Sustainable Living Guide

Our popular sustainable living guide began as an companion to our “sustainable open homes” exhibition in 2014, sharing ideas and tips for living more sustainably in our city. The 2nd edition in 2016 featured a new “repairs and spares” map, and in October 2018 “Imagine Southampton,” an updated 3rd edition, was published with funding support from the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Portswood. By March 2020 we had run out of copies of this and were about to print an updated version when the pandemic hit!
We now need to produce a new guide for the post-covid situation. So much has changed in the last 2 years that it may need to be a complete rewrite! Below is an edited version of the guide, in the hope that our readers will let us know of any errors or omissionsIf you can help please get in touch via our contact page.

INTRODUCTION

Southampton is a great city with a history going back to the Stone Age. It has been the site of a Roman settlement, a Medieval port and a Georgian spa town. The modern city is not without its problems, including poverty and air pollution, and as a coastal city it is at risk of sea level rise. However, we believe it has great potential.
Transition Southampton works with local communities, organisations and local government to help make Southampton a happier, healthier and greener city. In 2016 we ran a series of meetings called Imagine Southampton, based around the theme: “Imagine if when you woke up tomorrow our city was exactly as you would like it to be.” These meetings sparked a number of new local initiatives.

TRANSITION SOUTHAMPTON
We are a community of volunteers who care about making our city a better place to live, as well as responding to the challenges of climate change and other environmental problems.
Our activities include practical projects, workshops, talks, film screenings, field trips, social events and more. There is more we could do, but everything we do comes from the passions of our volunteers, so over time the nature of our projects changes.

THE SOUTHAMPTON SUSTAINABLE LIVING GUIDE
This is an edited version of the guide we created originally to accompany our “Sustainable Open Homes” event, to show what ordinary people can do to live more lightly on the planet, often saving money in the process. The latest edition was been updated to reflect the vision of a better Southampton that came out of our 2016 “Imagine Southampton” meetings. We were about to print and update when lockdown struck, so we need now to update yet again for the post-pandemic world. So much has changed. New initiatives have started, old ones changed or shut down, and we are starting to face challenging issues within society of which climate change is but one. The pages on this site include the links and information that would have gone into our reprinted 2020 guide. We will be gradually updating it here with a view to publishing a new version in 2022. If you find errors or want to let us know about things we haven’t included, please do!

GREEN STORIES COMPETITION
One of our members began the free series of green stories writing competitions designed to help create a body of work that entertains and informs about green solutions, inspires green behaviour and raises awareness of the necessary transformations towards a sustainable economy but reaching a wider section of the population than merely those who choose to watch climate change documentaries or read books with a green theme. An example is the book Habitat Man – a locally set romcom based on transition projects such as the green garden consultanc. See www.greenstories.org.uk.

The pages below cover:
HOMES & ENERGY: keeping warm, saving energy
WATER: saving it, enjoying it
“STUFF”: reducing, reusing, repairing and recycling it
TRAVEL: getting around our city
FOOD & GARDENING: eating well and helping nature
COMMUNITY & LOCAL ECONOMY: building a better Southampton

HOMES AND ENERGY

Imagine a Southampton where everyone, whether they own or rent, has a comfortable, snug and warm home, heated sustainably and at reasonable cost…

SAVE ENERGY (AND MONEY)
Keep the heat in using draught-excluders, thermal linings for curtains and reflective foil behind radiators.
If you own your home, make sure walls and ceiling are insulated.
Switch things off when not in use – saves electricity, money and fire risk!
Use a washing line to dry clothes.
Turn your thermostat down to 18 degrees C and wear more clothes!
Use a smart meter or try an energy monitor to see what uses most power.
See also:
Energy Saving Trust (tips and ideas to make your home more energy-efficient) www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency
The Environment Centre (tEC) (sustainability know-how for homes, communities and businesses): general enquiries 02380 336172, home energy efficiency advice 0800 804 8601 www.environmentcentre.com
When buying new appliances choose the most energy efficient one you can afford – look for the Energy Saving Trust Recommended label or check out www.sust-it.net

ENERGY SUPPLY
The guide included information here about some of the genuinely green energy suppliers as well as those which have fairer pricing for those on prepaid meters etc. Given the current problems in the energy supply industry we have temporarily removed this section. The best thing you can do at the moment is to look at ways to reduce energy usage.

