exhibition will have visitors consider the science of, ethics around and attitudes towards death.
Visit this market for local, independent traders with artwork, photography, handcrafted jewellery and vintage clothing all on offer.
More than 150 environmental professionals will debate the most pressing challenges around the climate crisis at this prestigious event.
bit.ly/1NOoJT3
bit.ly/1ORRKfe
communicatenow.org.uk
Tickets: Donation
Tickets: Free
Tickets: £30.00 to £275.00
Some People Have Too Many Legs
Art Weekender: Bristol and Bath
Amnesty International letter writing
16 November, 8pm
30 October to 1 November
24 November, 7.30pm
Bristol Old Vic, Bristol
Various locations
The Miners Arms, Bristol
Be inspired by the true story of how Jackie Hagan turned a terrible situation into a show of strength.
Discover emerging talent and inspiring new works at over 30 venues across Bristol and Bath.
Join a group of like-minded campaigners and take steps to enforce global human rights.
bristololdvic.org.uk/toomanylegs
artweekender.com
bit.ly/1iLfqpd
Tickets: £7.00
Tickets: TBC
Tickets: Free
Richard Long: Time and Space
The Health Gap: The Challenge of an Unequal World
The Mayor’s Annual Lecture & Panel Debate
Until 15 November
18 November, 12.30pm
20 November, 6.00pm
Arnolfini, Bristol
Watershed, Bristol
Wills Memorial Building, Bristol
Explore a major-new exhibition from Richard Long in celebration of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital.
Hear Michael Marmot discuss the disparity in global health care and the way inequalities can be reversed.
George Ferguson will reflect on Bristol’s environmental progress and present his plans for the city’s future.
bit.ly/1coIaAV
bit.ly/1VrmaFg
bit.ly/1LP5Ugv
Tickets: Free
Tickets: £7.00
Tickets: Free
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
30
VO L U NTEE R F e a t ur e
V olu n tee r voices
Volunteer voices WORDS
Blanca Munoz
“We use volunteers at every level of the organisation”
The BYEP team with Bristol Mayor George Ferguson
In the first of a regular Copyright feature, we speak to Amy Gallivan from Babbasa Youth Empowerment Projects (BYEP) to find out more about volunteering in Bristol
confidence and to take the next steps in realising their ambitions. (Some are) Advisory Board Members, possessing skills, knowledge or experience that can be valuable to a local youth social enterprise.’ ‘(Our) Youth Ambassadors are young people looking to gain valuable work experience, develop skills and influence local communities in a positive way.’
Amy Gallivan is Admin and Project Support Officer at Babbasa Youth Empowerment
The three most important things that
Projects (BYEP). The aim of BYEP, founded
Amy believes a volunteer can bring to her
in 2010, is to support young people from
organisation are enthusiasm, the capacity
deprived communities by giving them the
to make a difference and a belief in
tools, and opportunities, to achieve their
equal opportunities.
full potential. Amy is currently looking for volunteers in BYEP currently have 15 volunteers, ‘Our
the following fields: youth engagement,
volunteers are very important as they serve
marketing, administration, business
through senior management (advisory
development, Advisory Board Members,
board) to operations (youth engagement),’
mentors and Youth Ambassadors.
she tells us. To find out more, or to get involved Volunteers at BYEP take on a multitude of roles Amy says, ‘They act as mentors, supporting a young person to gain
contact Amy at: admin@byep.org.uk.
POSITIVE MOVEMENTS
O ctobe r embe r
Community kitchen, St Pauls
Advocacy for Mind, Bristol
All week, 9am - 4pm
All year round
St Pauls, Bristol
Bristol
The recently re-opened St. Paul’s Café are currently looking for motivated volunteers to help prepare food, buffets, teas and coffees throughout the week.
Become a mouthpiece for vulnerable people through Bristol Mind and help them get their views heard. An ability to communicate effectively is a must.
bit.ly/1WducC4
bit.ly/1BQT3Ht
Womankind helpline, Bristol
Restorative justice, South West
All year round
All year round
Bristol
Avon, Bristol and Somerset
Suport the work of charity Womankind and become a helpline volunteer. Listen and offer guidance to women affected by domestic abuse and other issues.
Could you facilitate restorative justice sessions between victims of crime and offenders? Visit their website to find out more about this important service.
bit.ly/1Kpmaor
bit.ly/1Ly7RgF
Support children with disabilities, Somerset
Appropriate adult volunteer, Bristol
All year round
All year round
Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset
Bristol
Time2Share is a small charity that helps children with disabilities. Become a volunteer and help these young people enjoy a more active social life.
Provide guidance and support to young people aged 11 to 16 whilst they are being interviewed by the police for an alleged offence.
bit.ly/1GI1hxF
bit.ly/1NSbLU9
Gardening volunteers, Bristol
Hospital volunteer, Taunton
All year round
All year round
Bristol
Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton
Use your interest in nature for good and help support older people in care by helping to develop therapeutic and social gardens.
Help the Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton by becoming a vounteer on a number of projects, from meeting and greeting to hospital radio.
bit.ly/1Xh8yzi
bit.ly/1LQGjRE
ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN 2015
VO L U NTEE R
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Volunteer Opportunities Local volunteering oportunities in and around Bristol
Looking for volunteers? We’re always on the look-out for new opportunities. If you’d like to be featured please send an email to: editorial@copyrightmagazine.uk
Stay updated For the latest news and information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, follow us on Twitter or like our Facebook page: @copyrightmag facebook.com/copyrightmagazine
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