This is a trying time for all of us, which is why it's more important than ever to send out positive messages of hope.
We have seen so much creativity over the last few weeks related to ways of staying connected, entertaining children, starting new hobbies, and engaging in sustainable action.
We'll be updating this page with positive stories, local heroes in action, inspiring ideas and your #MindfulMerton snapshots, capturing moments of appreciation and new ways to care for each other and the planet as we spend more time indoors.
Our communities and environment are so precious. Let's stay positive, be thankful and protect what we have for today and the future.
#MindfulMerton - Your stories of positivity
Share your snapshots of moments in nature, sustainable actions and things that are keeping you busy and smiling. Tag us on Twitter @SustainableMert and Instagram @sustainablemerton using the hashtag #MindfulMerton, or send via email : )
Veolia UK is encouraging adults and children to take part in their #StreetSmiles campaign by creating a 'smiling sun' and displaying it in windows; ready to brighten the refuse workers' day and say thank you and stay safe as they keep our streets clean.
In the past year, 1,000 children around the UK have signed up to be Young Climate Warriors, taking part in weekly challenges to cut carbon emissions and working together as a ‘virtual’ team to respond to the Climate Emergency 🌍 Challenges will continue during the Easter holidays and throughout the time that schools are closed, providing a fun way for children to engage in sustainable action whilst they are at home. 🌱 Join the team today!
Looking for ways to get involved with sustainable action from home? Want to promote sustainable behaviour change? Giki Zero is here to help! Through an online demo, our Community Champions had the opportunity to learn about the new personal eco planner web app that helps people reduce their environmental impact. Now you can try it too!
Green&Blue share their ideas to keep you busy and in touch with nature. From making your own bird feeder or fat balls for garden birds to retrofitting a Bee Brick, there should be something for the nature lover in your household 🐦
How can we keep our minds and bodies healthy during these times of uncertainty? Time & Leisure Magazine shares expert advice on how to get a good night's sleep, reduce anxiety levels and feelings of isolation, and how counselling and hypnotherapy could help to improve your well being 🌼
🌈 Kommunity Kitchen is opening its first free hot meal delivery service in Wimbledon Park this week to help the vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The community-led initiative, founded by local businessman, Michael Woolsey, is now seeking volunteers, sponsors and donations to provide the funds to buy the food 🍲
With our hard-working volunteers continuing to cultivate the land and plant and sow at Phipps Bridge Community Garden, Community Champion Dan gives us a glimpse into life down on the land and reflects on what allomenting means to him, especially now 🌿 Merton Giving - AFC Dons come up to the plate
A group of kind-hearted football fans from AFC Wimbledon has set up an action group to help local people during the COVID-19 crisis 💙💛 The Dons Local Action Group has launched an urgent public appeal for food and donations can be dropped off at three venues in the borough - The Alexandra pub and Morrisons in Wimbledon and the Old Rutlishians' Association sports club in Merton Park.
The third and final Antique Road Show program featuring Morden Hall Park aired on Sunday 29th March and is now available on BBC iPlayer. Something that will hopefully bring a bit of entertainment in these challenging times. "An opportunity to remember that beautiful sunny day when the park was buzzing with people and our rose garden looked magnificent." - Morden Hall Park NT 🌳
Earlier this month, Sustainable Merton teamed up with Veolia to deliver a workshop at the Merton Libraries Spine Festival 🌏 With this year's theme being 'Sustainability and Climate Change', the team educated pupils on the importance of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling, encouraging a more sustainable relationship with clothes by getting crafty to make a reusable bag out of an old t-shirt ♻️👕 Have you found time to start a sustainable craft or project? Why not try making your own bag? A simple way to engage in sustainable action whilst we are spending more time in our homes.
As we find ourselves spending more time indoors, and for those unable to get outside for any reason, now is the time to think about how we can bring nature into our homes 🌺🌿 🌷 Kew Gardens have shared some great tips to get you started!
🚶 Keeping active is important for both our physical and mental well being, and for those of us able to take our daily exercise outdoors, walking is a great way to get our bodies moving. To help us stay safe and #WalkTheRightWay, Living Streets has put together a handy Q&A, along with some tips on how you can keep your walk fresh.
We're appreciating Merton's wonderful greenspaces more than ever 🌳 In line with Government guidance, you can leave home once a day for essential exercise but must remain 2m away from others to #StaySafe 💙
