The Pickwell Foundation

This week is #AntiSlaveryWeek and we have used resources by The Salvation Army and Hope for Justice and Slave-Free Alliance to shine a light on #ModernDaySlavery. During the week, as well as this article we will share stories from our communities and volunteers, highlighting the signs to watch for and providing guidance on how to report your concerns. Don't forget to subscribe! #TogetherWithRefugees #CommunityLedWelcome

It's been an absolute privilege to be part of this creative and healing project. This initiative is one of 50 recognised by the European Cultural Foundation as part of #TheEuropeChallenge2024, collaborating with Honeyscribe and Libraries Unlimited South West we were able to support of Afghan community with a variety of artistic activities to help their wellbeing and connect them to the natural world here in #NorthDevon. Listen to Amy from Honeyscribe and one of the Afghan women who attended these sessions discuss the project with the BBC here (the interview starts around 1hr 48mins in) - https://lnkd.in/eJN5MNNk #TogetherWithRefugees #CommunityLedWelcome

Climate change consequences, such as rising temperatures and increased rainfall, can lead to negative health outcomes. For instance, experiencing flooding can raise the risk of depression and anxiety as well as the spread of diseases while heat stress can pose significant dangers to vulnerable populations, including those already facing social inequalities and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. These links were only included on the COP agenda for the first time at COP28 in 2023. Our friends at Green Alliance launched two reports at a conference funded by Wellcome Trust yesterday, read about them via their original post below with links to the reports available in the comments below 👇 #ClimateChange #COP29 #ClimateEmergency

Another one of our trustees making a significant impact! Tracey Elliott recently participated in a panel at Solar Storage Live, representing Eden Sustainable Ltd, where she discussed the development and delivery of skills and training needed for the future solar workforce. One of our team Romesh Molligoda joined Tracey and Rob Whitney for the day where they interviewed attendees looking to address the skills shortage and highlight the many opportunities that #solar has to offer. #RenewableEnergy #SolarWorkforce

Last week trustee, Susannah Baker MBE went to a Roundtable, as an off-shoot to the The Labour Party conference, with @RtHonSeema Malhotra MP (Minister for Migration and Citizenship) in attendance, to talk about the need to expand and grow safe routes for refugees to come to the U.K. Susannah spoke about Community Sponsorship on behalf of the Community Sponsorship Alliance and us at The Pickwell Foundation "Our sleeves are fully rolled up. There is much to do, but things are looking positive and possible for a future with, yes, controlled migration, but more care, more intelligence and without it needing to cost the earth in doing so. In fact, it could even add to our economy whilst doing good" Read about her trip via her original post below. #CommunityLedWelcome #TogetherWithRefugees #SafePathways #Migration

This Summer the Taliban published a host of new “vice and virtue” laws, these ‘Frightening’ prohibitions for women include: Completely veiling their bodies – including their faces – in thick clothing at all times in public to avoid leading men into temptation and vice. Not directly looking at men they are not related to by blood or marriage. They can no longer be heard singing or reading aloud, even from inside their houses. Prior to the new laws, women and girls were already stopped from attending secondary school; banned from almost every form of paid employment; prevented from walking in public parks, attending gyms or beauty salons. Earlier this year, the Taliban also announced the reintroduction of the public flogging and stoning of women for adultery. Last month, in a hotel on the outskirts of Tirana, Albania, a group of courageous and extraordinary Afghan women gathered together for a summit discussing the horrific human rights abuses women in Afghanistan are facing at the hands of the terrifying Taliban regime. Katy Woolley, our Afghan Resettlement lead shared: "I've just listened to this podcast and it's made me really emotional. I really recommend. It's really harrowing but uplifting about the women who are left in Afghanistan and how the Taliban have upped everything. To now public stoning, to women can no longer speak too loudly in their own homes as other men outside might hear. There are literally being shut out of life. It is a stark reminder of what our Afghan communities families are living through right now with their sisters, aunties, mothers and grandmother's all facing still living under Taliban rule. The International community are pushing for "Gender apartheid" to be recognised as crime under International law for these Afghan women. Their voices need to be heard". Listen to this podcast by The Guardian which documents this monumental event - https://lnkd.in/exV6jWNs #TogetherWithRefugees #Afghanistan #HumanRights

Legal challenges against the #Rosebank oil drilling project have recently been given the green light, meaning Greenpeace UK and our friends at Uplift can both make their cases to prove that the projects emissions were unlawfully ignored. If this project goes ahead it will not only work against our Net Zero targets but also set a bad example for other nations globally over the start of new oil drilling projects and the use of non-renewable energy over sustainable alternatives for #PeopleAnd Planet For updates on this and much more subscribe to our mailing list - https://tr.ee/ySHvUw9_08 Stay up to date on the Rosebank developments as they unfold here - https://lnkd.in/gxRp98su and don't forget to join their campaigns! #CliamteEmergency #RenewableEnergy #NetZero

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we stand with those reclaiming narratives of resilience, courage, and contribution in the face of displacement and migration. Let’s honor the enduring spirit of Black communities worldwide, celebrating their rich history and culture while advocating for justice and equity. We must encourage everyone to do the work: Contact your children's schools and ask what are they doing to educate, support and celebrate diversity, culture and the history that has helped shape the world we live in today. Support Black creatives and storytellers. Immerse yourself in music, films, podcasts and art. Write to your MP's and call for tougher consequences to those who target Black and migrant communities. Stand in solidarity against deep-rooted institutional racism and actively be part of the change that is still so desperately needed. Support charities like us by volunteering and collectively advocating for the communities we support, helping them feel welcomed and connected. #ReclaimingNarratives

On Friday the Foundation team alongside some of our awesome volunteers and Eden Sustainable Ltd staff hit the Tarka Trail to litter pick in the local area do our bit for #WorldCleanUpDay Thank you Plastic Free North Devon for organising such a great event. It's never too late to do your bit! Ignore the weather and get out in the community and tidy up, perhaps do a beach clean or maybe 'litter pick' your school or local to where you work. Keep on top of all our news, events and stories from across the Foundation supporting #PeopleAndPlanet . Sign up to our seasonal newsletter via the link in our comments below👇

A huge win for #PeopleAndPlanet We recently wrote about this legal challenge here - https://lnkd.in/eQKy48p6 Thank you to everyone involved in this decision being overturned, it’s now for the UK Government to come to take a stand and not allow this mine to be built! Thank you Friends of the Earth and South Lakes action for all you hard work in and out of court. #ClimateCrisis #ClimateEmergency