Our monthly highlights
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- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
July Newsletter
Check out all our latest updates
Boro Dougnut: Transforming Middlesbrough by embracing Doughnut Economics
The Eco-Rangers
The Eco-Rangers prepped the garden (and themselves) ready for our summer event. They tidied, cleaned and distributed leaflets and posters around the local area. The group meets every Saturday morning, and is always open to new members! Currently this project is supported by Teesside University and in partnership with Institute of Collective Place Leadership and Middlesbrough Council Seed Funding. We are applying for more funding for the youth club to continue.
Edible Forest Garden Summer Event
Another great success bringing the community together. We had nearly a hundred people attend our Summer Event, and the major difference this time was that our young Eco Rangers took the lead. They led tours around the garden and allotment, explained their learning at a stall and fund-raised selling hanging baskets, homemade food and pictures they have drawn. They also offered drinks and confidently interacted with everyone. This was a truly inclusive intergenerational event in action.
All the stalls held by our partner organisations had activities applying Doughnut Economics. A huge thank you to Truly Sound Emily for our Sound Bath, Freestyle Sara, Liz and Athene for upcycling Ribbon Nature Windsock, Environmental Agency Frayer for flood resilience awareness, Young Souls Events Alex for plant based diet and healthy eating games, National Literacy Trust & Bok Bok Books Rumana for a story trail, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Eithne and Lou for seed crafts, Golden Plough for folk music, Sawdust for upcycled game, Abbie for baking cakes, Repair Café Khurram, Inspiron Learning Julie and Eze for leading the Youth club and all the Boro Doughnut members Laurissa, Faiza and Amin for offering art, Henna and Face-painting. There are so many people working hard behind scene including Kinga, Gary and Aisha. Thank you all very much, and thank you all to those who came along.
Feedback included:
‘We hold stalls at many events but we have never seen children taking the lead and confidently offering drinks and interacting with participants. It’s great!’
‘I brought my friend and we want to hold a stall next year, it’s a wonderful you bringing our community together, we had nothing for years until you came along.’
‘My grandchild takes part in it and he loves it’
Twin City: Oberhausen Project
Daniel is currently working on Kadar Primary School Exchange with a school in Oberhaussen.
The Washed UP workshop at MIMA was a great success. The writers read out their stories that they shared from previous workshops run by Bob Beagrie and Rumana Yasmin. Their life stories being told in first person made a powerful impact to the audience and we see the need for these stories to reach more people in Middlesbrough to promote community cohesion.
If anyone is interested in developing more ‘human library’ experiences in our town, get in touch.
Graham, Barabara and Rumana are working together with partners Story and Studio, The Auxiliary and Bob Beagrie to develop the Perfect Strangers project, with visits planned in October.
Where the Credit is Due: Eco-Social Justice Workshop
Rob and Robyn are planning further workshops building on from previous workshops since the last Global Donut Days. There will be a workshop at the next Global Donut Days on 16th October. We will be sharing Teesside University press releases. Global Donut Days Gathering event will be part of Teesside University Pathways to Policy project.
More information on their website.
Waste Management Project with Citizens UK
In partnership with Citizens UK, we are collaborating with two primary schools, Newport and Abingdon. The children and parents voiced their needs in the TS1 area to the mayor Chris Cooke and CEO of MBC Erik Scollay on 13th July at the Town Hall.
The council confirmed their commitment to cleaner streets and alleyways, and suggested to plan sustainable solutions together. They agreed on visual signs and more provisions, CCTV monitoring and creating fairer reporting mechanisms. They also asked us to give them more details on solution ideas on effective enforcements that are better than regular cleansing.
Well done to both school children, parents and staff, and Citizens UK Graham for leading this project. This is the new beginning after the lack of Tennyson Alleyway improvement action group actions.
Volunteers
All Boro Doughnut members are volunteers. We are looking for more people to collaborate with us. Using our platform, you can develop your leadership skills by proactively creating your own project, or experience already established projects. You can learn new skills whilst also giving advice and maximise your contribution using your existing skills and knowledge. Our approach matters because we empower people in whatever area they are passionate about, we take actions that are good for the community and good for the environment. Get in touch to find out more!
Next Meeting
Wednesday, August 12th 6:00 – 7:00pm
Every second Wednesday of each month
meet.google.com/bfx-hqot-oni
Or in person at:
MVDA, Broadcasting House, Newport Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 5DG
Community, Connect, Action! Share your Doughnut Activities you have engaged in. Bring new ideas and collaboration for regenerative and distributive efforts in and around Middlesbrough. Everybody is welcome, just drop in on the day.
There is also a social at the Chapel afterwards for those who can join.
Edible Forest Garden Grimston Walk
TS3 7BY
borodoughnut@gmail.com
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