Bankside Open Spaces Trust’s Post

While I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions I find that at this time of year, as the days tick down to a fresh start, I start thinking about what I’d like to do more of, less of or avoid completely next year. 💫What I’d like to do more of in 2024? I’m going to go with…volunteering. I’ve really enjoyed all the time I’ve spent this year supporting various initiatives at work and some out of office time supporting Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Yorkshire Children's Charity, Canal & River Trust. Here’s an article about a fab day I spent with my team working on a canal lock near the office. https://lnkd.in/g4sx63gQ 💫What I’d like to do less of in 2024? Having days without scheduled email time. This year I’ve often broken off from a task to read an email as it arrives when I don’t have time to process it. I then have to re-read the same email again when I do have time to action it. 💫And avoid completely in 2024? Leaving tasks I think will be difficult until I have to start them. They are always easier than I expect and I know I’ve got great colleagues to support me if I do need any help! #reflection #freshstart #newyeargoals

It's so inspiring to see Kingsway Mall using a part of their rooftop to grow food for the Edmonton's Food Bank Currently the food bank is providing food for over 40,000 people every month, so seeing this garden on the roof contributes great value for our community. If you grow a garden and have extra produce this year please consider donating the fresh produce to the food bank. It will truly be appreciated! Now let's dive into a few more benefits to a rooftop gardens. 🌱 rooftops are currently a blank space being completely under utilized. So gardens on a roof are a great space saver. 🌱 plants on a roof help reduce heat. Our rooftops can heat up and contribute to the atmosphere warming, so this helps mitigate that 🌱 the plants also absorb excess carbon in the atmosphere. Add a 💚 in the comments if you want rooftop gardens to become more normalized. #yeg #yeglifestyle #sustainablefuture

When weighing up the pros and cons of volunteering vs the cost of living crisis, there is definitely something to be said for trying to donate some of your time, however small that may be, as you may discover that it improves your mental health, physical health, gives you a ‘way in’ to a career in conservation if you are just starting out or maybe even helps you completely change your career path. Find out more about the benefits of volunteering with Kent Wildlife Trust at https://c-js.uk/3StqXfZ #GreenCareersHub #greenjobsfornature #greenjobs #volunteering #volunteers #conservationvolunteers

Ways to Donate ➡️ Financial Contributions: Monetary donations are the backbone of our efforts, allowing us to sustain and grow our network of urban gardens, including the notable Eastpointe Community Garden. Each contribution helps cover the costs of seeds, equipment, maintenance, and educational programs, ensuring that our projects remain vibrant and accessible to all. To make a financial donation, please visit our secure online donation portal at https://lnkd.in/eJ58NsJ6. Here, you can choose the amount you wish to donate and specify if it should be recurring. ➡️ In-Kind Donations: We also welcome in-kind donations, which can range from gardening tools and supplies to services that support our operations. If you have items or skills you believe could benefit Urban Seed, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss how your contribution can make a difference. ➡️ Become a Sponsor: Partnering with Urban Seed as a sponsor offers businesses and organizations an opportunity to align with our mission and connect with a passionate community of garden enthusiasts and environmental advocates. Sponsors can support through financial contributions, donations of goods or services, or by sponsoring specific projects or events. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please reach out directly via our contact page. Why Your Support Matters Each donation, no matter the size or form, plays a critical role in sustaining Urban Seed's mission. In 2023 alone, our collective efforts led to donating over 1,000 lbs of food to residents, church outreach programs, and senior housing facilities. This tangible impact is a testament to what we can achieve with your support. Join Our Mission By donating to Urban Seed, you're not just supporting a cause; you're becoming part of a community dedicated to making a positive impact. Whether through volunteering, donating, or becoming a sponsor, your involvement empowers us to continue transforming urban spaces into lush, productive gardens that enrich our communities. Together, we can sow the seeds for a brighter, greener future—one garden at a time.

Happy National Rivers Month! Ways to Celebrate: 🛶 Enjoy a local river - maybe try a new water sport like canoeing or paddle boarding. Practice meditation or mindful movement by a river. These activities will do wonders for your mental and physical health! 🗑️ Do a cleanup - be a river steward by participating in or leading a cleanup. Remember to bring trash bags, and use work gloves to protect your hands from sharp and dirty items. 👥 Organize a meetup - arrange an event to celebrate your local river with friends and community members. Try something simple like hosting your next book club meeting by the river. Expand your reach by contacting a local environmental non-profit or rowing club to collaborate on a river-focused event. 📑 Research local river heritage - this month is a great time to learn about the history of your local river. How was it used by indigenous people, and how did these uses evolve through today? #nationalriversmonth #riverheritage #rivers #riverconservation #stewardship

Have you ever thought that a simple act like gardening can prevent #Dementia? Research proves that it positively impacts your stress and anxiety levels while improving your self-esteem and self confidence. What are your thoughts? #greeninitiatives #environment #mentalhealthawareness

Congratulations to Henry Boot for securing this scheme. We published project intelligence on this scheme back in August 2023 👀 If you were not successful in securing this scheme then ask yourself 'would we have had a better chance if we had known about this scheme earlier before it came out for procurement?'. Early project market intelligence enables your business to: ✅ Position with client teams as early as possible ✅ Influence a projects design, buildability and affordability ✅ Influence the procurement route or method ✅ Explore direct negotiation away from competitors You can't win them all BUT you can put your business in a better position to win more! #pipelineinsightbusinessforesight #contractors #businessdevelopment

Time to downsize? If you’re thinking about downsizing, consider these key factors as you contemplate how much space you’re going to need… - Bedrooms. How often are you going to have guests to stay? Will 1-2 bedrooms and the option of a pull-out bed in the lounge suffice, or are you likely to need more? - Gardens. Are you keen for a bit of lawn and a garden to potter about in, or is a low-maintenance courtyard more in-line with your thinking? - Storage. Even though you’re downsizing, you’ll still need storage. Think about how much stuff you’re going to take with you, and what you may be able to donate, discard or pass on to friends and family before the shift. #downsizing #smallerliving #bedrooms #goodstorage #garden #remuera #auckland #jamestaylor #bayleysremuera #bayleysnz #altogetherbetter #sellmyhome #realestatenz #remuerarealestate

Another week means another series of Commonplace projects to highlight! Let's take a look at what our customers have been launching recently... 📍Covent Garden Conservation Area Audit: Everyone who lives around, works in or visits Covent Garden is welcome to take part in this project. The documents that the City of Westminster produces will outline the key characteristics of the area and will provide guidance on how Covent Garden should be managed, preserved and enhanced. 🔗https://hubs.ly/Q02Fym2z0 📍Local Places for Nature Carmarthenshire: Carmarthenshire County Council alongside a whole host of other organisations are working to protect and improve the local natural environment. This project contains a clean map for the whole of Carmarthenshire and one large survey that is asking people to share green places that are significant to them. The site is also available in both English and Welsh. 🔗https://hubs.ly/Q02Fym930 📍What's it like to live in Houlton?: This is the newest phase of the Quality of Life Foundation's post-occupancy project in Houlton. Its purpose is to help residents influence what happens in the local area, and for Urban & Civic to make improvements to Houlton and other similar developments Plus , for every completed survey they are making a donation to charity! 🔗https://hubs.ly/Q02FylZ20 #digitalengagement #communityengagement #engagement #london #community #digital #Wales