Our Beginning:
Following the Sustainable Living Event in March 2019 held in Shrivenham Memorial Hall, the group’s founders met to discuss the possibility of doing more within the community to share ideas and resources to support people to make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives.
With the backing of the Parish Council Kate Myrie and Kate Mortiboy canvassed the local community to see what areas caused most concern with regards to human impact on the environment. Using the results they gathered other passionate locals together to form a Community Action Group that is a member of Community Action Groups Oxfordshire.
Kate Myrie
Founder & Hub Manager
I started to prioritise reducing single use plastics and waste in general at home about a year and a half ago. Some things were straight forward and others much harder.
I found that making changes required research and going out out of my way to find things and as a working family with two young children and a tight budget, that is not always so easy. I realised it was no wonder people aren’t managing to make any meaningful change.
In a bid to force myself not to give up and to share what I was learning as I went, I set up a Facebook page. From there I went on to organise a local event to share resources and try and help others make some changes too. That is where I met my new partner in crime, Kate Mortiboy. We joined forces to channel our passion into something more permanent. And he we are…grinning on this lovely website!
“I love being part of the Sustainable Shrivenham committee. We have a friendly and informal way of working together, which is an absolute pleasure to be part of. We are all trying to make positive changes in our lives and we have been so encouraged by the response from our community. We have so much more we could do with a little extra help. ”
Kate Mortiboy
Founder & Chair
2019 was a real awakening for me in terms of understanding the level of urgency there was, and still is, in dealing with climate change and pollution. This led me to embark on a journey that has taken me from a growing sense of futility and fear, to meeting with new like minded people and joining forces to set up Sustainable Shrivenham. I have discovered so much in such a short time and found laughter and friendship along the way.
I have realised that what we need is many people doing sustainable living imperfectly rather that one or two doing it perfectly. If we all try even in small ways then together we can effect a big change.I never thought at 57 that, among other things, I would be ditching the shop bought antiperspirant to rub a mixture of coconut oil, bergamot essential oil, cornflour and bicarb into my underarms, but it works, it’s cheaper and definitely more sustainable! It also smells great!!
I feel far more positive now about the kind of future our children, and all future generations, will be facing. I am looking forward to welcoming more and more people to the group and working with them to bring about change.
“Being a part of the Sustainable Shrivenham committee has given me so much purpose and hope for the future. Working with people who share a vision on how we can bring about change has opened my eyes to see that more and more the little changes we make individually can make the bigger change that is needed. Finding ways to support others to discover ways of making sustainable choices in their lives has been hugely rewarding. New friendship and laughter along the way has been an added bonus”
Jackie Wray
Secretary
I have always tried to do my best when recycling but know there are plenty more changes I can make to improve, particularly around single use plastic. My husband, David and I have had an allotment since 1995, so growing and using local produce has been an important part of our lives for a long time and when we moved to Shrivenham in December 2017 we joined both the Allotment and Garden Societies.
It’s a great village community and I wish to use some of the skills I’ve gained through my work in the voluntary sector to help Sustainable Shrivenham achieve its ambitious and exciting goals and improve the lives of all our families in the future.
Steph Muir
Committee Member (Head of Thrift 50)
I was asked to join the Sustainable Shrivenham committee early in 2020. I had been interested in recycling for some years and, with another hat on, had encouraged the Gardening Club to collect milk bottle tops, used postage stamps and ink cartridges for various charities. I am pleased that I will now be able to widen that net (organic, of course!) to include other items. I am also pleased that major companies are doing more to facilitate recycling, but why can’t they also encourage manufacturers to use more environmentally friendly containers in the first place!
“Being asked to join the Sustainable Shrivenham committee came at a difficult time in my life and I was a little apprehensive about what I could contribute. I needn’t have been. A really friendly, relaxed and fun-loving group of people and my knowledge and interest in all things sustainable has grown.”
Chris Taylor
Treasurer
Details to come :)
Laura Callahan
HR Officer [Non-Executive Director]
I have admired the work of Sustainable Shrivenham for some time. Not only the fantastic work they do to help others be more sustainable, but also the huge benefit to bring community spirit and creating a central place in our village for people to come together from all ages and walks of life. The leadership, the sharing and the giving of time and resources is highly admirable.
I absolutely couldn’t say no when Kate asked me to join as a Non-Exec Director to bring my HR experience and knowledge to the Hub. I am so proud to be part of such of an incredible group.
Dave Wray
Grants Officer [Non-Executive Director]
I have a long background of volunteering and working in the Charity and Community sector including 4 years as CEO of Voluntary Action Swindon which has given me experience and expertise across a range of areas.
When I saw what wonderful work Sustainable Shrivenham was doing in my community, I approached them and asked if I could help, and they said yes.
Like my wife Jackie, I have had a long-term interest in being environmentally friendly and through our involvement we have learnt even more that we can do.
