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FAQ

 

How much does this cost?

Nothing! This programme is free, thanks to funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Big Green Challenge PLUS. Go to top.

How can you offer this for free?

Transition Town Totnes has secured funding the cover the costs of this programme (to plan it, organise things, write the workbook, print the workbook, put on events etc). This came from a private trust call the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and from the Big Green Challenge PLUS. Go to top.

Who is funding this work?

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is a charitable foundation established in Portugal in 1956 with cultural, educational, social and scientific interests. The Foundation’s Headquarters are in Lisbon with offices in London (the UK Branch) and Paris. The purpose of the UK Branch is to help enrich and connect the experiences of people in the UK and Ireland and secure lasting and beneficial change in their lives. The environmental innovations fund aims to support imaginative interventions that contribute towards the protection of the environment, and explore how environmental change affects the way we live.

The Big Green Challenge is NESTA’s £1 million challenge prize designed to stimulate and support community-led responses to climate change. It aims to uncover what support these communities need to transform their bright ideas into viable solutions that will improve all of our lives. In early 2008, 355 groups came forward with a wide range of imaginative and practical ideas for reducing CO2 emissions in their communities. They then selected 100 of the most promising groups, who received support from the Big Green Challenge team to develop their ideas into detailed plans. From this group, we shortlisted ten finalists who are now putting their ideas into practice to compete for the £1 million prize. Transition Together are one of these ten.

We are very grateful to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation  and the Big Green Challenge PLUS for supporting the Transition Together project. Go to top.

Can anyone join?

Yes, any resident of Totnes & District can join the programme. This means anyone living in Totnes or one of its 13 surrounding parishes which are Ashprington, Berry Pomeroy, Cornworthy, Dartington, Diptford, Halwell & Moreleigh, Harberton, Littlehempston, Marldon, Rattery, South Brent, Staverton and Stoke Gabriel. Go to top.

Who's doing it already?

Over 280 Totnes residents so far...See our 'Groups and their stories' section to find out more about the people already doing the Transition Together programme. Go to top.

How do I join?

It's very easy - just call, email or visit us and and we'll get you started. See our 'Join us' section for more information. Go to top.

Can you help me find other people to form a group with?

Yes, we keep a list of other people who are also looking to form or join a new group. Get in touch with us, and we'll help connect you all together. Go to top.

Who's running this programme?

Our team here consists of Fiona Ward, who established the progect, on behalf of Transition Town Totnes, and who now coordinates it together with Lou Ward. We also have help from our 'group facilitators' Hal, Mary and Jenny. Fraser Durham and Mary Popham also do the project work for the Transition Streets pv grants part of the project. Many others have helped to develop and deliver the programme. Go to top.

What's Transition Town Totnes?

Totnes is the world’s first Transition Town. Transition Town Totnes (TTT) is a community process by which we, the residents of Totnes and its surrounding parishes, are taking action to make the transition from being oil-dependent and vulnerable, to a more secure, enjoyable and re-localised future, whilst  maintaining and enhancing the quality of life we enjoy in our special part of the world. Our work is based a simple recognition that life with lower energy consumption is inevitable, and it’s better to plan for that than be taken by surprise.

There are a number of reasons why we think making this transition is necessary but essentially, we are exploring and developing ways to regain control of our own affairs. We are strengthening our communities and taking responsibility for every aspect of our lives. While our task may be serious, our approach is fun and welcoming. Whether you are a doer or a thinker, a farmer or a banker, a mum or a dad, an elder or a nipper, there are plenty of ways you can be involved.There are projects and activities looking at our food, local business,jobs, energy, arts, housing, building, education, transport, health and well-being, emotional support ... and more. Go to top.

How long does it take?

The Transition Together programme includes 7 group sessions. Each session lasts about 2 hours. We recommend that groups meet about every 2 weeks, so overall, this will take about 3-4 months. Go to top.

What if I don't know anyone else to form a group with?

You can still join a group - just contact us and let us know you're interested and we'll try to match you up with others in your local area. Go to top.

Can I bring my kid(s) along?

Each Transition Together group will define its own rules about what's acceptable. Finding other people who also want to bring children along would make this particular request more likely. Go to top.

I'm not in Totnes & District - can I still join in?

Sorry no, at the moment the programme is only offered to residents of this area, due to our limited resources. Go to top.

I'm not in Totnes & District and want to set-up this programme for my own community - can you help?

Yes probably - please see the current rollout plan for more information. Go to top.

Who else in involved?

We have a number of partners working with us on this programme. Please see our 'Partners and links' section for more information. Go to top.

 What does 'Transition' mean?

 'Transition' represents the changes and the processes required to take us all from being oil-dependent and vulnerable, to a more secure, enjoyable and re-localised future, whilst  maintaining and enhancing our quality of life. Go to top.