Our Story

Since our beginning in 2012, we have been growing our outreach programmes and initiatives. We started small with families in Horsham District and now are reaching more of our Sussex community spreading to villages, parishes, communities, businesses and organisations.

Last year alone we visited 44 schools, delivered 70 environmental education days, attended over 70 events, completed 315 repairs, recycled at 18 village locations – all with the help of our 135 volunteers and one and a half members of staff.

  • 2012

    Where it all began

    Started Sussex Green Living with 2 recycling points in Coolham and Billingshurst

    Started schools sessions to educate school aged children about actions for eco sustainability

    Team trained as voluntary WSCC Waste Prevention Advisors

    Received Highly Commended for the Going Green Award with Souther Business Awards

  • 2013

    Getting Recognition

    Started engaging at events using our motorhome and gazebo as our stand

    Expanded recycling locations into two locations in Horsham

    Business Matters Awards – won the Going Green Award

    2013

  • 2015

    Spreading our Services

    Carrie gave up her day job to work full time on Sussex Green Living

    Increased demand for sessions in schools, adult talks, attendance at events

    Volumes of TerraCycle recycling constantly increasing

    Received Green Champion Award for BBC Surrey & Sussex Community Heroes

  • 2016

    2016

  • 2017

    5 Years on

    Launched eco art competition for schools

    Launched Horsham Repair Café

    Started Bottle Refill Service

    Received awards for Friends of the Environment (West Sussex County Times Community Awards) and Greenest Family (P.E.A. People, Environment & Achievement)

  • 2018

    Schools and Energy Developments

    Our Green IT Team at William Penn school wins Better Energy School Award

    2nd annual school competition in partnership with Billingshurst Rotary which included us delivering education as part of the project

    Ran our first Share Fair in the Human Nature Garden, Horsham Park

    1st green family procession in Billingshurst Carnival 

    Win Energy Efficiency Champion at South East Energy Efficiency Awards

    2018

  • 2019

    Widening our Reach

    Co-founded the South East Climate Alliance which is a coalition of local environment, community and faith groups across South East England uniting for urgent action on climate change.

    Starting working with District and Parish councils to expand the message to surrounding villages

    3rd annual eco art challenge was our Community Ocean Art project in Horsham District, culminating into #oceanbombing Horsham District and a display in the Carfax in Horsham

    Shortlisted for the Climate Coalition Awards

  • 2020

    Youth Engagement

    Started the Youth Eco Forum for young people to join the cause

    4th annual eco art competition with the SDNP supported by The Boltini Trust for schools in the National park including delivering education sessions

    New weekly column in West Sussex County Times

    Expanded recycling offering in Horsham

    Launched Climate Café Zoom and Horsham Future Forum online events to provide advice for people wanting to their everyday living more sustainable

    Win GOLD in the CPRE Sussex Countryside Awards for promoting Nature & the Countryside

    2020

  • 2021

    On the Road

    Launch of the retrofitted milk float for roadshow events & schools

    Launched our pop-up Community Climate Hub in Horsham town centre called Sussex Green Hub

    Community Energy Horsham project began

  • 2022

    10 years on

    5th annual eco art competition with the SDNP supported by The Boltini Trust (for schools and kids groups within the SDNP)

    Ran our Repair Cafe Schools’ Challenge for Horsham District Schools

    Catherine Sleeman wins Horsham District Young Volunteer of the Year for the Youth Eco Forum

    2022