<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0" xml:base="https://www.voscur.org" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> <channel> <title>Voscur - Community energy</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/core-categories/community-energy</link> <description></description> <language>en</language> <item> <title>Community Carbon Footprints used to support Climate Action</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/news/community-carbon-footprints-used-support-climate-action</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Community Carbon Footprints used to support Climate Action</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/CCAlogo.jpg?itok=hH9DbJpm" width="600" height="236" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">15 September, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span><span>"I can't do anything to make a difference with climate change. I'm just one person."</span></span></p> <p><span><span>It's a common phrase and in many ways very true. But once people come together in neighbourhoods and communities and really understand how their individual and collective actions affect climate change, it starts to become clearer to see exactly how we each make a difference - positive or negative. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>That's why Bristol's Community Climate Action project has worked with t<span><span>he Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to produce detailed carbon footprints for Bristol communities to support six local organisations in their work to tackle the climate crisis. Bristol’s <a href="https://bristolgreencapital.org/project_cat/community-climate-action/"><span>Community Climate Action project</span></a> is supporting Ambition Lawrence Weston, ACH, BDEF, Eastside Community Trust, Heart of BS13 and Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust to play a leading role in helping to reduce Bristol's overall emissions and move to become a greener city. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The community organisations have developed plans which outline key local priorities for both improving the quality of life of residents, and reducing carbon emissions. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The carbon footprint reports produced by CSE highlight which activities undertaken by residents are responsible for emissions, all organised under the following themes: housing; transport; food and diet; goods and services and waste management.This gives the community organisations a clearer sense of where work is most needed, and will support their plans moving forwards. Here's the <a href="https://eastsidecommunitytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Carbon-footprint-report-FINAL.pdf"><span>report for Eastside Community Trust</span></a>.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The carbon footprint reports are a novel means of supporting grassroots climate action. Though CSE earlier this year provided sophisticated carbon footprinting for civil parishes, collating these data for inner-city communities and specific demographics e.g Disabled people or a refugee community within a city is an approach being pioneered through the Community Climate Action Project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Gaining clarity around which activities are responsible for carbon emissions, and to what extent, helps us to understand which key areas of change are most needed to reduce emissions and create positive change. It also allows us to properly distinguish between areas in which change can be achieved by individuals and communities, and where systemic change - at the national or global level - is required. Of course every individual needs to play their part in taking climate action, although <a href="https://theconversation.com/ipcc-report-how-to-make-global-emissions-peak-and-fall-and-whats-stopping-us-165830?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20August%2010%202021%20-%202027019925&amp;utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20August%2010%202021%20-%202027019925+CID_47be9cc705c65f85708fdc4971578c49&amp;utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&amp;utm_term=Whats%20preventing%20this%20shift%20is%20not%20technological%20but%20political">research shows that politicians bear the main responsibility for making policy change</a> at the speed required to avert the worst effects of global heating. So let’s keep make our changes at home and in our communities, and keep asking our elected representatives to support political change for the better as we approach COP26 in November.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/community-assets">Community assets</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/community-energy">Community energy</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-expiry-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Expiry date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, 15 September, 2021</span></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Wed, 15 Sep 2021 13:58:18 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>David</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">100246 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> <comments>https://www.voscur.org/news/community-carbon-footprints-used-support-climate-action#comments</comments> </item> <item> <title>Seventy per cent of students plan to volunteer this summer</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/seventy-cent-students-plan-volunteer-summer</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Seventy per cent of students plan to volunteer this summer</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Hands-On%20Volunteering.png?itok=GHY0nbwU" width="510" height="350" alt="Young woman in brown apron wearing black and green gardening gloves, holding hands up" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">28 June, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>According to new research from the <a href="https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/" target="_blank">Royal Voluntary Service</a>, seventy per cent of students are looking to do volunteer work this summer: welcome news for volunteer managers and coordinators who have seen numbers fluctuate during the coronavirus pandemic. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The research was based on 1,000 higher education students aged 18-24. It looked at motivations for volunteering and the types of opportunity that appeal to potential volunteers:</span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span>35% of students said that volunteering would give them a sense of purpose.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>47% felt that volunteering would give them useful and valuable experience. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>95% of students said they would consider helping at NHS coronavirus vaccination sites. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span>Student volunteer Shavaiz Mir spoke of having more time to volunteer, as his lectures have been held online:</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>“Virtual lectures have meant that students like myself have more time on our hands and I wanted to use this time for good… Anyone looking for something to give them purpose during their summer break should 100% sign up and give volunteering a try.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Whether you’re a student or not, you can find <a href="https://www.voscur.org/volunteers" target="_blank">volunteer opportunities in and around Bristol</a> on the Voscur jobs board, and <a href="https://www.voscur.org/jobs/advertise-job" target="_blank">list opportunities</a> for free as well. Coronavirus-specific opportunities should be listed on <a href="https://candobristol.co.uk/" target="_blank">Can Do Bristol</a>. </span></span></span></p> <h3>Top tips from Voscur for recruiting short-term volunteers</h3> <ul> <li><span><span><span>Be clear about the number of hours your volunteers must commit to, and whether that’s a weekly or monthly figure. Even in the holidays, students may have course reading or assignments to do, and many will have part-time jobs as well. