Charity event brings community 'closer to nature'

Interactive sessions were held where attendees could learn more about sustainable living

A day of activities has been held in Bristol in an effort to bring people closer to nature in response to the global climate emergency.

Organised by the Eden Project, the free event on 23 June was hosted at the Climate Action Hub in Hartcliffe, which is run by local charity Heart of BS13.

People came together to enjoy food talks, art workshops and forest school sessions, all aimed at teaching people more about sustainable living.

Community network developer at the Eden Project, Annabel Wills, said: "We hope more local people will be inspired to chat to their neighbours, get involved where they live or embark on their own community activity."

Guests had the chance to get stuck into bunting-making workshops in between sessions

The day formed part of the Eden Project's 'Month of Community', which has been running this June and invites people to celebrate everything that makes their communities great.

A spokesperson for the Eden Project said the roadshow hopes to "encourage more people to become changemakers", and take steps towards a greener future.

With partners including Refugee Week, Great Big Green Week and Loneliness Awareness Week, the initiative saw more than 14 million people take part last year, with £35m raised.

Heart of BS13 aims to inspire change in Hartcliffe and Withywood through community-focused initiatives. It also manages a food project which addresses food insecurity and promotes green education sessions.

The community came together to learn more about how to play their part in tackling climate change

The charity’s food programme manager, Jodie Smith, joined the event to share their passion on the power of food waste, and how people can grow their own ecosystems at home.

"People often feel overwhelmed by climate change and what they hear on the news," said Ms Smith.

"When you feel overwhelmed you won't take action, because you feel it's beyond your control.

"Particularly for people living in Hartcliffe & Withywood, who are already facing social and economic hardship, and so will be hit the hardest as the crisis unfolds.

"It's about opening up that conversation and about bringing it back down to a local level, in terms of the small changes that individual households can make, that can feed into bigger collective change ."