News

CAG Devon

6 days ago

So happy to see this. :-) Ashburton Repair Cafe has launched its Click and Collect Repair Service, a first step towards getting back to regular monthly #repaircafe. They have also received a CAG Devon Revitalise grant for two mobile repair workstations. Check them out at #14 North Street, Ashburton (pre-booking essential).

Recycle Devon Teignbridge Action on Climate in Teignbridge

#repair #reuse ... See MoreSee Less

CAG Devon

6 days ago

#GoodNews :-)

Thrilled to share that our CAG Devon group Plastic Free Newton Abbot have been awarded "Plastic Free Community" status by Surfers Against Sewage. Working with local schools, community organisations and businesses since 2019 to reduce plastic use, the group have done particularly well to achieve this accolade in the current circumstances. They join over 700 local communities who have also achieved this status, including CAG Devon groups Dawlish Against Plastic and Uffculme Green Team, with others working towards it, including Sustainable Bishop and Sustainable Tiverton.

As Co-ordinator Betina Winkler says, “I'm so impressed by the engagement from so many people in our town. This is just the start. We are all determined to do much more. SAS Plastic Free Communities is an excellent programme we would recommend to any community thinking of going down the same route.”

What are you doing in your community towards plastic-free status? ... See MoreSee Less

CAG Devon

1 week ago

Last year CAG Devon took part in the Sustainable(ish) online festival. A year on and we're loving this post from Jen, marking #MentalHealthAwareness week. So many great ideas here.

What's your top tip for good mental wellbeing? Getting stuck in with your local CAG Devon group could be just the ticket.It's Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is Nature.

"Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world."

Mental health and the nature are inter-linked.
We can help our mental health at the same time as we help nature, and for anyone who is suffering from any degree of eco-anxiety, it's a really powerful thing to do.

It sounds very trite to say that the antidote to eco-anxiety is eco-action. And for anyone who is really suffering, it's clearly not as easy as that. But action IS a big part of it. Eco action can massively help us to feel more empowered, less alone, and like we're doing something.

Here's a quick brainstorm of some things that can help - do add your own in the comments!

🌳 Get outside
Sounds simple, and it is. But especially when the weather's crappy it can be hard to get up from in front of our screens and brave the elements. But getting into some green space can be super helpful.

🌳 Stop, look, listen
It's very easy to get lost in our thoughts and heads when and if we do make it outdoors. Or maybe we're even listening to a podcast and not really seeing or hearing what's going on around us. I'm shit at mindfulness, but try standing still for a couple of minutes. Look around you - what can you see on the ground, in the trees, in the sky? What can you hear?

🌳 Learn about the nature around you
Download the Seek app from WWF and use it to ID the plants, bugs and animals you spot. This is a great one to do with the kids!

🌳 Get your hands dirty
Some GPs are now prescribing gardening. It's great for mental health, and if you do it right, can be great for biodiversity and nature too. Plant some stuff (in peat free compost!), or create a wildlife pond.

🌳 Be part of something bigger
Join in with a campaign that shows you you're not alone.
Check out the #2minutebeachclean hashtag, or join in with Surfers Against Sewage #millionmileclean or Plantlife: saving wild plants #NoMowMay.

🌳 Find your tribe
Find a group of people you connect with. Whether that's online (I'm told the Sustainable(ish) with Jen Gale is pretty ace, and Knackered Mums Eco Clubhouse is according to several members 'the best thing I've done') or in person. Again, it helps to know that you're not alone, and you get to meet like-minded people all doing their bit to help the planet.

How about you?
What have your experiences been with eco-anxiety, and what helps you? ... See MoreSee Less