Local parent, husband and ocean lover working to rid our community of single-use plastic.
How long have you lived in the area?
We’ve been South Londoners for 17 years, gradually moving Eastwards and finally up to East Dulwich from Peckham two weeks before our daughter was born, just in the nick of time! That was 8.5 years ago now.
What brought you here?
We’ve always loved living in South London, the mixture of cultures, the green spaces, the independent community spirit. Now we’ve settled in East Dulwich we honestly couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in London.
What do you most value about the area/street you live in?
The proximity to three amazing green spaces: Dulwich Park with its facilities and events, Peckham Rye with the Japanese Garden and kids area where we celebrate our daughter’s birthday every year and Dulwich Wood where I still get lost every time I go, without fail!
What one thing would you change?
A complete ban on single-use plastic!
Do you belong to any groups?
I run Plastic Free East Dulwich with a group of fantastic volunteers. We’re working to raise awareness and change behaviour towards single-use plastics in our community. Talking to the council, schools, businesses and other community groups and organising events like our monthly Community Cleans. Follow us to find out more (details below).
Describe your perfect weekend
A dawn swim at Brockwell Lido or a run round Dulwich Park, a stroll down Lordship Lane and North Cross Road Market with a coffee and a cake from the South East Cakery, one of our Plastic Free Champion businesses.
Where’s your favourite place to walk?
Dulwich Wood – we are so lucky to have areas like these on our doorstep and we need to do everything we can to protect them. Most people don’t actively go out to damage the environment but we have to remember that all our actions have consequences. The waste that entangles our flora and fauna and poisons our rivers, waterways and seas comes from the system that we are all a part of. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to reduce our impact and encourage others (including government and businesses) to do the same. There is no Planet B!
What is your favourite shop?
It has to be Karavan Eco – they have been providing eco-friendly products and advocating environmentally conscious living since 1995.
The book I’m reading at the moment
How to Save the World for Free by Natalie Fee. Some of the environmental books out there are pretty hard going, full of climate doom, Natalie’s book is refreshingly entertaining and positive. She tackles issues in a light-hearted way that makes the suggestions she is making so much more accessible and achievable. I highly recommend for anyone wanting to make some small (and free!) changes to help our planet.
My perfect holiday
Peeling, shoulder high waves in Devon with only friends, family and the odd seal for company. Coming out of the sea to look for plastic waste to clear up and finding there is none. This would be perfect but sadly no longer the reality on our shores. But nothing like a quick beach clean to warm you up after a cold surf!
Find out more about Plastic Free East Dulwich at www.plasticfreeeastduwlich.org and follow us on social: Instagram: @PlasticFreeEastDulwich Facebook: @PlasticFreeEastDulwich Twitter: @plasticfreeED