Fascinating idea… very subversive – thanks to @jaybutcher for sharing….
Trying to work out where I am for this … officially 29th April – 5th of May 2013 to live on (I think) £1 per day… but also a 1 day option:
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As you’ll have seen from #tfbloggers etc, I’ve been an interested supporter of Tearfund for many years, and the visit to Ogongora & other villages just strengthened that as we saw how effectively the money was put to use. There’s much debate about whether we should “just give”, but I find the idea of knowing “how” money makes a difference makes me feel like even my small contributions make a difference (is that the ego talking?) …
Thanks for Giving
So, having talked to @katieharrisonTF (who came with us to Uganda) about her recent trip to Syria, receiving the transcript of an interview Katie undertook in Syria, and seeing a range of adverts on TV, despite being rather skint, again – it seemed important to make a stand for the Syria Crisis.Having given my few pennies (I’ll turn my heating down a bit/add an extra jumper … in order to heat a whole family) … I thought it was a really nice touch to see a ‘thank you’ video from David Bainbridge, International Director at Tearfund, indicating just how the money would help… feels personal although you know it’s the same for each giver.
I’ve been really impressed by Tearfund’s use of digital in general – and we get some of the stories via Holly & Katie on BigBible 
Extract from Press Release
The widespread fighting in Syria has affected over 4 million people, displacing many from their homes. Every day thousands of refugees are fleeing across the borders into neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, and many more are living with family and friends or in public buildings in Syria.
David Bainbridge: “The bitterly cold weather and the sheer number of displaced people means that we have to act. Ultimately we want to help people to return to their homes but their immediate needs are food, somewhere to stay and ways to keep warm.”
Photo Credit: Eleanor Bentall/ Tearfund
Extract from Katie’s Interview:
Katie: Could you tell us your story of how you came here from Syria and who came with you?
Aamil*: We were living in Deraa when something like 20,000 soldiers came into our neighbourhood. They started shooting and killed about 300 people. They also burned our houses.
So we left our homes carrying nothing, no money, no food, no clothing, only the things that we are wearing, that’s all.
They were pursuing us with tanks so I took my whole family and left that neighbourhood. We left immediately and went to Zaatari in Jordan.
(Zaatari is the big official refugee camp.)
*Name has been changed.
The interview continues to say that the family could only survive one week in the camp, where it was very cold, and hard to care for an elderly father, and a disabled son, so the family has rented a room – expensive, unheated, and with food hard to access. The family has an appointment with the UN Refugee Agency, but not until June 2013 – before which they don’t have a card which will allow them to buy food.
You can donate to the appeal by calling 0845 355 8355 or at www.tearfund.org/syria
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And how cool is it to have someone create me in cartoon form…
Though there are comments re similarity to a certain TV character:
And here’s the official press release – available to chat if anyone would like to.
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Having spent the last week feeling fed up stuck in bed with a massive temperature, and getting pretty fed up, yesterday I finally got around to reading Katie Piper’s Beautiful. Soon puts things in perspective, and with a friend’s child who’s recovering from severe electrical burns, and other friends with skin conditions, I’m feeling inspired: Check out what’s she’s now getting up to:
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Mary Jackson, Creativity in School Grounds #TEDx @LTL_Outdoors (#GB12)
Posted on: 24-05-2012
Category : Charity & Social Action
Just really enjoyed watching this talk by a friend of mine:
She’ll also be running a workshop at Greenbelt this year, so look out for her session – I’ve heard some of her plans, and I’m keen to go!
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Second Hand Clothes Only (#FIPI)
Posted on: 14-04-2012
Category : Charity & Social Action, Inspirational
A really interesting story about someone who gave up her £100 a month clothes shopping habit and wore only clothes from charity shops, setting herself some rules:
First, I set myself some rules. All the clothes I bought had to be thoughtful purchases (no more impulse buys) and from shops where the proceeds go to charity — vintage, or any other variety of second-hand, did not count. I made an exception for underwear. Weirdly enough, I’m not crazy about wearing other people’s knickers.
The first challenge of my new shopping life was to find some “new” work clothes. I’m employed in a high-end hotel, so looking professional in the office is a necessity and attending a meeting looking like a rag-bag was not an option.
