Volunteering at Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel has always offered staff members half a day a month to spend on the volunteer project of their choice. Over the years, we've been involved in everything from activism and fundraising to rewilding and mentoring. Read on to find out how we've been helping out, both in our local areas and communities, and in taking part in big fights for justice across the world.

Stanmer Wellbeing Gardens

Sophie, one of our account managers, volunteers at the wellbeing garden in Stanmer Park, in Brighton, gardening and planting – they grow everything from cucumbers to strawberries. Food gets sent to the community kitchen where it’s distributed, and used to cook meals for those who usually don't have access to locally grown organic produce. “Volunteering there helps me to feel more connected to the place where I live,” says Sophie. “It’s great to spend time outside in nature, while making the space lovely for school groups and community groups to use.”

1625 Independent People

Eloise, one of our writers, has joined a mentoring programme in her home city of Bristol. The programme is run by 1625 Independent People, a local organisation who work young people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or leaving care. Mentors are there to help young people develop confidence and self esteem, and improve their interpersonal skills and wellbeing. Eloise has been paired up with a young person in her area for a year, and they have a monthly budget to spend in and around the city. Nice volunteering work if you can get it!

Sussex Nightstop

For 4 years Tim was chair of governors for the 6th largest school in the UK. He has also been hosting for Sussex Nightstop by opening up his family home to individuals in need of a bed for the night, usually because they are in danger of becoming a rough sleeper. They offer a welcoming and non-judgemental environment to get clean, wash clothes, have a hot meal, charge their phone, connect to wifi and have a good night's sleep. In 2020 Tim joined the board of trustees for Sussex Nightstop. Following the AGM in November 2020 he became chair.

Government’s Council for Sustainable Business

Justin, our founder, has been appointed sustainability lead in the UK Government’s Council for Sustainable Business. In this role, he’s been volunteering his time helping DEFRA ministers achieve the ambitious goals of their 25 Year Environment Plan and the Environmental Improvement Plan. This work has included creating Projects for Nature, a new online platform that connects prospective donors and businesses to 23 nature recovery projects across England, from restoring oysters to the Thames, to fixing fells in the Lake District. You can read about the work of Projects for Nature here.

PREVIOUS VOLUNTEERING

Beach clean ups

Like many of us, Lyn, our finance manager started 2020's lockdown with big ambitions - learning a new language or baking endless bread. However, one morning, whilst swimming in the sea off of Worthing and looking back into shore, she realised there was something much more immediate she could achieve: beach cleaning. Over lockdown she regularly headed out with gloves and an empty bucket, focusing on the smaller plastics not easily seen to the general passersby. She’s found fishing nets, face masks, cable ties, lighters, lollipop sticks and much more. Lyn has also recently built an amazing Christmas tree from an old pallet. Great carpentry skills - we’re very impressed!

Mentoring teenage girls

Catherine, our writer and sub-editor, started 2020 by mentoring with The Girls' Network. Working with young teenage women, the organisation aims to help with the important work of building up confidence and provide more opportunities. Catherine’s been paired up with a girl from a local, Brighton school and is looking forward to having a positive impact.

Raising funds for Yemen

Natasa - from our Travel Team – is a passionate environmental and social justice campaigner. In 2020 she co-founded the Daisy Chain festival with her friend Ivana, to raise awareness and funds for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen. A two day, donation based festival in November; it brought together a community of creative artists and wellness practitioners from all over the UK. Events included performances by musicians and spoken word artists, yoga and breath work classes, meditation, art workshops and more. Over £1600 was raised for the charity, Mercy Relief and Natasa is now busy planning the upcoming events schedule.

Rewilding our back gardens

During lockdown, Lisa, our graphic designer, was been busy in her garden, planting flowers and creating wild areas dedicated to bringing back the bees. She’s also been busy growing veggies in her newly adopted allotment space, learning from the forest worker elders who have lived in the row of forest cottages which she shares with them, their whole lives. She’s enjoyed swapping produce for eggs with her neighbours. Lisa also regularly heads out along her lane for litter picking sessions - finding everything from lunch packets to fly tipped bathrooms and kitchens. Yep, seriously.

Extinction Rebellion

In September 2020, Extinction Rebellion came together for the second big rebellion and Natasa, (yes, she’s been busy !) was photographing the event, as their South East photography coordinator. The protestors took over the streets of London for ten days, to bring awareness to the Climate Emergency, and the need for government action. Our local Brighton MP, Caroline Lucas made a few appearances too.