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Explain the benefits for the volunteer, especially anything connected to work or learning new skills. Volunteers are there to help you, but it’s a two-way process, and you need to attract them. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Think about which roles can be home-based and which should be in-person. If someone is volunteering from home, what kind of support and social aspect is available? If they’re visiting you, what kind of coronavirus safety measures do you have in place? Bear in mind that most students won’t have been vaccinated yet. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span>You may also be interested in our half-day course for volunteer coordinators and managers, <a href="https://www.vcseacademy.org/events/measuring-the-impact-of-volunteering/">Measuring the Impact of Volunteering</a>, on Tuesday 21 September 2021. This will help you prove how important volunteers are to your organisation, your finances, and your aims.</span></span></span></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/community-energy">Community energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/volunteering">Volunteering</a></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:38:08 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>pollya</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">99649 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> </item> <item> <title>Voscur member news: Queen’s Award, celebrations, and ethical food</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/member-news-queens-award-volunteering</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Voscur member news: Queen’s Award, celebrations, and ethical food</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Balloons%20in%20Sky.png?itok=uGbgoczK" width="510" height="350" alt="Red, yellow, cream and blue balloons in blue sky with clouds" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Raw Pixel</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">10 June, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>It’s been a brilliant start to the summer for many of our members, as they’ve stopped to reflect on their achievements and the hard work of their volunteers. Find out what they’ve been up to, and how you can support them.</span></span></span></p> <h3>Mothers for Mothers wins the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service</h3> <p><span><span><span>Bristol charity <a href="https://mothersformothers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mothers for Mothers</a> has been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of its work tackling maternal mental illness. The charity’s volunteers bring lived experience of maternal mental health issues, such as Post-Natal Depression (PND), to assist others in a similar position. Help is at hand from pregnancy to when a mother’s youngest child starts school.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Support methods include a helpline, talking groups, peer support, wellbeing and nature walks, sessions for dads and partners, home visits, art psychotherapy, and counselling; services were adapted during the pandemic to fit government guidelines. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The award is particularly special as the charity marks its 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary this year. Maria Viner, Mothers for Mothers CEO, said: </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>“We are so proud that our wonderful team have been honoured in this way. It’s very emotional to think about all the families that they have supported over 40 years. The women who we walk alongside on their journey to recovery are the inspiration for all that we do; this honours their bravery.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Reflecting on Voscur’s support for the organisation, she added:</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>“It’s been invaluable having the friendly team at Voscur available with encouragement, information and support during the development of Mothers for Mothers.”</span></span></span></p> <h3>Local VCSE organisations celebrate Volunteers’ Week</h3> <p><span><span><span>Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) was a busy time for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in and around Bristol. You may have spotted social media tributes from <a href="https://www.brigstowe.org/" target="_blank">Brigstowe</a>, George Müller Museum, North Bristol Advice Centre, The Anchor Society, Womankind, and many more. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Bristol City Council created a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZZxNDnRomE" target="_blank">video celebrating the city’s volunteer efforts</a> during the pandemic, with contributions from Black South West Network, Bristol Black Carers, Humanitarian Bristol, Knowle West Alliance, The Sprint Community Transport, and Voscur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>There were also several Wall of Thanks displays put up in community centres, plus Can Do Bristol’s virtual <a href="https://candobristol.co.uk/wall-of-thanks" target="_blank">Wall of Thanks</a> has served as an online space to celebrate individuals and organisations doing their bit during COVID-19. You can still <a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/VolunteerWeekThanks/" target="_blank">nominate someone throughout June</a> to be added to the virtual display.</span></span></span></p> <h3>Food updates from Baraka Community Café, Houria and 91 Ways</h3> <p><span><span><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarakaCommunityCafe" target="_blank">Baraka Community Café</a> in Easton is currently being renovated, with a brand new look and a new coffee machine from Bristol’s own Wogan Coffee. It is due to reopen in June, but in the meantime you can still collect family boxes and takeaway frozen meals. We can’t wait to see the new surroundings later this month.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The pan-African catering company <a href="https://www.houria.co.uk/eat-with-us" target="_blank">Houria</a> CIC, based in East Bristol, is now a member of Social Enterprise UK. You can order a vegan Friday Feast, or arrange vegan catering from Houria for your event. The organisation supports migrant women and female survivors of slavery, hiring them to create and share amazing recipes from across Africa. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Meanwhile, 91 Ways has arranged its first supper club of 2021, with cooks and volunteers due to serve Iranian food on 3 July (<a href="https://91ways.org/product/3rd-july-breaking-bread-supper-club/" target="_blank">click here to book</a>). The venue is the trendy Clifton Downs pop-up Breaking Bread, and the event will be socially distanced.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Do you have a member news story to share for our next update? Tag us in your <a href="https://twitter.com/voscur" target="_blank">tweets</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/voscur" target="_blank">Facebook posts</a>, or email <a href="mailto:polly@voscur.org?subject=Member%20news">polly@voscur.org</a>. </span></span></span></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/community-energy">Community energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/health-and-wellbeing">Health and wellbeing</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/social-enterprise">Social enterprise</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/volunteering">Volunteering</a></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jun 2021 15:33:53 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>pollya</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">99518 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> </item> </channel> </rss>