In a panic I started scouring the charity shops in my local area, Notting Hill. To my surprise I found most were stocked with a vast supply of smart cast-offs from locals a lot more affluent than me. I was quickly knee-deep in an array of great skirts, jackets and dresses — and even managed to acquire a Gucci blazer for just £21.
Picking up more casual items for the weekend and nights out — including everything from suede and leather skirts to chiffon, floral print tops — was also not a problem. I soon found that other recent high-street styles, including a leather 1920s-style aviator jacket (just £15!), were easily found on the second-hand rails.
Read the full story.
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Getting Ready to Run for the @NSPCC #GetBexRunning
Posted on: 29-03-2012
Category : Charity & Social Action, Fitness
A little parcel that turned up in the post this morning! Which also let me know about options for signing up for a fundraising page (I try and spread out my fundraising so I don’t ask for anything more than once a year, usually 2!):
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/drbexl
They’ve got some great social media going on on the page too, and v. impressed to get a response on Facebook within 20-30 minutes after posting a hello! So who’s going to help me keep going (it kept me going for the Moonwalk, when I’d raised £400!)
So, now, “all” there is to do is to get the trainers back on, and get back on the streets… well, aside from the fact that I’ve been working on building up the muscles in my legs – stretching, swimming, circuit training, some realignment of my muscles by Winchester Holistics!
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Really interesting article in i paper tonight, from Richard Curtis, talking about some of the things he’s tried for Comic/Sport Relief, which haven’t necessarily worked, but the value in trying:
Fundraising in schools has always been absolutely key to our success – and, one year, we came up with the cracking idea of writing a little play that every school in the country could perform on Red Nose Day. Fresh off the back of writing Four Weddings and a Funeral, I was pretty sure I was the man for the job.
I wrote a 15-minute epic, in which children had to dress as various vegetables – and there was a very good moral at the end about social justice and parsnips or something. Throbbing with expectation and the excitement of creating a dramatic phenomenon, we sent out 22,000 copies of the play to the UK’s schools.
Final research revealed that, in the end, eight schools performed it. We never found out the total money raised. But it wasn’t a lot. Something in the region of £50. Or a bit less.
Read full story.
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Last year was the first year that I really “did” anything for Lent, when I organised The Big Read 2011. I had watched (particularly non-Christian) friends giving things up, but not participating…
Lent is the time when we are preparing for Easter, which some have described as ‘New Year for Christians’ – when we remember the 40 days of preparation that Jesus spent in the desert:
Taken up for 2012?
This year, I am again running ‘The Big Read 2012‘. We had the materials prepared a lot sooner, and have prepared social media layers, so there’s more conversation – but a lot of it is still going on offline – people keep saying how wonderful it is – would love people to demonstrate that by partaking more online
Given up for 2012?
For a couple of months I’ve been trying to sort out my cupboards by eating up what’s in them, and increasing my “local” shopping, but still ending up at the supermarket with £100 trolley loads… which then don’t seem to add much to the choices in the cupboard (and I’m not feeling particularly flush in the pocket so need to save some ££)! So, for Lent, I’ve formalised that – no shopping in the big out of town supermarkets (and avoiding the in-town ones if possible).
- Last Sunday I went to the Farmer’s Market & shot around – spending about £20 – not a huge amount of stuff, but very tasty!
- Yesterday I made it into town, picking up milk in £land, £13 worth of fruits & veg from the marketstall (towards end of day, when they are down-pricing everything).. not sure if even then I don’t have too much
- I seem to be whizzing around the country, so I have pre-cooked a load of meals yesterday to put in the freezer – as I don’t want to waste food either.
I’m thinking more about what I need, what I’m buying, and having a more interesting range of foods, as I had bought things meaning to try them, but it seemed easier to buy something else! Let’s see how we get on…
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I’m signed up for the @Great_Run (South)
Posted on: 30-10-2011
Category : Charity & Social Action, drbexl, Event, Fitness
At this point, I’ve just signed up for the Great South Run, 28th October 2012.