WOOD-BURNING STOVES
Unfortunately even the most modern and efficient of wood burning stoves, while potentially carbon-saving if you use waste wood, will add significantly to air pollution both indoors and outdoors. Much of Southampton is in a smoke controlled area so burners must be Defra-approved appliances and must be used responsibly. See burnright.co.uk

TAKING IT FURTHER 
Imagine a Southampton that generates much of its own electricity through solar, wind and wave.
It may appear that the lack of wind and sun this year is behind our current problems, but in reality the biggest problem is the volatility of gas and a lack of renewable generation of all types coupled with increased storage.

Renewable energy generation
We are fortunate to live on the sunny south coast. Although subsidies for solar electricity panels have ended, some companies will pay for the electricity you export, and it can still be worth fitting them if you have a good south-facing roof and/or will be at home during the day to use the free electricity. There are still subsidies or grants available from the government for solar water heating and renewable heating systems such as heat pumps. Our members include people who have installed these and are willing to share their experiences, good and bad. Seeour blog where one member shares his experience of having a heat pump installed https://transitionsouthampton.org/2021/01/31/from-gas-boiler-to-air-source-heat-pump/

Green Building
A home is not just about energy use. If you are refurbishing, many “green” building materials are now available, including natural paints, flooring materials etc. They may cost more, but if you can afford it they are kinder to the environment. Depending what you plan to do there may be cheaper options for reclaimed or DIY solutions. It’s amazing what you can get on sites like Freecycle. Check out online suppliers or visit the Sustainable Products Centre at Elliotts Southampton Millbank Wharf, Northam,
SO14 5AG 023 8038 5300 elliotts.uk/service-area/sustainable-centre
Covers also offer green systems and products: Imperial House, Empress Road, SO14 0JW 023 8055 6996 sales.southampton@covers.biz

WATER

Imagine a Southampton whose water and air is clean, and where wildlife thrives in green corridors, where water is treated as the precious resource it is.

Water is a very precious resource. We need it to drink, cook with, wash in and grow food with. It costs money to make our tap water clean enough to drink (even though most of it is used outside the kitchen), so it is important not to waste it.

SAVE WATER (AND MONEY)
Run your washing machine with full loads.
Only boil as much water as you need.
Wash the car with a bucket and sponge – or let
the rain do it!
Fit a flush saving device (or a brick!) in your cistern.
Collect shower water in a bucket and use to flush the loo.
Reuse bath or shower water to water non-edible plants.
Fit water butts.
Mulch flowerbeds to reduce water loss.
See Waterwise waterwise.org.uk/save-water for more water saving tips.

DOWN THE DRAIN…
Everything that goes down your toilet, sinks and shower goes via the sewage treatment works to our waterways. Reduce the effect on these by using eco-friendly washing and laundry products.
Washing synthetic-fibre clothes means plastic micro fibres end up in our waterways. Avoid this with a special laundry bag eg Guppyfriend guppyfriend.com/en/ (available from Patagonia, Waitrose etc)

FLOOD PROTECTION 
As a coastal city, parts of Southampton are particularly at risk from sea level rise and flooding.
St Denys and West Itchen Community Tide News
(community website including tide times, flood preparation advice etc) itchentides.wordpress.com
National Flood Forum (national charity dedicated to supporting and representing communities and individuals at risk of flooding) nationalfloodforum.org.uk/
Environment Agency floodline (public information service providing current flood alerts and warnings and flood advice) 0845 988 1188 gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency  

TAKING IT FURTHER
When buying new water-using appliances look for the Waterwise checkmark waterwise.org.uk/
waterwise-checkmark and remember, if you are saving hot water you are saving energy too.
WaterTwo (simple grey water recycling products) watertwo.co.uk
GS2 water filter (filter rainwater to drinking quality), available from various online retailers
See our local Superhome for examples of rainwater harvesting: superhomes.org.uk/
superhomes/southampton-hilldown-road/

See our blog where one of our members describes fitting a rainwater flushing system https://transitionsouthampton.org/2021/08/12/rainwater-flushing/

ENJOY OUR WATERWAYS
Imagine a city where we could walk the length of our waterfront and even swim in its clear waters.

