Author Archives: fin

  1. Environmental Policy

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    We recognise our role as an arts and community organisation working at the heart of the community, providing spaces for connection, collaboration, education, and care. We understand that organisations like ours can play a vital role in demonstrating commitments to climate justice and environmental protection.  

    At intoBodmin, we are committed to minimising our environmental impact and promoting sustainability in all aspects of our operations and in the work that we do.  

    We have set ourselves the following three environmental commitments to make positive changes, influence others, and shape our environment with and for Bodmins community; 

    1. Sustainable Operations: Minimise our environmental footprint by implementing sustainable practices in our daily operations and facilities. 
    2. Sustainability and Audience Engagement in Events & Activities: Integrate sustainability considerations into our event and activity planning process and engage with our audience and communities to promote sustainable behaviours. 
    3. Education and Advocacy: Use our platforms and events to educate our audience and advocate for environmental stewardship and climate action and work internally to deepen our own knowledge and climate action.  

    How we plan to deliver these commitments:

    We are committed to delivering on our environmental commitments through a robust action plan that includes specific, clear objectives, and actionable steps to implement sustainable practices, track progress, and achieve our environmental goals effectively. Regular monitoring, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement will be integral parts of our approach to ensure transparency, accountability, and successful implementation 

    How we will monitor our progress:

    • intoBodmin is committed to implementing robust monitoring and evaluation processes to track the progress of our environmental commitments and objectives. 
    • Regularly assess key performance indicators (KPIs) related to waste reduction, energy efficiency, community engagement, and event sustainability. 
    • Conduct annual carbon footprint surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of our sustainability initiatives and identify areas for improvement. 
    • Utilise feedback mechanisms, surveys, and data analysis to measure the impact of our environmental engagement with the community and adjust strategies accordingly. 
    • Share monitoring results and progress updates with stakeholders, staff members, and the public to foster transparency and accountability in our environmental efforts. 

    This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis to ascertain our performance, where we are doing well, what we can improve and how we can update the policy to reflect advances in our understanding of positive environmental behaviours.  

    Environmental action plan

    Environment-Policy-Action-Plan-24-25-1Download

     

    To find out more about what intoBodmin is doing sustainably you can read our blogs on sustainable switches we have made by following this link and find our carbon footprint analysis here.

  2. Sustainable Switches

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    As an organisation, we recognise the importance of addressing the impact that intoBodmin has on the environment. Our missions involve creating positive change within the community, and protecting the environment is an important part of this. We also know that sustainability is important to our community. This page lists some of the swaps we have made as part of our sustainability journey. We hope that you find this list informative and maybe even try some of these switches as part of your own journey.

    Switching to environmentally friendly cleaning products-Cleaning products can be extremely harmful to both the environment and aquatic life. As an organisation, we have made the switch to more environmentally friendly cleaning products where possible. This is a simple switch that you can try at home!

    Reduced plastic usage-Bodmin alone consumes almost 2 million single use plastic bottles per year. Reducing this and making more environmentally friendly switches is vital for protecting the environment. IntoBodmin is part of Surfers against Sewage’s plastic free communities initiative and has achieved a Silver award. Find out more about this here https://intobodmin.co.uk/plastic-free-status-for-bodmin/. This represents a significant reduction in our use of single use plastics. Simple switches you can try at home are using reusable bottles and containers, changing shopping habits and carrying your own coffee cup. You might find that you can also save on the cost of your daily cuppa!

    Composting-As part of our community garden, we have a compost heap where waste scraps become fertile soil. This is great for both soil health and reducing food waste. If you have the space this would be a great project!

    Public transport and active travel-We are trying to encourage our audience to use public transport and more sustainable travel to help reduce transport emissions to our venues. Audience transport makes up 60% of our carbon emissions, so it is vital that we reduce this. Whilst we understand that, being in a rural area, this can sometimes be challenging; why not try walking or cycling for your next short journey or catching a bus, if it is a longer trip. Find information about getting to us sustainably by following this link https://intobodmin.co.uk/?p=2300. This will take you to the Getting Here page. We have also trailed a car pooling scheme in the summer of 2024 for Theatre in the Woods events held at Cardinham. The aim of this is to increase the number of people in each car to cut down emissions. Although uptake was limited, we hope to see more success on similar projects run in the future.

