workshops

Workshops

A practical and entertaining day is in store with a range of high profile speakers and useful workshops.

All the workshops are fully accessible and will contain tea and coffee.

Morning Sessions

The morning sessions run from 11.25 to 12.45

Bin there, done that

Martin Doherty, Belfast City Council; Claire McCallum, Bryson Recycling

Belfast City Council and Bryson Recycling are leading the way when it comes to putting household and office waste to good use. This workshop will explain what happens to all our recycled bits and pieces.

Claire and Martin will also offer some tips on how voluntary and community organisations can effectively recycle the stuff we no longer need.

Making healthier choices

Gary McFarlane, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health; Joan Devlin, Belfast Healthy Cities

When we talk about improving the environment its easy to forget what we are really talking about is improving our quality of life. This workshop will explain how changes in the environment impact on our health and the health of others.

It will explore what we mean by sustainable behaviour when it comes to health and what community and voluntary organisations can do to make a positive impact.

How big are your footprints?

Sarah McClintock, WWF

Carbon footprints are all the rage. We all know we have one and that we probably should be aiming for a smaller one. But what does it really mean?

This workshop will explain what a carbon footprint is, how to measure it and steps you can take to reduce yours

Afternoon Sessions

The afternoon sessions run from 1.45 to 3.00

You are what you eat

Lyn Donnelly, Southern Area Investing for Health Partnership

Does the food we buy really have an impact outside our own health or our own homes? How come it is easier for us to buy apples that come from South Africa rather than from Armagh in our local supermarkets?

This workshop will explore the impact of the food we eat on the environment we live in and vice versa.

I scream for ice cream

Margaret Lee, Cresco Trust

Sustainable living is all about being creative and changing how we do things to solve environmental, social and economic problems. This workshop is all about how voluntary and community organisations can be at the fore front of this change.

Cresco Trust is a social economy organisation based in Derry. In 2004 it open Northern Ireland’s only Ben & Jerrys PartnerShop. PartnerShops are Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream shops that are independently owned and operated by community based non-profit organisations. The PartnerShop is based in the Richmond Centre in Derry and offers supportive employment, job and entrepreneurial training to young adults that face barriers to employment. In this workshop Margaret will explain how Cresco Trust developed this innovative and successful venture.

It’s better with the lights off

Leeanne Rice, Action Renewables; Noel Williams, Energy Saving Trust

In these lean times this workshop will offer information on ways in which voluntary and community organisations can make changes which will reduce their energy bills as well as their carbon footprint.

It’s a win win really.

Art Attack (making art from recycled materials)

Play Resource and The Beat Initiative.

NICVAs neighbours at the Play Resource will take you on a tour of the vast amount of renewable materials available in their warehouse ready to be made into all kinds of arts and crafts.

The Beat Initiative, with a little help from workshop participants, will show you how they put the materials to good use.