See our Station Walks Books (published in conjunction with Three Rivers Rail Partnership and MyJourney Southampton, avaialble from rail stations and October Books) for some lovely walks that take in our local rivers.

STUFF

Imagine a Southampton that is top of the recycling league tables! A city where we can shop locally for well made, long-lasting and repairable goods, and follow the “Four Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle).

REDUCE
Save money as well as the planet by asking if you really need it! Or if you do, whether you can buy second hand via eBay or get from one of the projects in the “Reuse” section below.
Refill at Rice Up, October Books, Shop Equality or the Hampshire Refillery thehampshirerefillery.com/

REUSE
For things you don’t need but which someone else might like:
Charity shops clothing and shoes, bric-a-brac. Some will take furniture and/or electrical
goods – check with the shop
Freecycle (for giving away unwanted items) https://my.freecycle.org
Jamie’s Computers (refurbishes unwanted computer equipment and sells to the public or gives free to charities or low-income families) Unit 33, Mount Pleasant Industrial Estate, Mount Pleasant Road SO14 0SP www.jamies.org.uk 023 8063 2198.
Monty’s Bike Hub bike recycling project – see TRAVEL section
SCRATCH (Dorcas Project collects furniture and Repaint Scheme collects paint, distributed to disadvantaged people in Southampton) 33 Mount Pleasant Industrial Estate, Southampton SO14 0SP www.scratchcharity.co.uk 023 8077 3132
Southampton Clothes Swaps (regular clothes swapping events around the city) www.facebook.com/SouthamptonClothesSwaps
Tools for Self Reliance (local charity that refurbishes donated wood/ metalworking tools and sewing machines for use by small traders in Africa) Netley Marsh, SO40 7FY www.tfsr.org 023 8086 9697
John Lewis has a fashion BuyBack scheme for unwanted clothing (for members only) johnlewis.com/our-services/buyback

REPAIR 
Imagine a Southampton where everyone can bring their broken things to a local shop or repair cafe to get them fixed.

Repairing things saves waste, resources and money. It is surprising what can be fixed – try jewellers for watches and jewellery, dry cleaners/ laundrettes for clothes (including alterations) or shoes, plus of course bike, computer and phone repair shops. See REPAIRS AND SPARES MAP for more.

Share a cuppa while volunteer repairers at Southampton Repair Cafe mend your broken portable items (electrical, computers, sewing, jewellery, bikes, woodwork, ceramics etc). 10.30am-1pm on first Sat of each month (except Jan) at Freemantle Baptist Church, Testwood Rd SO15 8RL and third Sat of alternate months (Jan/Mar/May/Jul/Sept/Nov) at St Denys Community Centre, Priory Rd SO17 2JZ. southamptonrepaircafe.org email repaircafe@transitionsouthampton.org

Totton Repair Cafe runs regularly at Totton & Eling COmmunity Centre https://www.facebook.com/Totton-Repair-Cafe-378462869454860/
Southampton East Restoration Project also runs repair cafes at Veracity Rec facebook.com/SERP19/
So Make It (Southampton Makerspace) (for anyone who likes making things – wood/metal work, 3D printing, robotics, sewing, baking etc etc! – to share knowledge, skills and tools), Unit K6 Pitt Rd, Liners Industrial Estate Freemantle SO15 3FQ somakeit.org.uk

IFIXIT (free website with tips and hints on how to carry out your own repairs on all manner of items) ifixit.com

Southampton Scrapstore (surplus, reject & waste materials from business for reuse by groups, schools & individuals) Unit 15, Belgrave Industrial Estate, Swaythling SO17 3EA, 023 8040 2812 southamptonscrapstore.org.uk 023 8040 2812

GadgetFixing (professional repairs of all types of electronic and domestic appliances, nationwide coverage using local service centres. Contact them for prices etc) gadgetfixing.co.uk 0845 875 1031

RECYCLE
Finally, if it can’t be repaired or reused, the next best thing to do is to recycle it.

