Sustainable Wantage

Sustainable Wantage is a Community Action Group, part of a network of over 100 similar CAGs across Oxfordshire, focused on activities that protect and enhance our natural environment and strengthen our local community. We are run by volunteers interested in actions that have a positive impact and increase our resourcefulness and resilience as a community.

Thanks for booking for our Jan Green Gym. Please meet outside the Ark Pre-School / the Butler Centre at 10am. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and gloves. If the weather&nbsp;is bad and we need to cancel or postpone&nbsp;this session we'll be in touch by email no later than 9am on the day.&nbsp; See you there!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Would you like to keep fit and help protect and enhance our local green spaces? If so why not join the Wild Wantage ‘Green Gym’, where you can help with practical outdoor tasks to improve habitats for local biodiversity. From gardening to tree planting, hedge care to scything, our regular volunteer work parties help your physical and mental well-being and our local environment. Jan Green Gym: The Ark Pre-school and the BeaconThis month we will be clearing and planting a selection of wildlife friendly shrubs and bulbs outside the Butler Centre in Church Street, and then popping round the corner to do some prep on a patch by the Beacon, ready for planting up in March. Meet outside The Ark Pre-School / The Butler Centre at 10am.

The Butler Centre

Thanks for booking for our Making Connections workshop, we look forward to seeing you at the Old Stables on Sat 17th Jan!

<h2>A workshop to explore connections and ways of working together</h2> Using the framework of Doughnut Economics as our guide, how can we ensure that our community and the environment thrive? Introduction to the&nbsp;speakers:Evelyn Sanderson&nbsp;Since retiring from General Practice, Evelyn is working to bring about a more sustainable future in Oxford and Oxfordshire. As a founding member of the Oxfordshire Doughnut Economic Collective she has been promoting this framework, working across sectors with local communities, policy makers and organisations. Evelyn campaigns for the preservation and connection of Oxford’s green spaces and the role of thriving, resilient urban ecosystems for our own wellbeing. Marcus Simmons&nbsp;has extensive experience&nbsp;across various fields, including high-technology development (government and corporate), youth work and education, and international development. He now works to support community contributions to Nature Recovery and other sustainability actions across Oxfordshire. As a member of Oxfordshire Doughnut Economics Collective, he is inspired how&nbsp;applying Doughnut Economics locally can make positive impacts easier to achieve, greater in scale, and better in quality. Sue Funge&nbsp;brings a wealth of lived and professional insight&nbsp;to developing&nbsp;and delivering courses and workshops relevant to individuals, communities, projects or services. Grounded in community development principles, her approach fosters inclusive participation and amplifies the voices of those often unheard — nurturing connection, belonging, and shared purpose.&nbsp;Sue was drawn to the Doughnut Economics Model for its holistic vision: a framework that honours both the social foundations essential for human flourishing and the ecological boundaries that safeguard our planet.&nbsp; Please come and join us to explore how the doughnut economic framework can be applied in the Wantage and Grove community. Free admission, donations welcome This workshop is organised in partnership with Oxfordshire Doughnut Economics Collective

Down to Earth Community Cafe

Thank you for booking for our Draughtbust your home workshop, we look forward to seeing you at The Mix on Sat 31st Jan 1-3pm. We'll share a 'Draughtbust your home' checklist ahead of the session; please bring your completed checklist or notes along on the day, plus any photos of particular issues in your home that you'd like to get advice on.

<h1>Want to keep warm, save energy and reduce your fuel bills?</h1> <h2>Learn how with the Sustainable Wantage Draughtbusters!</h2> In this workshop, Draughtbuster volunteers will talk you through how to fix draughts in your home and give you supplies with which to do this. To help you get the most out of this workshop we'll be sharing a 'Draughtbust your home' checklist when you book, so you can check your home and bring your findings along to the workshop. On the day the Draughtbusters will explain common issues and fixes, and advise on specific issues; if you have a particular issue you'd like to discuss it's useful to bring along some photos if you can. We'll also share our learnings on ventilation, and how to use your heating controls effectively. This workshop is free, please book to let us know you're coming along.

The Mix Community Space

Thank you for booking a repair slot. We hope we can help give your item a longer life. ﻿If you can’t make your appointment or you have further questions please get in touch: <a href="mailto:wantagemix@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(159, 34, 96);">wantagemix@gmail.com</a> / 07768 767787.

<h2 class="ql-align-center">Don’t chuck it - Fix it!</h2> We have volunteer fixers ready to help you repair all kinds of household and electrical items;&nbsp;from toasters and toys, to hairdryers and hoovers.&nbsp;For sewing repairs or tool sharpening please contact wantagemix@gmail.com. We are happy to help investigate most items, please only book in items that are easily transportable by 1 person. Please note: we cannot look at microwaves. Booking is required, please select a time slot. Maximum of 2 items per person on each Repair Cafe date, please book separate slots for each item. We offer to look at your item for free, if you are able to make a donation to help us keep running the Repair Cafe that is appreciated. Please be aware we are volunteers, not repair professionals. The repairers and organisers of the Repair Cafe are not liable for any loss that may result from advice and instructions concerning repairs or resulting from work performed in the Repair Café.

Thank you for booking, we look forward to seeing you at Pewit at 10am on Sat 21st Feb

Join us for a working session at Pewit woodland, making a clearing on the eastern side, moving fallen branches and having a general winter tidy. Bring along a packed lunch, and we'll provide hot drinks round the firepit. See <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1clHj-IpeTb15Dv4-7nx5YAEAuchzfAom/view?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> for directions and meeting point. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. If we need to cancel due to bad weather we will email no later than 9am on the day.

See google maps link for meeting point. N.b. the track to this point is rough.

Sustainable Wantage

Green Gym - Jan

Making connections

Draughtbust your home - workshop

Repair Cafe at The Mix

Work Party at Pewit Woodland