Creating a New Eco and Sustainable Living Shop

THORNHAM GIFT AND ECO SHOP

Help us raise £15,000 to develop our existing shop into a sustainable and eco-friendly grocery shop.

THE IDEA

Overconsumption, waste, pollution, and health are very relevant issues today. Concerns about global warming, and the amount of waste directed to landfills or exported abroad. Changing the way we shop is now a necessity not just an option. 

HOW CAN THE WAY YOU SHOP MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

By shopping locally and seasonally you decrease C02 emissions into the atmosphere, you are also supporting your local producers, makers, and farmers. Purchase what you need rather than overbuying this will help prevent waste and also save you money. Try to consider buying raw ingredients, rather than prepackaged over-processed foods which are detrimental to your health. Consider more sustainable household cleaning and personal care products, things that can be refilled, made, or reused rather than single-use only this will decrease the amount of waste placed in landfills.

WHAT THE SHOP WILL OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS

We have space to incorporate a number of sustainable product lines including refillable household products, Gravity Dispensers for dispensing dried foods by weight. Eco friendly and plastic free product lines. We already have a number of local producers and makers eager to bring their goods in for us to sell.

We can also give our customers time. Demonstrations and Workshops will be given by various experts on how to mix and prepare eco-friendly products, to show how simple these things can be.  Giving customers time and the confidence to have a go. 

Why limit the use of waste and single-use plastic, what's the point? Sometimes pictures speak louder than words!

Pictures supplied by Mick Mansfield (Beyond The Image) 

WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

The shop is open to the general public every day of the week, we are not just a grocery shop, but one that does and can offer so much more, an essential part of the community but with the emphasis on recycled and eco-friendly products with the opportunity of workshops and education in sustainable living. Promoting the sustainable living ethos Selling products bringing local producers and farmers in. and also supporting local artists and makers. The shop will be an essential part of the community but will encourage a much more conscientious approach to shopping.

THE FUTURE FOR OUR SHOP, GRAVITY DISPENSERS WILL BE PLACED ON THE  WALL OF THE GALLERY FILLED WITH AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF DRIED FOODS.

It's a great environment to shop, with an opportunity to purchase just what you need, making your shopping less expensive and limiting the potential for waste.

The photo was taken by Patrick Foster - Beyond the Image

This is us - John on the left and me Sophie on the right, behind us Artwork from John Parker our friend and supporter and amazing artist and teacher, and our man of the woods given to us by our dear friend and Artist Tom Lundlack, we would love you to come and see us, and if you could sponsor us that would be fantastic. The project is so exciting and we would love you to be part of it.

ABOUT SOPHIE

I was born in London but came to Suffolk when I was very little, and have lived and worked in and around Suffolk/Norfolk for most of my life;  Redgrave and Lopham Fens were my playground as a child. I trained as a Massage Therapist in 1998 and have run my own practice since then adding to my skill base over the years including the study of Ayurveda and Natural Health and 'Earthing' I understand how impactful the environment is on humans' physical and mental well being, and feel very strongly that we need to protect our environment, in turn, it will protect us. 

ABOUT JOHN

Originally from Southend-on-Sea, my background has been in construction, fabrication, design, and engineering. In recent years my focus has been more on what I can design and make from the things around me left going to waste. Old timber and pallets, scrap metal even recycling various plastics. To be involved in this project is a great opportunity for me to really focus on what people need and not necessarily what they want. If everyone could consciously do just one thing every day to save waste and raw materials it could make a huge impact. I feel we all have a responsibility now to take better care of ourselves and the way we live as well as the environment.

WHY THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING SHOP

It needs to be easier for people and communities to live more sustainably, we have amazing premises in the middle of the beautiful and preserved countryside. Our shop will benefit the community without being impactful on the environment, we have so many local producers, suppliers, and makers that need a place to sell their products. We want to make it easier for customers to make choices about purchasing more sustainable products.