New sustainability hub launches in Cheltenham

A charity has opened a new venue aimed at helping people learn and share ideas about how to be more sustainable.

The Greenhouse, based in St Pauls in Cheltenham, operates by using a heat pump, rainwater harvesting and solar power.

The venue, opened by charity Vision 21 on Earth Day on Wednesday, will offer activities such as youth sessions, films, upcycling workshops, and discussions on environmental and social justice.

The charity's CEO, James Cooke, said the hub will "empower people to live greener and more sustainable lives".

Raechel Kelly, project lead, said The Greenhouse is "more than a building" and will help the community "lead the way on climate solutions".

Felicity Parnham runs Cheltenham Action for Nature, a local group that plans to use the hub for talks.

She said a dedicated space for discussing issues caused by climate change is needed in Cheltenham.

"I think one of the problems is that climate change, sustainability, nature recovery, they're big topics, and yet we have no central space to go to," she said.

"Having one place where you know you can go and meet people and they are fully supportive of what you're doing… I think it's going to be a real benefit."

Vision 21 said it will raise money towards the running costs and development of The Greenhouse through the Big Give Earth Raise appeal.

From Earth Day through to 29 April, every donation made to the charity through the Big Give platform will be matched in full.

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