sUStain: transforming climate concerns into Active Hope

sUStain is a pioneering climate anxiety project, which provides support for adults and young people, in partnership with UEA, the Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) and other partners. 

First piloted in 2019, we now offer a range of support around climate distress (such as eco-anxiety and climate grief and many other feelings about our changing world).   These emphasise our connection to each other (the “us” in sUStain) which is crucial in helping us face this enormous global challenge .

We offer: 
  • One-off workshops and creative awareness events exploring these approaches to normalise these concerns.
  • Monthly 'Climate Cafe' drop ins co facilitated by UEA students where feelings and thoughts can be shared
  • A 6 week programme based on mindfulness and elements of the Active Hope approach (following the best-selling book Active Hope: How to face the mess we are in with Unexpected Resilience and Creative Power by Resilience expert Chris Johnstone and eco-philosopher Joanna Macy). This course has recently been evaluated by the University of Bath.
  • There are also opportunities for group participants to be mentored to continue run their own Active Hope book groups – we hope to offer this again in future.

What is Active Hope? The Active Hope element of this approach, is radical in that it does not require us to feel hopeful to take action, or paradoxically, to focus on the outcome. This frees us to try new, creative ways to resolve issues. We can use gratitude, mindfulness and a whole range of resilience practices to resource us to do this.  

We are currently working proactively with students at UEA and residents in North Norfolk directly affected by climate change thanks to funding from our fundraising efforts. 
 
We are also able to offer our activities in collaboration with various partners in Norwich and across Norfolk and Waveney. Over the last year these have included The Sainsbury Centre, Norwich Theatre, First Light Festival, The Natural History Museum, Anglia Ruskin University as well as sessions for Cambridge City Council and Natural England. Please do contact us for further information.   

 
Active Hope in Challenging Times Workshop
 

 
BBC News Coverage: Don't let doom win project tells worriers

A new project has been launched to address rising climate anxiety in students at the University of East Anglia.

At the opening in Norwich, students told BBC News they felt
hopelessness, anger and despair about climate change.

They worry how they will live in a world with an unpredictable climate and the destruction of nature.

Read more here

 

 🌍 sUStain Climate Cafés & Sculpture Walks at the Sainsbury Centre

🗓 Dates: 27th May, 24th June, 29th July, 26th August,
30th September
⏰ Time: 4:00PM – 5:30 PM
📍 Meet: Sainsbury Centre, Studio – Meet at Reception

Walk. Talk. Reflect.

Concerned about the climate crisis? Looking for a space to connect, reflect, and share how you’re feeling? Join us each month for a unique series of Climate Cafés and Sculpture Walks at the Sainsbury Centre, blending art, nature, and meaningful conversation in a welcoming and supportive space.

Each session begins with a guided walk through the Sculpture Park, led by a volunteer, sparking thoughtful climate conversations inspired by the landscape and art around us. We’ll then gather for a Climate Café—an informal, friendly space to share emotions, concerns, and hopes around the climate emergency, over a cuppa and cake.

💬 These gatherings offer a gentle and non-judgemental space to process eco-anxiety, connect with like-minded people, and revive our sense of agency and compassionate action.

🎨 Each café also includes a special exhibit introduction from a Sainsbury Centre team member (details announced monthly).

🌱 Whether you're a seasoned activist or simply curious, all are welcome.

To book a place, or for any inquires please email us at sustain@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk 

 

sUStain Coastal : Community Wellbeing Project

Are you feeling anxious about the future of Happisburgh or Trimingham? Distressed or angry about the impact on your home and community? 

sUStain Coastal is a new project funded by the Coastwise Coastal Communities Transition Fund, offering bespoke support for Happisburgh and Trimingham residents cope with the devastating impacts of coastal erosion.

We would love to hear what kind of support you would like!
We’ll be holding a series of ‘listening events’ where you can tell us what kind of activities, skills and support would help you feel more resilient, less stressed and more hopeful ….
We’ll design a project together which enables you to:
  • Share your thoughts about our threatened coastlines and environment.
  • Express your worries and hopes in a relaxed, a-political and non-judgmental environment.
  • Connect with fellow community members who face the same challenges. 
  • Benefit from wellbeing support and information events as well as activities, groups and workshops that help keep us resilient and well. 
  • Access free counselling and complementary therapies

Our focus is on processing thoughts and feelings about the impacts of coastal erosion and policy rather than political action.  While campaigning is important, here we focus on emotional support and building resilience, which are key for mental wellbeing at times when we are under stress and facing enormous challenges.

For more information please contact Ruth Taylor at
sustain@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or call 0300 330 5488

 
Get involved with the project as a volunteer!

There will be more exciting opportunities available for students at UEA to volunteer with this project.

We are looking for student volunteers to take an active role in steering the sUStain project, co-designing workshops and helping to run climate anxiety cafes. Research has shown that giving yourself agency within climate anxiety can improve your own wellbeing, as well as benefiting others you are supporting. And there are also opportunities to continue aspects of the project into the future. 

For more information about the project and opportunities available please download the link below.
Visit our Volunteer Page

 
Coffee & Geography - Georamblings

Kit chats to Rebecca Nestor & Caroline Fernandez about tacking climate anxiety, active hope through conversations, knitting, TV box sets amongst other things!

Rebecca is a climate activist and climate psychologist, and a recovering doctoral student at the University of Essex. She works mostly through the Climate Psychology Alliance, where she is on the board of directors and lead on climate cafes, but also a freelance organisational consultant and facilitator. Rebecca’s work is about supporting those facing the climate crisis. She lives in Oxford and regularly splashes about in the Thames.

Caroline is Project Coordinator for sUStain. She is a networker, food grower, environmentalist and chirpy ex Londoner, now living in Norfolk. Eldest of eight siblings, Caroline loves to travel the world through food, loves speaking German, and has family in India.

 

 
For more information about climate anxiety, including our partners, please see:

 



 

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50 Sale Road
Norwich
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Tel: 0300 330 5488
 

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