Food, growing and wildlife: Making a difference locally
Rethinking how we source food, growing our own produce, reducing food waste and protecting local wildlife are all ways we can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Across Brighton and the surrounding areas, there are many organisations creating opportunities to learn new skills, share resources, build community and support local biodiversity.
Food and growing
Hanover Action Group (HASL)
https://www.hasl.org.uk/about-us/
Promotes sustainable living in the local community through fun, educational events and activities.
The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding August and December) at the Hanover Centre.
HASL also runs food-waste initiatives, with volunteers organising activities and events to help prevent good food from going to waste.
Brighton Permaculture Trust
https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/
Shares permaculture skills, helps reduce food waste and supports the development of thriving community orchards and gardens across Sussex.
You can get involved by joining a growing course or volunteering at one of its community gardens.
Volunteer sessions take place fortnightly on Wednesday mornings and are open to people of all abilities. Activities include a range of gardening tasks, alongside opportunities to meet others and learn about growing fruit and vegetables.
Community garden locations include:
Saunders Park Edible Garden.
Preston Park Demonstration Garden.
Stanmer Wellbeing Gardens.
Wildlife and green spaces
Wild About Brighton – Sussex Wildlife Trust
https://staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/community-projects/brighton
A community wildlife project supporting conservation and encouraging residents to get involved in caring for local green spaces.
Young people aged 16–25 can join youth and wildlife ranger programmes.
The Brighton Hit Squad also offers opportunities to take part in practical conservation work, including scrub clearance, removing non-native species, grassland management and improving local nature reserves.
Brighton and Hove Wildlife Forum
https://www.bhwf.org.uk/local-groups/
Provides information about local wildlife groups across Brighton and Hove, including details of how to get in touch and get involved.
Brighton and Hove Green Spaces Forum
https://bhgreenspaceforum.org.uk/friends-of-groups/
Connects people with organisations and community groups working to protect and improve green spaces across the city.