In 2006, I was on a ski trip in January, and said that I would run the Manchester 10k (May) .. thinking it didn’t sound that far… but after 1 minute on the treadmill, I was slightly dying, so joined the running club. My aim was to get it done in 1 hour 30 minutes, but I did it in 1 hour 8 minutes 26 seconds…
Later that year, after sharing a bottle of wine with a friend, we signed up for the Winchester 10k, which was a WEEK later (and I was still running, but definitely not at the same level), but I completed that in 1 hour 6 minutes! I’m sure it’s more hilly also…
In the time since, I’ve been travelling around the world (where I got a chest infection), partaken in a number of computer based jobs, and I felt the need for something to inspire me to get my ‘get up and go back’ (I’ve been back at the gym for over a year, and love the classes there)… and know that running before, though I don’t particularly “enjoy” it, I really reap the benefits from it… and seeing @batty_towers talking about her runs, a friend running today in the Great South Run, and seeing the apps that show how far you’ve run (seen those Tweets about #runkeeper?). Also see:
I’ll be running on behalf of the NSPCC, so at some point there will be an appeal for sponsorship, but encouragement & support will be greatly appreciated!
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Thanks to DJ Foz for this video.
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I do not want ART for a few.. (William Morris)
Posted on: 15-12-2010
Category : Academic, Charity & Social Action
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The Speed Lottery… what a great (rewarding!) idea
Posted on: 17-11-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Experimentation, Inspirational
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The Big Society and Public Spending Cuts – Archbishop of York expresses concerns
Posted on: 21-10-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Christian
“
The Church employs more youth workers than any other organization and is involved on a daily basis trying to make the lives of young people better. What I am trying to say is that the Church understands the importance of volunteering and being active in our communities. As one of my predecessors, Archbishop William Temple said, “The Church is the only organisation that exists for the wellbeing and fraternity of its non-members”.
But what we must not forget that the state has responsibilities too.
There is a reason we pay our taxes. Whilst it is easy to pretend that much of our hard earned cash goes to fund expense fiddling MPs, disreputable casino-style banks or mad politically-correct quangoes for do-gooders – actually we should expect the state to run and fund strong public services, with our money.
How to raise that money is another question. I am not an economist, and I am not a politician, but to cut investment to vital public services, and to withdraw investment from communities, is madness.
You do not escape an economic downturn by cutting investment and by squashing aspirations.
The Government has signalled for a long time that cuts must be put in place to tackle the economic deficit. The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) is the swinging axe that follows the cuddly blanket and soothing words of “The Big Society”.
I know many people today will be afraid of what the Government cuts outlined in the CSR will mean for them and their families.
I think we would all accept that this is a difficult time for our country economically. There are difficult choices to be made, and real debates to be had about what is the best way forward. Debate, discussion and compromise can all be positive when those involved are conducting themselves in the right spirit. However we need to ensure that no-one is left behind.
The promotion of social justice should be a primary moral imperative for any government, and for every publicly funded institution. For when the government puts the promotion of social justice at its heart, we can stand together as one nation, as one people in solidarity with each other, recognizing the dignity of all, and affording all fair and equal opportunities for access and services. Freedom, fraternity and informed choice must characterise our social fabric.”
Read full story.
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Watch this:
and check out the website.
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The Elephant Project, Cambodia
Posted on: 20-09-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Inspirational, Travel & Adventure
I used to work with Jack Highwood on the IT Counter at the University of Winchester. I was doing my PhD, Jack his degree… and he decided to go out to Cambodia, where he’s been for several years. I always think it’s great to see people following their passions in life, and there’s no doubt that Jack is passionate about what he’s doing out in Cambodia. I went to Cambodia, but was on fixed timetable, so it wasn’t possible to visit… tempted though! This year, however, it’s Egypt!
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Message received from Head of Security (University of Winchester), from a colleague in another university.
“The new telephone ‘scam’ has arrived. I received a call from a ‘representative’ of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date.The guy wasn’t even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental! I asked the guy’s name – the very ‘English’ John Peacock with a very ‘African’ accent – & phone number – 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 . Obviously the fella realised I wasn’t believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone – he would disconnect my phone to prevent this. AND HE DID!!My phone was dead – no engaged tone, nothing – until he phoned me again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then. I said that I didn’t know how he’d done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn’t believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up. Did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number – not recognised. I phoned the police to let them know, I wasn’t the first! It’s only just started apparently but it is escalating. Their advice was to let as many people know by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it’s real, so please let as many friends & family aware of this. This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number – it should have been 0800 800152 0800 800152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can’t dial out – but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back.
