This month we began holding the training sessions for our newly recruited Climate Champions, as one of the Cool Wirral partners involved in this new scheme. The Cool Wirral campaign has set a target of achieving net-zero emissions in Wirral by 2041. As a Climate Champion, anyone who volunteers will play a key role in this by taking part in activities designed to raise awareness of climate change. They will also be expected to encourage members of their community to take action to help meet this goal.

There will be training sessions for the next cohort of Climate Champions in May and so we’re looking for more volunteers who are passionate about protecting the environment and would like to help spread the word. You will be given training on climate change issues and solutions, as well as an insight into the work being undertaken at the council and how to best support your community.

If you would like to get involved, find out more and apply here:
https://volunteering.wcvs.org.uk/volunteers/opportunity/10217642

Become a Climate Champion!

On 4th March, Kenny helped run a Climate Cafe for Heart4Refugees. Climate Cafes are friendly places to meet others, talk (and eat cake!), while providing a safe space to discuss climate crisis anxieties, with facilitators who understand and are able to help visitors explore these feelings.

Work took place on the new Sensory Garden at St James Community Garden on 4th and 11th March. With new growing beds for children to learn gardening and brightly coloured artwork on display, the area will be a treat for all the senses. We look forward to seeing how the space develops. If you would like to visit St James Garden, come along on a Wednesday, between 10am and 1pm. You’ll be most welcome to help our gardeners, or just sit and enjoy the area. Find the entrance between 192 and 194 Tollemache Road, Birkenhead North.

On 8th March, Bernie of Spot and Stripe Kitchen returned to WEN to demonstrate methods of reducing food waste, as part of the Cool Wirral programme of events. This session covered using up food leftovers and growing vegetables from scraps. There was a demo on making meals from foods you often have leftover in your fridge. Tasters were provided, along with recipe cards to take home.

There will be another chance to sample delicious food, while learning how to reduce waste, in the Love Your Leftovers workshop on 19th April. Book your place here:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/wirralcouncil/1151269

Learn to Love Your Leftovers

On 14th March, Naomi gave a talk at Make It Happen Birkenhead’s 5th birthday celebrations at the Gateway Church in Oxton. The day was focused on the work of community organisations on the Wirral and other speakers included Dame Lorna Elizabeth Muirhead, Mayor of Wirral Jerry Williams, Kevin Norris from Wirral Lifelong Learning Service and Micha Woodworth from Healthwatch Wirral.

Naomi talking at Make It Happen – Birkenhead’s birthday event. Photo: GroundsWell Consortium

Carol led a gardening course on 18th and 25th March for JourneyMEN, with another session on 15th April. During the course Carol has worked with the men on their plots at the Edward Kemp Garden in Birkenhead Park, teaching them skills such as solving drainage problems and creating a composting area. Each member of the group will also be able to choose a topic and have it covered during the course.

Great weather for the start of the gardening course for JourneyMEN Wirral

A wet day meant classroom based learning for the second session

On 19th and 26th March we held volunteer sessions at WEN to get our outdoor area ready for the growing season ahead. Jobs included preparing and laying a patio, sweeping up the last of the leaves for the leaf mold bin, moving cut branches to create a wildlife pile, potting on plants, and sorting out the storage spaces. Volunteers also got prepared for the Spring Fair on 11th May by creating a selling area and labelling and pricing plants.

Taking a look at and handling mineral samples

Mookaite Jasper, found in Western Australia

Thanks to Darren from Southport Eco Centre for giving some of the WEN team a tour around the building on 28th March. There were lots of ideas to think about. We hope it was the beginnings of collaboration on future projects. We’d recommend the centre to any Wirral schools looking for an educational and fun outing.

For free and paid resources for teachers and information about projects such as Clean Air Crew, see the Southport Eco Centre website:
https://www.southportecocentre.com/

Southport Eco Centre

Play the Clean Up Crew game