Millom Network Centre: Tackling Waste, Helping the Environment

Join us in Millom for a practical and inspiring day exploring how communities can cut costs, reduce waste and take action for climate and nature.

We’ll start at Millom Network Centre, where Tony Dixon will introduce the centre’s work and take us on a tour of its community shop, selling pre-loved furniture, low-cost and surplus food, as well as its community garden and composting facilities. We’ll hear how these initiatives have been developed, what makes them work, the challenges they face and what lessons could be shared or replicated elsewhere.

Over lunch, Futureproof Cumbria’s Home Energy Support service will be on hand with a pop-up information stand and advice surgery. Lunch is provided free of charge as part of the Food Cumberland Partnership’s Harvest Fest celebrations, with food made using surplus produce.

In the afternoon, we’ll screen The People’s Emergency Briefing, a 50-minute film fronted by Chris Packham which explores the facts behind the UK’s climate and nature crisis, featuring leading scientists and voices from the worlds of media and business. We’ll then discuss the issues raised and consider what more we can do locally.

The event is part of Westogether, a programme of networking opportunities exploring practical ways to cut costs and take action on climate and nature, funded by the Matson Ground Fund.

Getting there

Millom is served by Northern Railway on the Cumbrian Coast Line, with Millom Network Centre around a 15-minute walk from the station. The X7 Stagecoach bus also runs from Whitehaven, although the journey is relatively long.

If you're travelling by car, we’d strongly encourage lift sharing. Please let us know if you can offer a lift, including where you’re travelling from, or if you need transport.

Programme

10.30am – Arrival, tea and coffee
10.45am – Welcome and introduction
11.00am – Tour of Millom Network Centre and presentation
11.45am – Discussion and shared learning
12.15pm – Networking lunch and Futureproof Home Energy Support
1.00pm – Screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing
1.45pm – Discussion and identifying local follow-up actions
2.30pm – Closing remarks and finish