You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable. Obviously, if this scam is real, once they have your credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them cleaning out your account.”
The story itself is not a scam, it’s made it to the BBC as well. Sites such as Scambusters and Hoax-Slayers can help you tell if that email, etc. that you receive is for real or not.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-10989.
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Simon Cohen, TEDxTeen
Posted on: 10-08-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Christian, Digital Media
TEDxTeen 2010 – Simon Cohen from We Are Family Foundation on Vimeo.
I had the privilege of meeting Simon this morning. I’m looking, for @bigbible, to do something like his Tole-Rants (so impressive), but I need to do it on a shoestring… The guy is engaging, interested, incisive, insightful and all round good guy. Here he is in action changing the world…
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Are you wondering what to do on Sunday 13th June 2010?! Wonder no more. The event ‘Open Farm Sunday‘, run by ‘Linking the Environment and Farming‘, has been running since 2006. Farmers who are enthusiastic about ensuring that their farming practices are the best for the environment open their farms to the public for a free day out. What’s available on each farm varies, but my brother, who has been running an event on his farm since 2007, has brought in other farmers so the widest range of animals can be seen, including bulls, sheep, chicken, calves, cows being milked… along with tractor rides around the fields, and food such a a hog roast (very tasty!)… read my niece’s ‘Press Pack’ report from 2009 (and the farm experiments with Facebook for 2010).
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Beating the Bounds of Winchester
Posted on: 25-04-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Event, Travel & Adventure
I’ve always fancied doing this, anyone want to go in a team with me? I’m not the fastest of walkers…
Hampshire’s residents, groups and businesses are being asked to put their best foot forward this spring to help raise funds for the homeless charities in Winchester.
The Rotary Club of Winchester is holding a “Winchester Walk for the Homeless – Beating the Bounds” event on Sunday 9th May in an effort to raise £50,000 for Winchester’s homeless charities, Trinity Winchester, Winchester Churches Nightshelter and Keystone.
Individuals, families, schools and businesses are invited to join in one of three picturesque walks around the Winchester area. Starting from the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, walkers will take in the sights from the Itchen River to the Worthies and back again via well loved historical places and wonderful views.
Michelle Gardner, Chief Executive, Trinity Winchester says: “Traditionally, residents of a parish walked the boundary to share knowledge about where the borders lay, and to pray for protection and blessing of the land. Now many parishes continue this ‘Beating the Bounds’ tradition to strengthen the community and we hope to bring the Winchester community together whilst raising funds for those less fortunate who live within it.”
Walkers are invited to choose a 12-mile trek, a 5-mile stride or a 1.5-mile family-friendly stroll, and to raise sponsorship money for their efforts. All monies raised will go straight to the charities concerned. Parties will set off between 9am and 12 midday on Sunday 9th May with a guide map and instructions, and all the routes will be signed and marshalled. A finish-line party will be held in the Cathedral grounds during the afternoon from 12 midday until 3.30pm, with refreshments, games, army band and children’s entertainments.
Registration is easy online and costs just £10 per person (or £20 for a group of up to five people) at www.winchesterwalk.co.uk.
Michelle Gardner continues: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise vital funds for people in Winchester who often go un-noticed and un-appreciated, whilst learning about the area in which we live. Winchester has some stunning scenery and architecture, and this will be a great chance to explore the city and meet new people. We hope clubs, sports teams and local businesses will join residents in helping support those around us get back on their feet.”
For more information, visit www.winchesterwalk.co.uk, or call Gavin Blackman on 01962 883932, check out Facebook or Twitter.
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Jamie Oliver’s school dinners shown to have improved academic results
Posted on: 05-04-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Christian
He has been ridiculed by the chat show host David Letterman, accused of high-handedness by a local radio DJ and reduced to tears by recalcitrant fast food-consumers during his war on American obesity. He has even dressed up as a giant pea pod in an attempt to turn the US on to his healthy eating agenda.
