Partnership opportunities
If you belong to an organisation with similar aims and objectives and would like to explore the possibility of working together please contact us. Also, see our Outreach Services page for more information
This year
We are exploring the possibility of getting involved in a food to fuel project that will recycle waste food and oil into biodiesel, biogas, liquid fertiliser and soil conditioner. Creative Health Lab propose to help engage the community through:
· Workshops into local schools to stimulate thinking, awareness and creative expression around green issues
· Involving local artists, university researchers, art students, school children and volunteers in designing and developing interactive displays and installations to communicate environmental issues to the public
· Touring an exhibition of the work created in a variety of venues from schools and libraries to local markets, galleries and museums
· Regular visible presence at local markets, illustrating sustainability and publicising local activities that strengthen community cohesion, economy and wellbeing
· Training to support people communicating issues around sustainability to the public
· Supporting local transition town groups to provide relevant activities
The programme aims to:
· Help effect a sea change in public perception and behaviour around food, waste and recycling
· e.g. increasing recycling rates, reducing energy demand, reducing demand for highly packaged products
· Engage a wide range of people learning skills to grow or make their own produce/products to exchange or sell locally
· Nurture community resilience and support an already growing momentum that will sustain itself beyond funding
Eco Centre Potential
The processing plant could be a high-profile R&D centre, exploring and promote various technologies such as anaerobic digestion, biodiesel production and combined heat and power in the recycling of waste food and oil into fuel and useful byproducts. It could be utilised by universities, schools and colleges as an amazing resource and educational centre.
The plant could be designed to incorporate natural materials e.g wood in its natural form with glass, steel and solar panels.
An extension could be created using ecobuild techniques such as cob, cordwood, strawbales and green roofing to house community facilities such as a workshop/meeting area, offices and café. The design could also incorporate water features, stained glass and locally produced art works etc.
The project would enable local residents to learn natural building techniques and be part of the creation of their own eco-centre. Involving artists and artisans in the design would help aesthetically lift the whole site and encourage further creativity, particularly in blending art and science, traditional and cutting edge technologies.
Past projects
Green Scheme Constructions
May-July 2010
Working with Camden's Youth Reparation team and Kentish Town Jobtrain volunteers we constructed raised beds for food growing at Rhyll School and Greenwood sheltered housing. We created brick and timber designs to suit the space and needs of each site.
While physically challenging, the opportunity offered young people an engaging experience and practical construction skills. The raised beds gave children and older people the chance to learn about and grow their own vegetables in areas with either no soil or contaminated soil.
We found using recycled scaffolding boards to be an environmentally friendly and cost effective solution, while bricks and cement option doubled the cost and took longer to build.
The Haverstock Carnival Project
23rd July - 30th October 2010
Creative Health Lab and ArtSeeds teamed up to deliver Haverstock's first ever Carnival with funding from Well London. We ran indoor and outdoor creative workshops for the whole community to create costumes, screen-printed banners decorated t-shirts, giant puppets, original music, poems, a slideshow and a short film. Our pop-up shop on Malden Road became a colourful hub of activity, especially during the half term week before the carnival itself.
On the day, face painted kids and adults drummed and danced through the streets in colourful costumes parading their creations in an exciting atmosphere of celebration.
The street parade led to 176 Zabludowicz Collection, a modern gallery on Prince of Wales Rd that hosted a full line up featuring local artists and groups. The audience enjoyed Brazillian choir Nossa Voz, Aikido and Capoiera demonstrations, the Juzz Bollywood duo, talented singer songwriter John Elliott, haunting solo cellist Jo Cox and a youthful street dance group - Fame.
Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a delicious multi cultural feast laid on by volunteer cooks from the Thanet Youth and Community Centre. The event was a great success and we are applying for more funding to do another one this year.
Visit the Haverstock Carnival website at www.haverstockcarnival.com for photos.
Join the Haverstock Carnival facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=584100719#!/pages/The-Haverstock-Carnival/129267833781836?ref=ts
Future ideas
Eco project
In partnership with Kentish Town City Farm and with participation from the local community, we would like to renovate a semi-derelict building incorporating renewable energy technology and a variety of eco build techniques.
The building will help nurture local economic sustainability and community cohesion, providing space for various social enterprise activities including woodworking, pottery and other creative initiatives. It will also be a perfect venue for education on sustainability and eventually a community café.
The building process will be an educational opportunity for local residents interested in learning about ecodesign, working with recycled materials and traditional building techniques such as straw bale, cob, clay and lime plastering. The finished building will demonstrate practicality and beauty, combining the best of old and new methods and materials.
Outside, eco sculptures could be created to enhance the environment. These sculptures will incorporate structures such as ladybird hotels and and nesting boxes to encourage greater wildlife diversity. They may be made from recycled materials such as used tyres, junk metal or scrap wood or from living materials such as willow. The aim will be to create beautiful as well as functional pieces from waste materials, combining art and environmental education.
Integrated healthcare hub
Drawing on the best from medical knowledge and complementary therapies, we would like to provide opportunities for local residents to learn about an integrated approach to healthcare.
Talks and treatments given by qualified professionals will be complemented by practical workshops on simple preventative healthcare measures. From stress management to dietary education, the focus will be on encouraging individual engagement and empowerment.
The service could also provide valuable training opportunities for recently qualified healthcare professionals in a community setting.