AN UPDATE FROM OUR PARTNERS

We love being able to support and highlight the brilliant things our charity partners are up to. 

This blog is all about them, what they're doing and crucially, how you can get involved and support them too. 

Surfers Against Sewage

We chose Surfers Against Sewage for their amazing work cleaning up our oceans and beaches, educating on the need to reduce our plastic consumption, and lobbying the government for real environmental change.

We were lucky enough to chat to Emma at Surfers Against Sewage to get some insight on their latest initiatives and how you can get involved:

• "What initiatives are you working on right now?"

I"n 2021 we are on the front foot to deliver change. We’re on the beaches cleaning up plastic hands-on, we’re campaigning to government and big business to make real change where it really matters, and we’re using our voices to speak up for the Ocean. We’re creating Ocean Activists everywhere. This Spring we’re launching the most ambitious clean-up mission the world has ever seen, ridding our ecosystems of a Million Miles of plastic pollution. We’ll be campaigning harder than ever at some of the most important events for the Ocean’s future – this year sees the G7 and COP26 take place in the UK, and along with the youth movement we’ll be making sure the ocean is at the heart of the conversation".

• "What can people do to support these?"

"People can support in so many ways. Organise a beach clean, sign the petitions, lead a plastic free community or join fellow surfers, beach lovers and families who share a passion for protecting our beautiful coastlines by becoming an Ocean Activist. Head to the Surfers Against Sewagewebsite to find out how to get involved".

• "What is the 250 club and why is it so important?"

"The250 Club is a membership scheme that connects like minded businesses together who care passionately about the marine environment. Our 250 Club Members are actively raising awareness of SAS causes, as well as influencing their peers, consumers and staff members to create action and ultimately protect our oceans. We’ve got 10 years to save our planet and your business could help save it. It’s a powerful club to be a part of".

"The membership helps fund our education programme, beach cleans and campaigns to protect the marine environment, especially from the current plastic pollution crisis".  

• "What easy changes can people make to reduce their environmental impact?

Replace one item from your household with a reusable and sustainable option. That first step to a sustainable future has so much impact. By owning a reusable bottle, you’re less likely to purchase a single-use plastic one when you’re out. These very simple changes really do add up and can make such a difference". Or join our cause and sign up to our membership scheme!Donate today and you will become a part of the most vibrant, active environmental group in the country". 

Trees for Cities

Trees for Cities is the only UK charity working at a national and international scale to improve lives by planting trees in cities. We chose to support them because they are more than just an environmental charity - they also focus on the power of nature to improve wellbeing and bring communities together.

When we caught up with Catherine Cheeseman, Corporate Volunteering Coordinator at Trees for Cities,she said:

“With over 80% of people in the UK now living in towns and cities, the importance and value of urban trees and green spaces has never been more prominent. They play a major role in helping to alleviate many of the most pressing issues of urban living, including air pollution, climate change, flooding, noise, and a range of health and wellbeing issues. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted just how essential the green within the grey is to city dwellers.”

We also asked Catherine what campaigns she’s currently working on:

“Through our new #Generationtree strategy, Trees for Cities has been transforming and regenerating the most deprived community spaces by planting hundreds of thousands of trees across the country, engaging and inspiring tens of thousands of volunteers and school children, and creating a bottom-up movement of individuals and organisations to self organise and take on the role of planters and protectors of our streets, parks, housing estates, and woodlands.“

How can you get involved?

"You candonate (just £6 plants a tree in an urban area),fundraise, or evenvolunteer. Unfortunately volunteering has been temporarily suspended during lockdown for safety however they will be resuming soon and you’ll be able to find out about any new projects near you by signing up to themailing list here". 

Also, Catherine said: “Our virtual challenge,Run for the Trees, is back for 2021! If you or anyone you know is interested, sign up to run a virtual 5k, 10k, a half-marathon, or a full-marathon around your local area and raise money to plant urban trees 🏃”

Refill

Refill connects you to places to eat, drink and shop with less waste - an absolutely essential cog in the plastic-free movement. They are leading the charge in the reuse revolution so were an obvious partner charity for us.

Getting involved with the Refill campaign couldn’t be easier! You can become a refill champion bydownloading their app to see where you can refill in your area, always carrying your reusables with you and logging your refills to track how much plastic you’ve saved. If you have a high street business, consider adding a refill station to reduce the need for plastic bottles and food containers and check out theirworkplace programmes if you’re an employer. You can also register tovolunteer with Refill here.

What is 1% for the Planet and what does it do?

We are able to support these environmental campaigning organisations through 1% for the Planet. It's a fast growing international organisation whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes. Their mission is to "build, support and activate an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet”. The organisation now claims over 1200 members in 48 countries and we are extremely proud to be part of this global environmental alliance!

We get to choose which charities we support and it made total sense to us to support these three mind-blowingly brilliant organisations based here in the UK.  They align with our ethos and values and represent the change we want to see in the world.