RECYCLING IN SOUTHAMPTON
Doorstep collections
Grey box: glass (bottles and jars only – NB pyrex, wine-glasses etc are the wrong type of glass)
Blue-lidded bin: cans, aerosols (except those with “skull & crossbones” on), plastic bottles, paper and cardboard (please remove plastic tape around boxes) – please no plastic pots, tubs, trays or lids
Brown-lidded bin: garden waste (flowers, fallen fruit, prunings, but not soil)

Household waste recycling centre (HWRC)
electrical items, batteries, fluorescent lamps, toxic waste, garden waste, rubble etc) City Depot and Recycling Park, First Avenue SO15 0LJ. Southampton residents can also use the Hampshire HWRCs
Charity textile banks (clothes, shoes etc) – find them in your local supermarket or council car park
Mobile phones taken by many charity shops, otherwise should go to the HWRC so the rare metals in them can be recovered
Southampton Wood recycling project (timber for DIY projects, firewood & kindling etc) Unit Z, Willments Industrial Estate, Hazel Road, Woolston SO19 7HS southamptonwoodrecycling.org.uk 07547 115 227
Old asthma inhalers many chemists in Southampton will take these for recycling the plastics and metal in them. Ask your local pharmacy.

Plastic bags taken by many supermarkets. Not for recycle bins or banks.
Batteries taken by DIY stores and some supermarkets. Don’t put in waste bin.

Southampton Special Purpose Workshops accepts old electrical items etc for recyling. Items are stripped by service users (adults with special needs). Workshop: 46-48 Clausentum Rd Portswood SO14 6RZ 023 80338452. Shop: 43b Bridge Rd Woolston SO19 7GP 023 8043 8021 www.sspw.co.uk

Charities often collect items such as aluminium foil or inkjet cartridges for recycling. Animal rescue centres may take old pillows.

To find out what you can recycle in Southampton see southampton.gov.uk/bins-recycling/recycling/a-z-recycling/
To recycle specific items see recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with
or greenchoices.org/green-living/waste-recycling/waste-recycling-product-by-product-guide

TAKING IT FURTHER
If you have to buy new, help the environment and people by choosing eco-friendly, ethical and fairly traded items. While sometimes more expensive these may last longer, or contain fewer toxic chemicals, or be made in a factory that treats workers fairly, or by a company that does not test on animals or avoid paying tax. Ethical Consumer magazine https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethical-consumer-magazine is a useful source for rating the ethics of a range of companies.

LOCAL ETHICAL/FAIR TRADE SUPPLIERS
Lush (hand made soaps etc not tested on animals), Unit 44, West Quay, SO15 1QD uk.lush.com/shop/southampton 023 8023 1567
October Books (books and fairtrade goods) 189 Portswood Road SO17 2WX  octoberbooks.org 023 8058 1030
Slowandfearless (upcycled fashion clothes made by a local seamstress https://slowandfearless.com/
Vandanamu Ethical Cottons (Southampton-based organisation supporting a village community in
Southern India, selling bespoke cotton bags, aprons and tabards) vandanamu.org
Shop Equality (fair trade shop selling gifts, food etc – also does refills of washiing up liquid etc) 61B Cranbury Rd, Eastleigh SO50 5HB 023 8057 4990 facebook.com/ShopEqualityEastleigh

TRAVEL

Imagine a Southampton that is easy to move around in, whether on foot, bike, bus, car or even boat! A city where the air is clean, streets belong to people, children are safe to play outside and people who don’t own a car are not disadvantaged.

SAVING fuel (AND MONEY)
Keep tyres pumped to correct pressure.
Remove roof racks when not in use.
Drive at a steady speed – avoid rapid acceleration and braking.
Switch off engine when stationary.
Open a window for “air-conditioning”.
For short journeys walk, bus or cycle. See My Journey Southampton for links to public transport, walking and cycling routes around the city: myjourneysouthampton.com

SHARE A CAR
If your mileage is less than 6000 miles/year it can actually be cheaper to hire, join a car club or use taxis.