    Reducing energy use-This is a great way to protect the environment and save money at the same time. We have reduced our energy use by switching to LED lights and installing solar panels. We’ve also increased our signage around the building, reminding people to take sustainable action. Energy use makes up 24% of UK carbon emissions, so decreasing this will have a significant impact.

    Reducing water usage-Initiatives such as installing a water butt and water saving taps and fixtures has been a successful way of decreasing our water usage. Try this at home as a quick switch which can greatly decrease your environmental footprint. South West Water have a lot of water saving hints and tips on their website, which be found at the following link: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/savewater.

    Eating seasonally and sourcing locally-Do you think about how far the food on your plate has travelled to get there? Food mileage has a significant impact on the carbon footprint of a meal. Eating seasonally reduces food mileage with the added benefits of being more affordable and tasting fresher. The specials board in the Café uses seasonal produce and we even source some items from our community garden creating no food miles at all, only footsteps!

    Carbon literacy training-It is important for everyone at intoBodmin to understand our environmental aims. To increase awareness, we are working towards all staff receiving Carbon Literacy training. This will ensure our team is always thinking of our impact on the environment and consider changes to improve our environmental sustainability.

    Reducing paper usage– In an effort to cut down on paper waste, we are reducing paper usage by digitising documents and switching to electronic tickets.

    Recycling-There are recycling points located around the building; in the Café, Co-working space and on the upstairs landing under the sink. Waste makes up 30% of our carbon emissions, so it is extremely important that we reduce this. We need everyone who uses the building to help with this.

    Community partnerships-As part of our role in the community, we aim to establish partnerships with different Environmental Organisations. We recently ran a successful regenerative farming session ‘Don’t Soil Yourself’ and we’re hoping to continue with similar partnerships in the future.

    It would be great if you tried some of these switches at home to help protect our environment! This is just the beginning of our sustainability journey and there is always more that everyone can do! Find out more about our sustainability journey here too see our carbon footprint breakdown or here for our Environmental action plan.

    Written by Daisy Teague

  3. Carbon footprint analysis

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    At intoBodmin, we recently calculated our carbon footprint for 2023-24. This allows us to see which areas are doing well and which areas need to be improved. It also allows us to track our progress into the future. You can calculate your own carbon footprint and begin your own environmental journey by following this link https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ .

    Audience Travel

    Audience travel makes up 60% of the Carbon footprint for intoBodmin. We need the support and engagement from the whole community to try and reduce this. Whilst we understand the restrictions of our audience living in a rural area, there are still many actions that can be taken. To improve this, we are taking steps such as promoting the use of public and other sustainable transport options to get to our events. You can find out how to travel to us more sustainably by visiting our getting here page. We have also trialed a car pooling scheme for our Theatre in the Woods sessions, held at Cardinham in 2024 to try and reduce audience car usage. Although there was limited uptake for this, we hope that in the future, this scheme will become more successful.

    Waste

    Waste makes up 29% of the Carbon footprint for intoBodmin. Food waste from the café is minimal as the specials board is always changing to prevent waste. Any food scraps are added to the compost heap when possible which cuts this even further. We have achieved silver plastic free status from Surfers against Sewage and are looking at how to achieve gold. To reduce this further we are looking at cup usage at larger St Petrocs session events and getting food waste bins for cooked waste.

    Energy

    Energy makes up 8% of the Carbon footprint for intoBodmin. The switch from night storage heaters to solar panels has significantly decreased our night-time energy usage, as well as decreasing our dependency on fossil fuels. The building renovations have also seen our day-time energy usage remain constant, despite us holding more events and the Café being open for longer. We are introducing signage to remind people to reduce their energy usage, with the aim of further decreasing our carbon footprint. This will help us meet the goal in our Action plan by reducing our energy usage by 10% by the end of the year.

    To find out more about what we are doing as an Organisation, click here to find a blog about what Sustainable switches we have made. Or follow this link to access our Environmental policy and Action plan.

    Written by Daisy Teague

  4. Getting Here

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    As an Organisation Audience transport makes up around 60% of our carbon emissions, with the majority of this coming from car journeys. Whilst we understand that it is not always possible to avoid car use as we live in a rural area, it would be great if you could help us protect the environment and, where possible, choose to take an alternative form of transport.

    IntoBodmin is located at The Old Library at the top of the high street in Bodmin: The Old Library, 10 Lower Bore Street, Bodmin PL31 2JX.

