A mixture of University societies and local groups came together in James Hall to showcase their initiatives that are making a difference both on campus and in the community. York Vision spoke to a few stallholders about what they have going on for students in the New Year.
Food:
For those wanting to make their food shopping more sustainable, Scoop were on hand with a stall both selling a range of their products, and providing information to those wanting to incorporate the store into their routine. Members on the stall informed us about Scoop’s fully vegan and low waste ethos, and for those wanting to start making changes, you can purchase storage jars alongside the produce. Scoop is open on Wednesdays and Fridays and is located opposite Courtyard.
Another initiative for sustainable food options on campus came from Plant Based Universities, who are the York branch of a nationwide campaign. We spoke to the group about their current petition, and they told Vision how they are unhappy with the Student Union’s changed plans to aim for 50% non-mean options in SU venues, which they believe to be a disappointing move on the side of the union. Their campaign aims to get campus dining to be 100% plant-based in order to help fight the climate crisis, and more information can be found on their social media pages.
For anyone wanting to make changes at a local level in the community, All Should Eat were also at the fair promoting their upcoming events and volunteering opportunities. The food collected by All Should Eat is distributed across local food banks: Door 84, Hoping Streets Kitchen and The Collective Sharehouse. There are donation points across campus, you may have spotted the one in the library reception, and bi-weekly collections from these points that anyone can volunteer to join. The group also collaborates with a range of other societies to run events, such as having collection boxes at York Student Cinema’s screenings. For anyone wanting to make a difference in the York area and help eliminate food poverty, donation points are always open for food and hygiene product donations.
Energy:
Aside from university societies, there was a range of York based community groups and projects at the fair, one of which being York Community Energy. While part of their project is providing sustainable solar energy to the York area, an interesting part of their work is their York Energy Advice division. This is a service in which members make home visits to residents and advise them on what they could be doing to utilise energy more efficiently, because as one of the stallholders explained, what’s good for the planet is also good for their finances. They offer free consultations to those over 65, those on low income, and people with long term health conditions or disabilities, but their services are available to anyone wishing for advice or home upgrades.
Wildlife:
Also, for anyone whose focus is on the wildlife side of sustainable living, Creatures on Campus were on hand to discuss what they offer. Formerly Hedgehogs on Campus, the group has opportunities for social events alongside their environmental missions. It’s often forgotten that there is more than just geese on the University of York campus, so the group is a great chance to become more in touch with the wildlife that surrounds us every day, as well as meeting like-minded people.
Currently looking at the other side of wildlife on campus, are Geographers and Environmentalists for Managing Sustainability, with one of their current initiatives being to tackle invasive plant species on campus (Himalayan balsam). While this is one of their current tasks, the group pursues new initiatives each year, with these being suggested and chosen at the start of semester one. This society offers a chance to gain real experience in mapping and proceeding with sustainability plans across campus.
Whilst we would have liked to write about every stall, we were shocked at how many environmental opportunities York really has to offer. To conclude our look around the fair we spoke to Gen, York SU’s Union Development Officer. She explained how she had been a “bit worried” about how the turnout at the fair would be, given it took place during Welcome Back Week, but she was pleased to see a ‘steady stream’ of visitors. Overall, she described it as “a nice event” and remarked on how “people are always quite keen, especially external groups, to get students involved”, something which was clear from the warm welcome we were given from all stallholders.
So, if you are hoping to make your second semester more sustainable, there are some great options both listed here and across the York SU website of where to start. It may be hard deciding where to start with so many options, but there are events happening in the next few weeks from many of the groups. Make sure to check out all their social media pages to see for yourself where you want to get started.