Electric cars are less polluting and produce less carbon dioxide – especially if charged with renewable electricity. But they still use lots of resources to make so unless your existing car needs scrapping or is very polluting it is better to hang on to it.

Local bus companies 
First Bus https://www.firstbus.co.uk/southampton 0871 200 22 33
Wheelers wheelerstravel.co.uk 023 8047 1800
Blue star bluestarbus.co.uk 01202 338421023 8023 1950 Bargate Street, SO14 2DA
Unilink unilinkbus.co.uk 023 8059 5974
Xelabus xelabus.info 023 8064 4715

GETTING A BIKE
Monty’s Bike Hub bike recycling project, 59 Montague Avenue, Sholing SO19 0QB https://montysbikehub.org/
If you’re worried about hills or your fitness for riding, why not try an electric bike

SCOOTER HIRE
Only Voi scooters can be legally used inSouthampton https://www.voiscooters.com/

BIKE TUITION
Riding in traffic is not actually as scary as it appears at first. But for new and returning cyclists, tuition makes all the difference

Free introductory lessons from MyJourney ….
For more intensive, personalised training:
Sound Cycling soundcycling.co.uk 07952 314 768 
Cycleright 123cycleright.co.uk 07845 306904
Monty’s Bike Hub (family cycle skills workshops, see above)

RIDING WITH OTHERS
Southampton Cargo Bikes (regular short family-friendly rides around the city – you don’t need a cargo bike or a family to join in!) facebook.com/groups/Southamptoncargobicycles
Breeze Rides (gentle rides which aim to get women cycling for fun) 
facebook.com/BreezeNetworkSouthampton

BIKE REPAIR
As well as bike shops there are various free sessions where you can get your bike fixed
Bike-2-Basics Community Bike Dr (regular bike maintenance sessions at Southampton Repair Cafe and elsewhere. New volunteers welcome https://transitionsouthampton.org/bike2basics/
email: bike2basics@transitionsouthampton.org
Southampton Bike Kitchen (fix your own bike under supervision) every Wednesday 7-9pm at The Hub Cycleworks, 107-109 Shirley Rd, SO15 3FF southamptonbikekitchen.wordpress.com
Monty’s Bike Hub (Bike Dr and learn to maintain and fix your own bike) 59 Montague Avenue, Sholing SO19 0QB https://montysbikehub.org/
Southampton City Council (bike doctor events and cycle tuition) https://myjourneysouthampton.com/cycle/looking-after-your-bike/
Join Southampton Cycling Campaign and help shape the future of cycling in Southampton. Membership is free. For more information, to join, or for links to rides, local bike shops and cycling organisations see southamptoncyclingcampaign.org.uk

GREEN TOURISM
Air travel is many times worse for the climate than land-based travel. Cruise ships are pretty polluting too.
There are many attractive and interesting places to visit locally. How you travel, especially if you go further afield, makes a difference to the planet.
Green Tourism (directory of “green” UK holidays, attractions and hotels) green-tourism.com

THAT FINAL JOURNEY…
If you’ve tried to live sustainably you may want to carry on your principles after your life is over. For advice on green funerals and woodland burial grounds contact the Natural Death Centre, In The Hill House, Watley Lane, Twyford, Winchester SO21 1QX 0871 2882098 naturaldeath.org.uk

FOOD AND GARDENING

Imagine a Southampton where much of our food is grown in allotments, gardens and little patches of soil outside our civic buildings and along streets, and where healthy fresh produce is easily available to all.

FOOD COOPERATIVES
Shared buying reduces costs and you can make friends too. There are several in Southampton, or start one yourself! See veganviews.org.uk/vv98/vv98foodcoops.html written by a member of Southampton food coop Fruity Nutters.