    By bus

    Travelling by bus is not only sustainable but also an affordable option at only £2 per ticket. There are several bus stops within a 5 minute walk of the Old Library, so there are plenty of options. The GoCornwall bus app has information on all buses to and from Bodmin, with additional features such as live bus tracking. You can also visit their website Timetables & Maps – Go Cornwall Bus to find timetables and details of service updates.

    Regular buses– Please check before travel as these can regularly change

    Route 11- To Wadebridge (every 30 minutes) and Padstow (every hour) Last bus at 21.26 

    Route 11 -To Bodmin Parkway (approx. every 30 minutes) Last bus at 22.00

    Route 26- St Austell/Truro/Roche/Cornwall services (approx. every 1-2hours) Last bus at 22.42

    Route 96/96A/96S- St Tudy/Camelford/Polzeath/Delabole (approx. every 2 hours) Last bus at 17.50.

    There are additional bus routes which run less regularly. These can be found on the Go Cornwall bus website-Timetables & Maps – Go Cornwall Bus.

    Bike storage

    Cycling is a great eco-friendly way to travel, if you are able. There are many cycle routes around Bodmin and we are located just off the Camel trail.

    There are bike racks located opposite The Old Library building.

    By train

    Bodmin Parkway train station is on the main Plymouth to Penzance train line and is approximately 4 miles from The Old Library. It can be accessed by the number 11 bus or by Taxi.

    The Last train to Plymouth is at 22.17 and to Penzance is 23.17. This should provide you with plenty of time to get to the station after an evening performance (please note that times may vary, so it is important to check before you decide to travel).

    Find train times and more information on the GWR website.

    Car parking

    All car parks listed are within a 5 minute walk and offer affordable prices.

    There is also free car parking after 4pm in all council car parks

    Dennison Road Short Stay Car Park, 4 Bree Shute Ln Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 2JJ.

    Priory Car Park, Bodmin PL31 2DQ.

    Fore Street Car Park, Bodmin PL31 2WY.               

    There is also On Street parking outside the building, when available, however spaces fill up quickly and have a maximum stay of 2 hours between 9am and 6pm.

    Physical access

    While there are steps at the front of the building, there is step-free access to the side, which brings you into the Cafe.

    There is a disabled toilet on the ground floor and a lift for access upstairs.

    If you have any concerns about access, please contact us at 01208 811185.

    Bodmin walking bus

    If you are able to walk, but may feel less confident doing this on your own, we are trialing a Bodmin walking bus during the summer of 2024. This is a way to build confidence, get more active and meet new people. We would like as many people as possible to get involved with this project. Find more information at https: //intobodmin.co.uk/the-walking-bus/.

    To find out more about what we are doing to be more sustainable, visit our page on sustainable swaps. We have also created a carbon footprint analysis which you can find by following this link. Finally, if you fancy some heavier reading you can find our environmental policies and action plans here.

    Written by Daisy Teague

  5. intoBodmin receives National Portfolio status and three-year funding from Arts Council England’s 2023-26 Investment Programme.

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    The team at intoBodmin are very grateful to be accepted as a client on Arts Council England’s National Portfolio. This means a great deal for Bodmin and the communities which we serve and we feel humbled for being recognised in this way for both our future projections and the work we have done to date.  As  an organisation with bold plans, this support, along with that of Cornwall Council, gives us the stability to continue work with our partners and further our ambitions across the next three years in investing in the creative health of the people of Bodmin.

    But what on earth is an NPO?

    Well, in its literal terms, it’s a National Portfolio Organisation, receiving regular funding (for three years) from Arts Council England. We’re one of 990 organisations nationally, including the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Battersea Arts Centre, and one of 9 organisations in Cornwall, including the Hall for Cornwall, Miracle Theatre and Newlyn Art Gallery. It’s an incredible achievement for intoBodmin to be accepted onto this prestigious list of arts organisations and will mean that our community work can continue. This includes our performance and events programme, creative and wellbeing activities in the community cafe, and community-led and co-created arts projects. We will receive £80k a year from ACE which contributes one third of the income we need to run intoBodmin, helping to pay staff, overheads and a creative projects budget.

    You won’t see any major changes, as the money we get is akin to that we’ve received annually for the last three years, but it does mean we don’t need to be reapplying and can therefore really invest our time into developing the way that we work and the people we work with.

    Whilst it’s great to be recognised in this way, we appreciate that other partners have not been successful, we understand the hard work that was invested in submitting to the scheme and we share concerns in rising costs and the difficulties we all face for the future.