So Jamie Oliver will doubtless be relieved to hear of a timely reminder of his more gilded reputation back home. Today an audience of prestigious economists was told that the healthier school dinners introduced by the celebrity chef had not only significantly improved pupils’ test results, but also cut the number of days they were off sick. The effects, researchers said, were comparable in magnitude to those seen after the introduction of the literacy hour in the 90s.
The proportion of 11-year-olds in Greenwich, south London, who did well in English and science rose after Oliver swept “turkey twizzlers” and chicken dinosaurs off canteen menus in favour of creamy coconut fish and Mexican bean wraps, according to a study of results in the south east London borough.
The number of “authorised absences” — which are generally due to illness – fell by 15% in the wake of his 2004 Feed Me Better campaign, brought into the nation’s sitting rooms via the Channel 4 series Jamie’s School Dinners.
- Read the full story in The Guardian.
- Read my review written for Damaris Culturewatch in 2006: “Challenging a fast-food culture” – something I’d love to research further, along with some of the research undertaken by Beyond Chocolate – I am just interested in way too many things
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Awesome video challenging us to think about the use of bottled water… I buy a couple of bottles each month to refill, maybe I should invest in a couple of refillables and some Milton
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I spent February to June 1994 in Brazil, staying with a family distantly related to me, who were supported by the Good Shepherd Trust, a charity which has now disbanded. Andrew and Gaynor’s work involved arranging international adoptions, whilst Andrew was also involved in running a Christian book distribution organisation. They were also responsible for a couple of homes in São Paulo (which are being run by another charity) run for children taken directly off the streets, where they were cared for whilst new parents were found. I spent quite a bit of time in these homes, helping to look after the children (first time I’ve changed a nappy, and I’m not in a hurry to do it again!), but spent most of my time looking after the children that Andrew and Gaynor had adopted, getting up at about 6.15am, but having most of the afternoons to myself, time which I largely spent wandering around Mogi das Cruzes, trying to learn some Portuguese! I also spent a week in Rio de Janeiro with my Mum’s cousin, and a week near the Mato Grosso, with a couple I met on the plane. I was in Brazil when Aryton Senna died, in fact walking past the Interlagos race circuit the day he died. It was as if Royalty had died!
Here are some photos of my defining moments, experiences and impressions of Brazil!
www.flickr.com
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It was a very challenging time in my life, as I had never been away from home before (aside from Guide camps 1/2 hour’s drive from home), had never flown before, didn’t know the language, didn’t know what I was letting myself in for, etc. The first two weeks were a nightmare, and I very much wanted to go home, but I persevered and after it got past the halfway point it was much easier! It certainly made going away to university much easier.
LINKS:
- Jubilee Action: Brazil Community Project /Music School
- Oxfam: Work in Brazil
- Not for Kids: Street Children Take over National Congress, 1995
- Task Brasil: The Abadoned Street Kids of Brazil Trust
- Cross-Cultural Solutions: International Volunteer Programme
- Check Amazon for books on Brazil
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I DID IT, I DID IT… in about 8 and half hours, which we didn’t think was bad as we had to stop/queue a couple of times, and sheer volume of people made it difficult to move any quicker! I really didn’t realise quite what a big challenge this would be until I started training for it, but I kept going (despite the move to Manchester), and sponsorship was a great incentive. I didn’t expect there to be QUITE so much pain afterwards, but it’s slowly improving (written Tuesday after!).
www.flickr.com
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A sure-fire winner with everyone (especially me on My Birthday… yes, it’s my birthday today!)!
Take:
- 1/2 pat butter (butter/margarine mixture)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 dessert-spoon drinking chocolate powder
Meltall the above ingredients down in a large saucepan, on the lowest heat possible. SUGGESTION: Towards the end of melting time, try adding Maltesers!
Take:
- about 3/4 large packet of digestive biscuits
Bash them up, and stir in until liquid is no longer sticking to the sides.
Butter a medium sized baking/roasting tray (any shape), and throw the mixture in. Flatten with the back of a spoon.
Take:
- A 200g bar of FAIR TRADE milk chocolate (or more if you wish).
Melt it for a couple of minutes (max) in the microwave, and spread over the top.