LOCAL FOOD SUPPLIERS
Supporting local food sellers helps the local economy more than buying from big supermarkets. Less packaging waste, too.
Rice Up Wholefoods (fruit, veg, vegetarian and vegan deli and wholefoods) 20 Hanover Buildings, SO14 1JH riceup.co.uk 023 8184 7235
Bitterne Box company (local fruit and veg, butter, free range eggs, honey, rapeseed oil, flour, bread and cakes etc) https://bitternebox.co.uk/ deliveries plus shop BItterne Park Stores, Manor Farm Rd 07759 672763
Milk & More (local milkman, delivers milk in reusable glass bottles! Also groceries including milk, eggs and butter, bread etc including organic) milkandmore.co.uk 0345 606 3606
Gannaways Greengrocers (local fruit & veg wherever possible) 419 Bitterne Road , SO18 5EE 023 8044 6260
G Cotton Bakers (local ingredients and traditional methods, Sats 7am-12pm) 21 Manor Farm Rd, Bitterne Park SO18 1NN 023 8055 903
Hoxton Bakehouse (hot bread straight from oven every Saturday morning: sourdough breads & pastries, local & organic ingredients) hoxtonbakehouse.co.uk 22 Southbrook Rd SO15 1GQ
Aldermoor Community Farm (shop open 9-5, Weds & Sats) Aldermoor Road, SO16 5NN
Mayfield allotments box scheme contact Kenny 07940574804
Sunnyfields Farm, Jacobs Gutter Lane, Totton SO40 9FX
Riverford (organic foods) Upper Norton Farm, Sutton Scotney, Winchester, SO21 3QF riverford.co.uk 01962 763927

PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK
The Art House (volunteer run vegan and veggie café promoting local arts, plus community pantry) 178 Above Bar St, Southampton SO14 7DW thearthousesouthampton.co.uk
Kate’s Cafe Lounge (local and ethical food) 227 Portswood Rd, SO17 2NF 023 8058 1872
Round About Community Café Westfield Corner, Swaythling, SO18 2LE https://www.roundaboutcafe.org/ 023 8067 2700
Indian Melody (Indian vegetarian restaurant) 25 High Street, SO14 2DF indianmelody.net 023 8063 899
Cafe Thrive (vegan food, fairtrade, organic tea & coffee) 18 Hanover Buildings, SO14 1JX cafethrive.co.uk
Pop-Up Community Vegan Cafe Mons 11.45-15.30 October Books, 189 Portswood, Road, SO17 2FN
Cafe down the Lane (Mencap) helps people with learning disabilities gain skills. 187a Portswood Road, SO17 2NF 023 8058 4088
Offbeet Food (vegan cafe based at Sunnyfields Farm) Jacobs Gutter Lane, Totton, SO40 9FX. www.offbeetfood.com

TAKING IT FURTHER
Eat wild food for free! Make sure you know what you are picking and leave some for birds and other wildlife. The Urbane Forager’s blog has maps of fruit and nut trees in Southampton https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/
Pick your own fresh fruit and veg in season at Pickwell Farm, Grange Rd, Netley, SO31 8GD pickwellfarm.co.uk/home 023 8040 4616
Slow Food Solent the antidote to fast food! Meals, workshops, wine tasting etc to promote good local food https://www.facebook.com/slowfoodsolent/
Eat seasonally: local food in season is better for the environment than food shipped from the other side of the world or grown in heated greenhouses here.
Eat leftovers: a lot of food is wasted because it is close to its sell by date or because people buy more than they can eat. For recipes for leftovers see lovefoodhatewaste.com
Eat less meat: meat and dairy has a bigger carbon footprint than plant-based foods. If you don’t want to become vegetarian or vegan, try occasional “meat free” days.
Swaythling Station Free Shop (free food donated by local supermarkets because it’s close to or past its sell-by date, every Sat am 10-12.30, plus surplus bread etc available whenever the station office is open)

GROW YOUR OWN
Home grown food is fresher than shop bought, and it is satisfying to eat your own produce. You don’t need a large plot – even a window box or balcony can be used for salad greens or tomatoes. If you don’t have a garden, try an allotment 023 8083 3007 https://www.southampton.gov.uk/people-places/parks-open-spaces/allotments/

Southampton Allotment and Gardens Association (SAGA) – events and trading sheds where you can buy seeds and plants https://www.saga-info.org.uk/ sagasoton@yahoo.co.uk

BItterne Park Growing Spaces (supporting and encouraging the growing of food in Bitterne Park https://transitionsouthampton.org/bitterne-park-growing-places/

