Picture of detail on the new mural GS Creative Photography

New youth project highlights care for local ecology in Westergate

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Students from Ormiston Six Village Academy have unveiled a massive (40m) new mural along with dynamic new signs for local bins, as part of a project they have designed to increase respect for the natural world in their area.

Developed with input from the whole school community, the project supported a number of students in Years 8 – 10 to work with two commissioned artists – selected by them – to create art interventions in the school’s local Westergate village intended to inspire greater respect for the natural world locally. Read more

Swap plastic for a Reusable CupPexel

Going Beyond Recycling Towards Less Plastic

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Sussex Green Living is appealing to the public to keep going with a plastic free life in 2026 and beyond. 

Why is recycling plastic not enough? While some of the plastic we recycle is turned into new products, much of it is exported or incinerated. Although energy recovery from burning plastic is often counted within waste management, plastic is made from fossil fuels that took millions of years to form, so burning it is not a sustainable solution. The biggest climate impact, however, comes long before plastic reaches us. According to the OECD, around 90% of greenhouse gas emissions from plastics occur during production and manufacturing.   Read more

Bees Needs Award 2026RHS

Sussex Green Living receive the Defra National Bees Needs Champions Award from Nature Minister Mary Creagh at RHS Wisley

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At Sussex Green Living, we are delighted and honoured to have been recognised at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) National Bees Needs Champions Awards at RHS Wisley on 14 July. Our Pollination Education Station (PES) Trail across Sussex received national recognition for its contribution to supporting pollinators and educating communities about the vital role they play in our environment.  Read more

How to help butterflies thrive

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Sadly, of the UK’s 59 butterfly species, 33 have been in decline in recent years, with favourites like the once common Small Tortoiseshell on the brink of disappearing altogether in parts of southeast England. But there are lots of ways we can all help our butterflies thrive. You can get involved by volunteering with a local conservation group such as Wild About Warnham, or your local branch of Butterfly Conservation. Or why not take some simple steps to make your garden more butterfly-friendly?   Read more

Geoff Hunt

Wild Gardening: creating a beautiful refuge for wildlife

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Across the UK, many natural spaces have become either overly tidy or ecologically depleted. Hedges and scrubland have been cleared, wildlife habitats have disappeared and large areas of farmland are regularly treated with pesticides and weedkillers. 

Our gardens can help fill this gap by providing much-needed refuge for wildlife. In fact, suburban gardens now support more hedgehogs than much of the surrounding countryside. 

With a few simple changes to the way we manage our outdoor spaces, we can help reverse this decline and create places where nature can thrive.  Read more

Train for the London Marathon

Could you be Sussex Green Living’s London Marathon runner?

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We’ve been allocated one charity place in the 2027 TCS London Marathon for the event taking place on Saturday, 24th April.  We’re looking for a runner who is passionate about making a difference for our local environment and communities, will enjoy being an ambassador for Sussex Green Living and is confident they can raise a minimum of £1,800 through sponsorship. 

Read more

How to Develop Healthier Soil That Pollinators Can’t Resist

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Did you know a bee needs to visit 660 flowers to make just one drop of honey? And that a third of our food is thanks to the pollinators? Pollinators, which include bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and even birds and bats, are vital to our ecosystems and biodiversity.

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Communities and Churches Unite Around Climate Emergency Film

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Community in Henfield united to watch the People’s Emergency Briefing a public information film that clearly and honestly briefs the UK on the climate and nature crisis. Building on the landmark National Emergency Briefing (NEB) held in Westminster, the film features event footage with reactions from members of the public and some familiar faces. The film was shown in Henfield last Sunday and it’s designed to be followed by structured discussion, to allow people to process what they have heard and find ways to engage positively around local community solutions. It is not party political in any way but it is relevant to everyone.

In attendance were local residents of all ages, Councillors, the Parish Council Clerk and the local vicar.

Read more

Pop Shop in Swan WalkSussex Green Living

A Pop-up with Purpose: Community Collaboration Brings Wellbeing & Sustainability To Horsham

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Sussex Green Living Pop-up Shop Swan Walk

This May 2026, an empty retail unit in Swan Walk Shopping Centre has been transformed into a vibrant community hub—demonstrating the power of collaboration to support both people and planet. 

In an inspiring joint initiative, Men’s Shed Horsham and Sussex Green Living have come together to launch a month-long pop-up shop focused on wellbeing, sustainability, and community connection. They are joined by Menshare and SEN Shed, creating a diverse and inclusive programme of activities across the week.   Read more

How growing your own food benefits health, wallet and environment

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There is something very satisfying about growing your own food whether it’s from seeds or from seedlings bought from a garden centre. Both rewarding and sustainable, it also connects us with the rhythms of nature and can save money. It can also be a little challenging or frustrating at times, but this makes the reward of harvesting, cooking and eating your home grown produce all the more gratifying and much tastier than supermarket vegetables. 

To start with, you really need the right location. Most vegetables require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow properly. Without this, seedlings will become tall and spindly or ‘leggy’ and susceptible to disease. Good drainage is also essential. Over-watering can cause seedlings to rot or ‘damp off.’  Shelter from strong winds is also important, when growing delicate plants outside.  Read more