Allow the chocolate to set (it can be placed in the freezer if you wish it to take less time!)
The cake is then ready to eat: Beware, it’s very rich!
This recipe is great for any occasion, it is quick to thrown together, and is not too expensive! You can experiment with other than digestives. I’ve tried Rich Tea biscuits, and my mother likes muesli. We have also tried the added ingredient of Maltesers – that works pretty well. Tell me your ideas.
e=mc2: Elation = Munching x Chocolate 2 !!!!!
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- Large ripe FAIR TRADE bananas x 3 (When mashed, there should be 12 fl oz.)
- 375g Plain flour
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Salt
- 3 eggs
- 125ml Vegetable Oil
- 200g Granulated sugar (unrefined)
- 100g Soft brown sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla Flavouring
- Tbsp Lemon Juice
Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, Gas 4).
Take 2 loaf tins, or a couple of bun tins and wipe with butter, then sprinkle with flour. (Or line with foil)
Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre.
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until just mixed. Add the oil, sugars, vanilla, lemon juice, and mashed bananas.
Pour three-quarters of the banana mixture into the well in the flour, and stir with a rubber spatula.
Gradually draw in the dry ingredients, adding the remaining banana mixture, and stirring to make a smooth batter.
TAKE CARE: Do not overstir the batter or the bread will be heavy.
Spoon the batter into the prepared tins. The tins should be about half full.
Bake the loaves in the heated oven until the loaves start to shrink from the sides of the tins and a metal skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean, 40-60 minutes.
Let the loaves cool, then you can eat!
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- British Farmers Need Our Support (October 2008)
- What is the best way to support British Farmers? (April 2008)
- Campaign for British Farmers to get a Fair Deal (October 2007)
- Check out how British Farmers are working with the environment, and opening their farms to you (annually, June)
The supermarkets are now stocking more and more Organic, Fair Trade and Local items. Fair trade items include coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, geobars. Keep your eyes peeled for other items! Also look at buying items locally at Farmers Markets (Hampshire) or through Organic Doorstop Delivery Schemes, including:
- Riverford (most of the South-West)
- River Nene (central England)
- Organic Delivery (London)
- Unicorn Grocery (non-delivery Chorlton, Manchester)
- Limited Resources (Manchester)
- Organic Listings Directory
Check Big Barn for local producers.
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- Eldis Corporate Social Responsibility (Resource Guide)
- Ethical Consumer (Online Magazine)
- Ethical Junction (linking business/consumers)
- Ethical & Fairtrade Tourism
- Ethical Money (The Guardian articles)
- Fair Trade Federation (American)
- Fairtrade Foundation (Organises Fair Trade Fortnight, next 1-13 March 2005)
- IFAT: The International Fair Trade Association
- Jubilee Campaign – Human Rights Issues
- Make Trade Fair (Oxfam Campaign)
- Rough Guide to Fair Trade (promoted by the Post Office) PDF file
- Sure Fish (Ethical living guide)
- Traidcraft (fighting poverty through trade)
- World Trade Organisation (Establishes rules of trade between nations)
More articles
- New Internationalist: Fair Trade (April 2000)
- Development Gateway: Trade (September 2003)
- Global Exchange: Fair Trade Coffee (Regularly updated)
- Shop til they stop: a confused consumer’s guide to shopping for a better world (Salt of the Earth, 1999)
- Sustainable Table: Buying Local (October 2006)
- Latest news stories on Google relating to Fair Trade
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Fair Trade Fortnight for 2010 starts today, and runs until 7th March. This year the theme is “The Big Swap”:
- Follow on Twitter
- Become a Fan on Facebook
- See Photos on Flickr
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- Amnesty International Shop
- Cafe Direct (Coffee)
- Divine Chocolate
- Dubble Chocolate (delicious)
- Epona (Organic and fair trade sportswear (at least, all the cotton is organic))
- Ethical Superstore
- Greater Good Network (with The Hunger Site)
- Hug (Organic and fair trade – clothing)
- Level Ground (Coffee)
- Natural Collection (See “bed & bath” and “eco clothing” – organic but not necessarily fair trade)
- New Internationalist (Lots in common with Amnesty but may be some extras…)
- One Village
- Oxfam: Ethical Collection Ethically traded fashion
- Oxfam Unwrapped
- People Tree (Organic and fair trade – clothing)
- RSPCA: Conscientious Consumer
- SureFish: Fair Trade ISP
- The Body Shop: Community Trade
- The Co-Op Group
- The Leprosy Mission: Order a Catalogue through the ‘Shopping’ Link or buy online.
