Sector Spotlight: Transition Town
Tell us about your organisation, how it started and what you do?
Transition Town Shoreham originally started in 2007 and lasted for a few years before it was rekindled during lockdown by a new set of volunteers.
One of our founders had been given a Transition Handbook (by Rob Hopkins) and thought the ideas in it made perfect sense; transitioning away from fossil fuels, waste and pollution to a more equal, resilient society.
We focus on promoting and creating community projects which support sustainable living, regeneration of our environment and resilience building through local food and energy production.
How do you support people in Adur?
We provide information through our website, facebook page, at in person meetings, events and at our farmers market stall. We promote and collaborate with other groups and projects which do the same. We encourage creative thinking and local action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. We aim to build connection and promote local action..’hope with it’s sleeves rolled up!’
Our latest activity is a collaboration with Brighton and Hove Energy Services Cooperative. Find out more about community solar power in Shoreham-by-Sea.
We will also be at Shoreham Farmers market this Saturday morning.
What is one of your greatest achievements?
We really enjoyed collaborating with Transition Town Worthing and Greening Steyning this year on a series of Eco Open House events over 2 weeks. This included: 18 open houses/a hotel, houseboat, 2 leisure centres, a community farm, 2 community garden’s, an energy centre (Hemiko), a film screening with talk, and numerous workshops at half a dozen community centres! Almost 1200 people took part.
How have you worked with or experienced support from Adur Voluntary Action?
Adur Voluntary Action has been a fantastic promoter of our activities as well as being an important source of advice and support.
What are some of the challenges you face and how can people help?
As with most volunteer run initiatives, we could do with more involvement from individuals and more funding to support our abundance of ideas. We are looking for people to join in with whatever capacity they have and with whatever ideas and enthusiasm they have to get started on something.