I don’t record every bench chat I have, sometimes because people don’t want me to record them. Sometimes because I don’t realise stopping for a quick catch up is going to turn into a “Bench Chat” moment. On this occasion a simple question to me – “What are you up to?” Evolved into a conversationContinue reading “An unplanned Bench Chat”
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Warley Woods Bench Chat
For those of you that are new to our Bench Chat recordings, they are a simple concept which is by no means new. Choose a place with a bench, invite a friend, grab a tea or coffee or other refreshment and talk to each other. Share memories, take in the surroundings, and in this benchContinue reading “Warley Woods Bench Chat”
A journey to The Centre of the Earth
Bench Chat: Layers of Nature – A Conversation with Holly from the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust The Centre of the Earth is the Wildlife Trust’s purpose built environmental centre in Winson Green – just 1.5 km from Birmingham City Centre. Here they specialise in teaching and learning about wildlife, the environment and sustainableContinue reading “A journey to The Centre of the Earth”
Pull Up a Seat
What I Learned from the Bench Chat Project By Deborah Needle, Community Facilitator, Naturally Birmingham Let me tell you something I’ve learned through this work: sometimes, the simplest ideas are the ones that change people the most. The Friendship Bench Chat wasn’t born in a boardroom, from a strategy paper, or after a round ofContinue reading “Pull Up a Seat”
From Seed to Roots
Reflections on Five Years of Future Parks in BirminghamBy a Community Facilitator, Birmingham City of Nature Alliance When we first set out on the Future Parks Accelerator journey five years ago, the goal felt both urgent and enormous: tackle environmental injustice, reconnect people with the nature on their doorstep, and transform the way green spacesContinue reading “From Seed to Roots”
Reflecting on my role
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Community Facilitator Being a Community Facilitator for the Future Parks Accelerator (FPA) Project is a role filled with purpose, passion, and—sometimes—loneliness. As the final stage of the FPA project that looked at urban nature development comes to a close, I am asking those involved in the project to reflect onContinue reading “Reflecting on my role”
Exploring the City of Nature
Come join us online via Teams on Mon Jan 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM to explore the beauty of nature in our city. This online event will take you on a short journey through parks, gardens, and scenic spots that will leave you in awe of the natural world on our doorstep. Get ready to discover hidden gems, learnContinue reading “Exploring the City of Nature”
Green Champions – Wild at Heart
The way Birmingham City Council manages it’s parks, green and blue spaces and even some of its grey spaces has changed in line with Birmingham’s City of Nature Plan which you can read here: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/…/our_future_nature_city… It is an ambitious 25-year plan for the whole city, but it starts in its heart with six wards mostContinue reading “Green Champions – Wild at Heart”
Garrison Lane Bench Chat
You may have been following my Friendship Bench Chat project as I take time to sit down on a bench in a park and chat to friends and colleagues about benches, parks, nature and most importantly give them an opportunity to chat about themselves and if they are OK. We know that a connection withContinue reading “Garrison Lane Bench Chat”
Bloomsbury Park Bench Chats
It’s not every day you see a clown getting his blood pressure tested. But at the Nechells Be Healthy Environmental Fun Day in Bloomsbury Park it was just one of the memorable moments I can recall from a lovely event. It was a very warm and sunny day filled with laughter and occasional screams ofContinue reading “Bloomsbury Park Bench Chats”
Naturally Birmingham Future Parks Project 