- Traidcraft Fair-Trade Store (Run by Traidcraft), including Fine Wines
- Tribes Travel, supporting The Tribes Foundation
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Read more on Fair Trade
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How it works
The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny tax on bankers that would raise billions to tackle poverty and climate change, at home and abroad.
By taking an average of 0.05% from speculative banking transactions, hundreds of billions of pounds would be raised every year.
That’s easily enough to stop cuts in crucial public services in the UK, and to help fight global poverty and climate change.
Why now?
Because of the financial crisis, frontline services at home – like the NHS and our schools – are under fire.
At the same time, poor communities and the environment are being hit hard – as aid and green budgets are slashed by rich countries.
So it’s time for the people who caused this mess to pay to clean it up.
Who’s in?
Gordon Brown, Angela Merkel (the German Chancellor) and Nicolas Sarkozy (the French President) have all spoken out in support of a tax on financial transactions.
Plenty of business bigwigs are on-board too. Like Lord Turner (from the Financial Services Authority), George Soros (the philanthropist) and Warren Buffet (US businessman extraordinaire). And then there are the hundreds of economists who have backed the idea, too.
This isn’t some crazy pipedream. It’s a simple and brilliant idea which transcends party politics and which – with your support – can become a reality.”
Sign up on the website, follow on Twitter, join on Facebook and YouTube.
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““I didn’t feel that there was a huge amount of clothes out there that are Fair Trade and organic and it’s so great to give people the choice to wear something that makes the world a better place, to wear clothing that does some good. Clothes are fabulous and can transform the way someone feels about themselves and you can transform someone’s life at the same time, which is a pretty amazing thing to do.” said Emma.”
Emma Watson, better known as Hermione Grainger in the Harry Potter films, acted as a creative advisor, indicating that she found there weren’t enough ethical options for the under 25s. As we’ve always said, we’ll eat, drink and wear Fair Trade… but it has to be something we want, it can’t just be about charity!
Read the full story
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Used to think this film was a hoot, so this 4 mile race, on behalf of Barnardos, caught my eye.
After my chest infection (started in Rome on the Europe Tour, June 2008 – well, at least it was somewhere exotic), my fitness has deteriorated massively, so in November I was prescribed “exercise” (I asked if it was possible, give me that little push back to the gym that I used to love going to!), so I have been making it down twice a week, excepting skiing/cold/snowbound over the last 3 weeks. 
Back in today (I walked, my car is snowed in again!), met with GP-Referral lovely Lydia, and said I’d been trying to run again, but that about 1.5 minutes was my limit… so she ‘prescribed’ trying a slower speed (7.5, rather than 9.5, I used to get up to 11.5) for 2 mins, then walk for 1-2 – and with that I managed 6 minutes + the intervals, and then decided I needed a target to aim for! Karen gave me this book for my birthday last year, as she knows I have run before (and we did the Moonwalk together) and once I’m out there, find it really helps my mindset!
So, there we are, 2nd May 2010, I shall be running 4 miles around London dressed as a nun (so that’s going to be an early start for me too!) – apparently Barnardos are likely to be in touch re-fund-raising, but I’d love your encouragement
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Thanks Pennie Ley for the reminder of this video – seen it before – can’t help but smile when you watch it! Reminds me of the Winchester Flashmob.
