Eco Hub: Sue Hampton gets a green light

‘It is a place where people can talk, listen and share.’

I’m a member of Berkhamsted Meeting. I’m also the founder of the local branch of Extinction Rebellion, and it was after XR’s ‘The Big One’ march last year – supported by Quakers in Britain – that I called a meeting of local groups that might plough common ground together. The outcome was a small working group of women from Parents For Future, Transition Town Berkhamsted and XR Dacorum (me) which began looking for a way forward in the town. Soon we became committed to the idea of an Eco Hub meeting free of charge in our Meeting house one Sunday afternoon each month. It’s not a Quaker initiative as such but has the full support of Meeting.

Our hub is not on the scale of the original Climate Hub in Totnes which had inspired me. We had to start small, and to be honest prior to launch it felt like a lot of work for a few people. We sourced free or cheap wood to make a few display boards, having identified themes like ‘Energy’, ‘Nature’ and, yes, ‘Climate Change’, as well as town council projects. (Our team had acquired two local councillors, including my Quaker husband, and the local council newsletter ran an article about the hub.) We planned a year’s worth of themes and approached local speakers. The local Parents for Future committed to taking charge of a children’s activity each month. We looked for funding but kept our personal expenses low in the meantime. We created a logo and set up a website and a Facebook group. I made a banner from an old duvet cover to hang over the Meeting house wall. And we met regularly and communicated daily.

We are now preparing for the third Eco Hub, having already focused on energy and diet. The next theme will be ‘Natural Wellbeing’, with a wild/awe walk and making a ‘Love Is’ mural. Then it will be ‘Green Finance’. So far we have been delighted by the turnout, with lots of families taking part. But what do we hope to achieve?

Well, we provide information, and ways to source it. The hope is that people will act on this, making changes for the good of all. But we’re also trying to build a more connected and resilient community. Are we attracting mainly the eco-conscious and already committed? Maybe. But some come out of curiosity and say how much they’ve learned. We hope the clothes- and toy-swaps and free food will attract those who are struggling financially. The Eco Hub is a place where people can talk, listen and share.

I’m writing because there may be other Meetings that could host a similar initiative, and other Quakers who could try to create a team of people willing to make it happen. It’s a service aligned with all our testimonies. It’s a place where multiple arrestees like me can share values with those who do litter picks or work on community gardens. It’s not much in the context of climate chaos and ecological catastrophe, but it’s something and it feels positive. It feels like a way to grow.

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