With one week to launch we've got an exciting programme of events to share with you.
It’s just seven days until The Something Club opens its virtual doors and our first month’s programme begins. We were hoping to share this programme quite a lot sooner but it turns out that launching a new climate community right in the middle of COP26 is a little hectic (who would have guessed, right?!).
COP26 – despite being one of the most important climate conferences in history – is shaping up to be one of the least inclusive – from small island nations excluded due to covid inequality to a UK negotiating team that’s almost entirely male.
During this critical month, we’ve chosen to focus on the theme of voices, asking who is being excluded from the conversation around climate and nature solutions, and how we can all contribute to a strong, diverse, and inclusive movement. We are very lucky to have some wonderful speakers joining us – some of them from COP – and we hope you’ll like what we’ve got planned.
All events are online, and if you’re planning to sign up for membership then everything is included in your membership (plus all our members only events such as Coffee Club) and there’s no need to book a ticket as you can join direct from the Community Space. If you haven’t done so yet the don’t forget there’s still a week left to sign up to get your first month free.
If you’re not planning to sign up to The Something Club quite yet then you can still buy tickets for individuals events, and tickets for our launch party are free!
6:30pm, Tuesday 9th November
Something Club launch party: taking our first steps as climate leaders.
A rebel Reverend, a pedal powered curry house, and a women on a mission to plant 50,000 acorns: three ordinary people with inspiring stories of climate and nature action to share are joining us to launch The Something Club.
We’ll hear about their journeys as climate leaders in their own lives and communities, before working together through an interactive exercise to better understand how we can each better understand our own role in creating change.
Our guests for the launch party are:
Reverend Sue Parfitt. Sue is a retired Anglican priest who has made headlines for her multiple arrests taking part in direct action with Christian Climate Action to try and urge the government to act on climate change.
Anshu Ahuja. Anshua is the cofounder of DabbaDrop, a unique planet-minded takeaway offering zero waste curries delivered by bike.
12:30pm, Thursday 11th November
Lunchtime learning: Getting media attention for your campaign
There are lots of reasons to seek out media attention for the project or campaign you’re planning, whatever the scale – from attracting local support or growing awareness of an issue to attracting funding. But with limited time and resources it can sometimes feel hard to make it happen.
6:30pm, Wednesday 17th November
Climate change is a disability issue: Panel discussion
Join us for an interactive discussion on what the climate movement can learn from the experiences of Disabled people, and discover how each of us can help build a more inclusive climate and nature movement that champions the voices and insights of Disabled people.
- Pauline Castres, a disabled climate activist, policy and advocacy professional working in disability rights, climate change, and global health policy.
- Laura Welti, a lifelong equality and social justice activist and manager of Bristol Disability Forum.
- Grace Krause, policy officer for Learning Disability Wales.
12:30pm, Monday 22nd November
Lunchtime learning: supporting wildlife this autumn
This session will have a particular focus on low-cost and no-cost ideas, and we’ll also cover how we can make sustainable choices when planning for our wildlife gardens.
As with all of our lunchtime learnings we’d love for you to share you experience so please do bring along any tips you’d like to share or items to show.
6:30pm, Thursday 25th November
Radical mending: Positive change with a needle and thread, with Ophelia Dos Santos
In this workshop textile artist and climate activist Ophelia Dos Santos will share simple stitches, techniques and inspiration to repair and refresh your clothes.
Specialising in hand embroidery – Ophelia refreshes and repairs pre-loved clothing, in an attempt to bring positive social and environmental change. Establishing an embroidered patchwork style, she expresses herself by using simple stitches, to create images and patterns on garments. Ophelia hopes her work serves as a visual reminder of fashions changing attitude towards sustainability; inspiring others to give old clothes a second chance.
6:30pm, Thursday 30th November
Growing a community ecosystem with Ian Solomon-Kawall
Many of us support and create projects in our community – or hope to in the future – but worry about finding space and resources. Ian Solomon-Kawall is joining us to tell the story of The May Project in north London, a safe and thriving space for people and nature in an ordinary council house garden.
Ian will share practical advice for empowering marginalised groups and engaging authentically with our communities using the principles of permaculture.
Ian (or KMT) is a rapper, activist and founder of The May Project gardens. He is a leader of positive social change and raises awareness for a multitude of social issues through the powerful words and rhythms of Hip Hop music and a non-exhaustive passion for the environment and conservation.