COMPOSTING
Fill your compost bin with anything plant-based apart from invasive weeds or diseased plants, mixing sappy material like grass mowings with tougher items like dry bedding plants or cardboad. Add autumn leaves unless you have a lot, in which case collect them separately in a leaf-mould bin.
Our ratproof composting project has shown that you can compost anything that once lived, including dairy and meat – in fact these materials compost faster than plant-based material. We have developed a rat-proof bin to replace your existing one, and a steel collar retrofit which works with standard ‘dalek’ type bins and is available at cost https://transitionsouthampton.org/rat-proof-composting/

DID YOU KNOW?
You can save your own veg seeds (except F1 hybrids, which won’t breed true). Easy ones are tomatoes, peas, beans and lettuce. At the Southampton Seedswap each February you can swap seeds or buy them cheaply and get advice on how to save seeds facebook.com/southamptonseedswap

SHARED GARDENING
If you don’t have your own garden, or you prefer gardening with others, join a community garden to share the work and the produce.
Lend and tend matches people with gardens to people who want to garden https://www.lendandtend.com/

Aldermoor Community Farm Aldermoor Road, SO16 5NN aldermoorfarm.org.uk 023 8218 2716
Southampton City Farm Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill, Green Lane, SO16 9RG https://www.southamptoncityfarm.com/ 023 80 522706
Ropewalk Community Garden (walled garden of exotic and everyday trees, plants and shrubs) 53 Derby Road, Bevois, SO14 0DJ ropewalk-community-garden.business.site
Shirley Warren Community Garden 107-117 Warren Crescent, SO16 6AY facebook.com/shirleywarrencommunitygarden
Veracity Community Orchard Merryoak Rd SO19 7QR facebook.com/Veracity-Community-Orchard-210569936337674/

GARDENING SERVICES
Mayfield Nurseries (plants at affordable prices, profits help people with mental health and learning disabilities working at the nursery) Mayfield Park, Weston Lane, SO19 9HL mayfieldnurseries.org.uk
Primrose Cottage Gardening Co-operative Ltd (Southampton-based co-op offering gardening services) facebook.com/primrosecottagegarden

TAKING IT FURTHER
Wildlife loves a garden that isn’t too tidy! Native shrubs attract birds, old fashioned cottage garden flowers draw bees, a log pile suits beneficial insects and a pond draws birds and frogs – which return the favour by eating slugs! rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice
See our Green Gardening Consultancy (available only to those within walking distance of Portswood) https://transitionsouthampton.org/green-gardening/
Our Planting Native Plants project makes native trees and shrubs available at affordable prices https://transitionsouthampton.org/projects/planting-native-plants-pnp/

Try keeping chickens for your own supply of eggs. Organic feed: Kitnocks Farm, Outlands Lane, Curdridge, SO30 2HD 01489 787751. For general advice see keepchickens.info

Keeping bees is good for pollinating plants (especially in your own garden!), helps a threatened species and gives you honey. Southampton and District Beekeepers Association southamptonbeekeepers.co.uk

Freeze surplus food or learn to bottle, make jam, wine or cider

COMMUNITY AND LOCAL ECONOMY

Imagine a Southampton where everyone feels part of a community and where everyone has enough money and support to meet their needs. The people of Southampton rallied during the pandemic with local support groups. Imagine if every community was like that all the time.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Timebanks allow people to receive and offer services on an hour by hour basis. Currently there are timebanks in Freemantle & Millbrook (tel 07795 05294) and Woolston (tel 07931 223137) with more planned. southampton.gov.uk/people-places/community-involvement/time-bank.aspx Email timebank@southampton.gov.uk
Southampton Sunday Lunch project (provides a warm Sunday meal, including pudding, to all those in need within a friendly, relaxed, no questions asked environment. Based on donations and run by volunteers) St Marks Institute, Victoria Rd Woolston SO19 9DY southamptonsundaylunch.org.uk
Monty’s Community Hub (a place to meet up, share life, get active, make new friends, learn new skills, improve job prospects, get help and advice, and have fun!) 59 Montague Avenue, Sholing SO19 0QB montys.org.uk
Denys Friendlies (free dementia-friendly drop-in Social morning with games, activities and refreshments) 10am–12noon, St Denys Church https://stdenys.church/denysfriendlies
October Books Community Hub (More than just a bookshop: local, radical and eco-friendly!) 189 Portswood Road SO17 2WX octoberbooks.org 023 8058 1030
Community Centres: find your local community centre in Southampton at southampton.gov.uk/people-places/community-places-rights/
We Make Southampton (social enterprise that makes films about and for Southampton, to improve the future of its people!) wemakesouthampton.co.uk
Breathing Spaces (community project working on clean air, liveable streets and increased health & wellbeing) breathingspaces.org.uk

