Who are we?
Vision 21 is a charity that has championed environmental projects across Gloucestershire for almost 30 years. This latest project aims to create a dedicated community climate hub in St Pauls. We already run the Reclaim furniture reuse scheme. We are one of two founding partners for the CheltenhamZero business and community organisation network and Planet Cheltenham community initiatives, amongst other projects including community gardens and a network of Repair Cafes.
Why a hub?
'We have museums to showcase the past, we need spaces to practice the future.' - Andy Goldring, Leeds Climate Action Hub.
Community climate hubs are popping up across the UK, as focal points for enabling and empowering people to take climate action. We intend to use our hub as a space to host both our existing and new Planet Cheltenham project work, e.g. our Youth Climate Group and Climate Changemakers projects and we will work with the local community to identify other project ideas. Our Hub will also act as a venue to share skills and provide the know how to help communities to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate, as well as being a place for connection, improving health and wellbeing.
What is our goal?
Our goal is to create the Hub. Late 2021, Vision 21 purchased a brownfield site a short walk from Cheltenham High Street, which we plan to redevelop into a community climate hub as part of our 'Planet Cheltenham' project. With full architect's drawings and planning permission in place, we have already raised £100,000, which is roughly half the funds needed to complete the construction phase of the build. However, we need your help in closing the gap between the current funding level and our overall target of £200,000.
The building will not only house all our ambitious and innovative project work, it will also be working hard for us as a sustainable building example, with solar PV, rainwater harvesting and the latest energy efficiency technology.
Why donate?
Many people feel confused and overwhelmed in the face of climate change, inaction from governments and corporations can make people feel that what they do cannot make a difference. By supporting this project you are becoming part of the solution in our town. The UN IPCC has acknowledged the pivotal role of grassroots community climate action:
“Narratives that help explain where a community is, where it wants to go and how it intends to get there are an important enabler of transformation.” - IPCC Sixth Assessment Report: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Chapter 17
Planet Cheltenham will be more than just a building, it will be a place for learning, growth and fun, a trusted and thriving hub of activity, supporting the community and empowering people to act for people and planet.
