My first meeting as Chair was in November 2014! And in January 2015 we agreed our new mission statement:
“Holme Valley Fairtrade is a group of individuals and organisations from around the Holme Valley working together to promote Fairtrade and encourage people to “shop local, think global”.’
Has this been fulfilled? Are we achieving success? Well……. Since January 2015 we have….
A success? I think so!
But two of these need a little more explanation, two things that as Holme Valley Fairtrade we are thrilled to have been involved in………
Honley High School Fairtrade Forum:
We first met at our website launch during Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, following a campaign to find a missing banana! (really!) Since then, working closely with fellow Holme Valley Fairtrade members’ fairandfunky, the school established a Fairtrade Forum with representatives from each year group. The students take it in turns to join our monthly meetings and inspire us with their energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. In school, these brilliant students meet weekly to bring Fairtrade into school whenever and wherever they can. From organising Fairtrade breaks, to supporting external events, to running stalls, skyping Fairtrade farmers and taking on the 90kg rice challenge, the students have shown real determination and commitment for Fairtrade. Not least when they joined Holme Valley Fairtrade on a trip to Parliament during Fairtrade Fortnight 2016……..
“Holme Valley Fairtrade is a group of individuals and organisations from around the Holme Valley working together to promote Fairtrade and encourage people to “shop local, think global”.’
Has this been fulfilled? Are we achieving success? Well……. Since January 2015 we have….
- Launched a website with 39 businesses, schools, churches and other organisations listed
- Run stalls at two Fairtrade Fairs, Holmfirth Folk Festival, and Holmfirth Food and Drink Festival
- Hosted a Fairtrade film night during Holmfirth Film Festival
- Curated a hugely successful ‘Cotton on to Fairtrade’ bag exhibition
- Met with local MP Jason McCartney on numerous occasions
- Taken part in the fairandfunky 90kg rice challenge
- Worked closely with Honley High School to set up and meet regularly with a new Fairtrade Forum
- Created a beautiful patchwork banner to show what Fairtrade means to our community
- Celebrated our 10th birthday party at Honley High School
- Been to Parliament to launch the APPG for Fairtrade
- Put consumer pressure on Sainsbury’s to stock Fairtrade sugar – they do!
- Challenged various Co-op stores to sell more Fairtrade – still need biscuits!
- Have been ‘Runners up’ in the Fairtrade Foundation Fairtrade Fortnight Campaign Awards in 2015 and…
- Lead assemblies at local schools
- Established an online group for Fairtrade Supporters nationally!
- Organised ‘Wake up to Fairtrade’ event in Holmfirth Market
- Joined in various networking events with businesses around the Holme Valley
- Built a twitter community of 861 people from all corners of the globe
- Gathered 125 facebook followers
- Spoken at the APPG for Fairtrade AGM in Parliament and advised MPs on how to get involved with campaigners in their constituencies.
A success? I think so!
But two of these need a little more explanation, two things that as Holme Valley Fairtrade we are thrilled to have been involved in………
Honley High School Fairtrade Forum:
We first met at our website launch during Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, following a campaign to find a missing banana! (really!) Since then, working closely with fellow Holme Valley Fairtrade members’ fairandfunky, the school established a Fairtrade Forum with representatives from each year group. The students take it in turns to join our monthly meetings and inspire us with their energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. In school, these brilliant students meet weekly to bring Fairtrade into school whenever and wherever they can. From organising Fairtrade breaks, to supporting external events, to running stalls, skyping Fairtrade farmers and taking on the 90kg rice challenge, the students have shown real determination and commitment for Fairtrade. Not least when they joined Holme Valley Fairtrade on a trip to Parliament during Fairtrade Fortnight 2016……..
The Fairtrade APPG:
When Holly Lynch MP was elected in May 2015 she came to Helen and Sophie from fairandfunky and Holme Valley Fairtrade for advice on how to bring Fairtrade to Parliament. We did not hesitate in helping out – asking Jason McCartney MP to join her in establishing an All Party Parliamentary Group for Fairtrade.
We petitioned the Fairtrade Foundation, we met with Jason and Holly, we campaigned on social media and in 2016 we were at the launch in Parliament! Since then Helen has spoken at the Fairtrade APPG AGM, inspiring other MPs to take action in their constituency AND Parliament.
“We have been catalysts in creating the APPG, we’re influencers and game changers.” Holme Valley Fairtrade AGM
When Holly Lynch MP was elected in May 2015 she came to Helen and Sophie from fairandfunky and Holme Valley Fairtrade for advice on how to bring Fairtrade to Parliament. We did not hesitate in helping out – asking Jason McCartney MP to join her in establishing an All Party Parliamentary Group for Fairtrade.
We petitioned the Fairtrade Foundation, we met with Jason and Holly, we campaigned on social media and in 2016 we were at the launch in Parliament! Since then Helen has spoken at the Fairtrade APPG AGM, inspiring other MPs to take action in their constituency AND Parliament.
“We have been catalysts in creating the APPG, we’re influencers and game changers.” Holme Valley Fairtrade AGM
None of this would have been achieved with each member of Holme Valley Fairtrade……whether or not you come to a meeting every month. EVERY little bit you do for Holme Valley Fairtrade makes a HUGE difference to raising awareness of Fairtrade, increasing sales and CHANGING LIVES in farming communities around the world.
You might do this by coming to a meeting or when you buy a Fairtrade product in your weekly shop. You do this when you share a facebook post or get involved with a campaigning event. You do this when you bake a cake or share a Fairtrade brew with a colleague.
EVERY LITTLE THING MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. Thank you to each and every one of you.
Reading this blog and want to get involved in 2017? Contact our Chair: Helen via holmevalleyfairtrade@gmail.com
You might do this by coming to a meeting or when you buy a Fairtrade product in your weekly shop. You do this when you share a facebook post or get involved with a campaigning event. You do this when you bake a cake or share a Fairtrade brew with a colleague.
EVERY LITTLE THING MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. Thank you to each and every one of you.
Reading this blog and want to get involved in 2017? Contact our Chair: Helen via holmevalleyfairtrade@gmail.com
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