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Gok Wan supports Body Confidence in the Classroom
Posted on: 28-11-2009
Category : Charity & Social Action
Because of practices like the above, many women (and men!) are left striving for unachievable body shapes, and spend their lives miserable with their bodies. Beyond Chocolate drew my attention to the below, which is open for signing until 23rd December 2009 (Sign Here.):
“A proposal for a new compulsory hour per year in the PSHE curriculum that will deal with the problems teenagers face when it comes to their appearance. The lesson will attempt to tackle confidence issues early so they don’t have a chance to develop, so young people in the UK will not be held back by their lack of self esteem and self belief. The lesson content will be created by a team of experts and psychologists and will include preliminarily:
- talks from outside experts
- making teens aware of the techniques magazines and fashion houses employ to make models/celebs look unrealistically perfect
- challenges to help the teens not to obsess so much about appearance and not to use as much make-up/fake tan;
- tips for body confidence collated by psychologists
This is an incredibly important campaign, as nothing is being done in our schools to counter-act the incredible swelling in the UK of media exposure and its consequent negative influence on teenage self esteem. Your backing would be greatly appreciated.”
Sign Here.
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SuperBadger is an application that has been developed for Facebook by Tear Fund. As the Fan Page states:
“Are you bored of pointless applications? Want to do something that counts? Then it’s time for you to join the movement of Facebook badgers, and use your voice to fight global poverty.
With SuperBadger you can send prewritten emails straight from your profile to the people making the decisions – whether it is badgering politicians about climate change or badgering supermarkets to stock more Fairtrade products – can you rise all the way to Super Badger?”
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Winchester Churches Nightshelter
Posted on: 27-11-2009
Category : Charity & Social Action, Christian
WCNS offers an essential lifeline where basic needs of shelter, food, and hygiene can be met but also offers other vital help in easing loneliness, providing a secure support network to address problems, and a start to being included in society and ‘feeling more human’ again. See ‘The Big Sleep Out‘
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WaterAid works in partnership with local organisations in 15 countries in Africa and Asia to help poor communities establish sustainable water supplies and latrines, close to home. WaterAid also works to influence governments’ water and sanitation policies to serve the interests of vulnerable people
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UCB produces “The Word for Today“, distributed free-of-charge in a number of countries. I’ve found it very helpful.
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Tearfund is committed to working in partnership (both short and long-term) with evangelical Christians, enabling them to fulfil their ministry to the poor. Tear Fund focuses upon the following issues, although it remains open to change/reaction to current needs:
- Development and Capacity Building
- Public health, including HIV/AIDS
- Children at Risk
- Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
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The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants. Currently, nearly 10.5 million people are eligible for their support and they receive thousands of calls for help every year.
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Oxfam supports the following issues.
- Trade
- Education
- Debt and aid
- Livelihoods
- Health
- HIV/AIDS
- Gender equality
- Conflict and natural disasters
- Democracy and human rights
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The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is the UK’s leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. They have been directly involved in protecting children and campaigning on their behalf since 1884.
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Medair is a non-governmental organisation independent of any political, economic, social or religious authority. Its mission is exclusively humanitarian and it accomplishes its work in a spirit of dedication and solidarity, inspired by its Christian values. It does not proselytise.
Medair’s objectives are to respond to suffering victims in war and disaster situations (especially those which have been forgotten or neglected) through various kinds of emergency and rehabilitative projects.
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At LICC, we believe that every part of our lives comes under the Lordship of Christ, and that all of life is a context for worship, mission, ministry and active Christian engagement twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Our strategy therefore focuses on making whole-life discipleship a central, operational component of UK Church culture. I spent a great week on LICC’s Toolbox course, and have since met up with Brian Draper, including an afternoon retreat – which was EXCELLENT!
Watch the introductory video: why is life a peach and not an orange?
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Culturewatch helps you explore the message behind the media. We have hundreds of articles, study guides and video podcasts reflecting on films, books, music, television and more. CultureWatch contributors are all Christians, but it’s for everyone who wants to explore the message behind the media.
I have written a number of articles for Culturewatch:
And I’d love to write more if I can find the time!
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The Church Pastoral Aid Society trains leaders to be more effective and relevant in the modern world, therefore reaching more with the gospel of Christ, through means of Church patronage, training courses and youth camps.
Really pleased to see a new website up November 2009, as I was interviewed for a post which would have had me responsible for that (alongside lots of print media, which was where I had little experience).
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Born in 1799, in the crucible of the campaign to abolish slavery, CMS has always had justice and evangelism at its heart. CMS is a community that has heard God’s call to join in his loving outreach to the world and has rolled up its sleeves to serve others in mission.
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