The Wonderbag
This curious, cushion like device, the Wonderbag, can reduce a family’s fuel usage by 30 per cent, saving money and reducing carbon emissions. Initially designed for use in developing countries, it is now on its way to the UK.
Ness Soaps
By Jenny McBain To step into the shop front of Ness Soaps in Inverness is to enter a world of intoxicating smells and enticingly packaged products. But it is much more than that. Ness Soaps is, in fact, a social enterprise based in the Highland capital, Inverness. The company makes luxury soaps and other toiletries […]
Emmaus
“If I hadn’t come here, I would be dead.” John Gall, the day manager at Emmaus Cambridge, doesn’t look at all like a man who spent 10 years on the street. He is sure of himself, looks healthy and is happy. He is open about his story of living rough and finally being recommended to […]
Occupy Teatro Valle
Once upon a time there was a theatre in the heart of Rome. It was the brainchild of Roman nobleman Camillo Capranica, who put the project into the hands of architect Tommaso Morelli. They decided to call it Teatro Valle after its first director, Domenico Valle. It opened its doors on 7th January 1727 and […]
Made in Ullapool
By Jenny McBain Ullapool in the Norwest Highlands of Scotland is a beautiful village bordered by traditional white washed houses dating back to the 18th century, nestled round a sea loch and overlooked by ancient, moody mountains. Although it is over fifty miles from the city of Inverness and has a population of just 1400, […]
Pants to Poverty
Cotton has become one of the most common fabrics in clothing today and it’s certainly a popular choice for our underwear. The thing is, most cotton production is riddled with issues such as heavy pesticide use and seriously unfair trade. So back in 2005 during the Make Poverty History campaign, a new pair of pants […]
Camphill Special School
A week ago I wouldn’t have been able to tell you what yarrow is. Visiting Thornage Hall in Norfolk, I am picking these tiny purple clumps of flowers. “It adds nutrients the compost,” Sherrie explains. Sherrie Bintein doesn’t profess to know bio-dynamic farming principles, leaving that to the farmer and head gardener. As Community Care […]
Beyond Food Foundation
By Big Issue vendor Sharon Payne. The Beyond Food Foundation (BFF) runs two programmes to help people who either are, have been, or could, become homeless. Started by chef Simon Boyle, the Foundation aims to provide valuable skills, along with self-confidence in order to help people to gain meaningful employment. Boyle originally invited homeless people […]
Care4Care
Care4Care is the brainchild of Professor Heinz Wolff. With circular glasses, a ring of curly grey hair and German accent he could be the archetypal mad scientist, and is recognisable to many from appearances on TV shows such as The Great Egg Race. Quite apart from his TV career though Heinz has been a Professor for […]
Living Sober
Prior to living at Oxford House, these six inhabitants cost the state over £1m in failed recovery programmes, criminality and illness. Tony hides his rollercoaster past beneath a boyish baseball cap and a matching grin. He works 9-5 as an Alcohol Outreach Worker, and finds his work just as wordy and vague as his job […]