VOLUNTEERING
Southampton Voluntary Services (SVS) (umbrella body for local voluntary and community groups, provides information on volunteering in the city) southamptonvs.org.uk Kingsland Square, SO14 1NW
Transition Southampton is run by volunteers – please join us!

LOCAL ACTION GROUPS
Local “friends of” groups (volunteers who do litter picking, gardening etc to help keep our city clean and attractive. These include Loving Lordswood and Friends of Chessel Bay, Freemantle Lake Park, Monks Brook Meadows, Peartree Green, Outer Avenue Residents Association, Portswood Rec, Riverside Park, Southampton Old Cemetery, St James’ Park, Swaythling Station, Town Quay Park and Weston Shore.)
For more info e-voice.org.uk/southamptonsustainabilitydirectory
Hampshire Conservation Volunteers (HCV) (maintenance work on paths, fences, ponds, trees on sites which are valuable for wildlife) hcv.org.uk Email: mail@hcv.org.uk
The Conservation Volunteers (help reclaim green places, creating healthier and happier communities for everyone)  tcv.org.uk/about email: hampshire@tcv.org.uk 023 8040 2593 
Sholing Valley Study Centre (Environmental Study Centre set up to preserve Miller’s Pond and educate the public about this unique environment and its wildlife) Station Rd, Sholing, SO19 8FP
facebook.com/sholingvalleysSC  email sholingvalleys1@btinternet.com Tel 023 8043 2395
The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre (provides information about Southampton’s wildlife and biodiversity; also has a cafe) Southampton Common, SO15 3NN southampton.gov.uk/people-places/parks-open-spaces/hawthorns/
Friends of the Earth (local action on issues such as climate change, biodiversity pollution) friendsoftheearth.uk/groups/southamptoneastleigh
Greenpeace (peaceful direct action on environmental issues) greenwire.greenpeace.org/uk/en-gb/groups/southampton-greenpeace
Southampton Real Nappy Network (Local action, support and socials
on nappies and wider green parenting advice) facebook.com/groups/SouthamptonRealNappyNetwork

MONEY
Imagine a Southampton where the money we generate and spend stays within the city and where most of us buy at thriving local shops. What if we had our own local currency, the ‘Southampton Pound’?

The best way to keep money within the city is to support local businesses rather than big chains.

TAKING IT FURTHER
Make your bank account work for the community.
Positive Money Southampton organises talks, and events to raise awareness of the flaws in the UK money and banking system and encourage a fairer, more democratic and sustainable system. https://positivemoney.org/localgroup/southampton/

Ethical bank accounts
Wessex Community Bank (exclusively serves local people across Hampshire, reinvests profits into the local community). Includes current account. wessexcommunitybank.org
Triodos Bank (only lends to businesses that promote positive change; totally transparent about who it lends to) triodos.co.uk 0800 328 2181. Includes current account.
If you bank with Co-operative Bank and want them to keep their ethical principles and return to cooperative ownership see saveourbank.coop
Ecology Building Society (ethical savings, offers discounts on mortgages for green measures/ eco builds) ecology.co.uk 01535 650 770

Local investments
Opportunities to invest in local ethical businesses sometimes come up – in recent years these have included Rice Up, West Solent Solar Coop and October Books. We publicise these in our newsletter. You can sign up at transitionsouthampton.org

Other alternatives
Some alternatives currently not available in Southampton are LETS (a more sophisticated version of barter) and Local Currency (see, for example bristolpound.org)