    As a CIC, we will do all we can to support partner organisations and communities over the coming years, through our on-going free and subsidised food and creative offers to communities in need, the development of new engagement work with our communities and supporting artists in developing their practice in this way.

    So this is big news and we’re really proud and credit is due to all the amazing staff, artists and participants that meant we could clearly demonstrate the value that arts and culture can bring to building a strong and creative community.

    Fin

  7. intoBodmin recieve £250k toward The Old Library refurbishment project

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    intoBodmin is thrilled to announce that we have received a grant of £250k from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme. As part of their 2021-22 and 2022-23 grants, over £22.7million has been awarded to 66 cultural organisations across the country, including 6 cultural organisations in the South West who benefit from a share of £2,171,202. The Capital Investment Programme aims to help cultural organisations across the country transform their buildings and equipment so they can operate safely post-pandemic, improve access, seize technological opportunities, and reduce environmental impact. From Barrow-in-Furness to The Isles of Scilly, the organisations receiving funding share a vision to build a fit for the future cultural sector, which all members of their communities can access.

    The Old Library was opened in 1897 by John Passmore Edwards as a free library for the people of Bodmin. He built a legacy that championed social mobility by inspiring people through access to books and learning. In taking over this building when the library left, intoBodmin wanted to build on this legacy by creating opportunities for people to be inspired through access to arts and culture. This grant creates the opportunity for us to own the building and invest in improving its condition, its access and its visibility, helping intoBodmin to build a sustainable and inclusive resource for all.

    The grant is a part of a wider £600k project which will see us purchasing the building from Cornwall Council and a package of extensive refurbishements to the fabric of the building, including replacing windows, repointing, better insulation, rewiring and restoration of some of the historic features. The rest of the money will hopefully come from a range of other grants and the work will take place toward the end of the year and the start of 2023.

    Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said “World class creativity and culture needs a resilient and sustainable infrastructure toallow it to flourish. With these investments in the buildings, equipment, and digital systems of cultural organisations across England, we are helping to secure the future of that infrastructure, and making sure that people from every part of the country can continue enjoying all the benefits it delivers for years to come.”

  8. Sophie Moore’s ‘Cornish Swimmers’ Exhibition

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    We’re excited to be hosting an art exhibition by local artist Sophie Moore from 29th April to 10th June 2022. Sophie’s paintings and prints are emotive and tranquil expressions of wild sea swimmers. We had a chat to Sophie to find out more about what led her to being an artist:

    Tell us what inspires you to paint swimmers?

    Through my paintings, I like to create characters, with stories, in a certain place and time. Usually walking the coast or swimming in the ocean or relaxing by the sea.  The coast and ocean makes me feel a deep emotion, that I don’t feel in any other part of my life. From this feeling, you will see that most of my characters facial expressions are lost in the moment or full of certainty and defiance.

    What led you to becoming an artist?

    I have always been a creative person, at the age of 12 I distinctly remember deciding I wanted to be a fashion designer, and from that moment that was the path I went down. I grew up in Bodmin and went to Bodmin College, and then onto study art and design at Central Saint Martins, finally to study Fashion Atelier at University for the Creative Arts. From graduating, I worked on the design team at Ted Baker, but then made the decision to move back home to Cornwall to set up life with my now husband, who runs a surf school on the North Coast of Cornwall.

    What influences your style?

    On returning to Cornwall I picked up my paint brush again and began exploring my style. I began to realise that what I enjoy most about painting is that I can join all of my fragmented creative parts. Marrying my Cornish surroundings, with my love of fashion and my interest in people and their stories.

    I think my swimmers touch something in people because particularly over the past two years, many people have taken to the waters for different reasons, and found it a profoundly positive experience. For me the ocean is a very emotive element, and I try to emulate this through my swimmers. 

    Sophie is exhibiting a selection of original works and prints in The Old Library Cafe from 29th April to 10th June. The cafe is open Wednesday to Friday 10.30am to 2pm. The artwork is available to purchase. Pop in for a browse.

    To see more of Sophie’s work, please visit www.sophielizabethmoore.co.uk

  9. What’s it like volunteering at intoBodmin events?

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    We thought we’d ask some of our most dedicated supporters to say why they give their time, energy and enthusiasm into helping us deliver our programme to you.

    “Volunteering with intoBodmin has widened my social circle and enabled me to feel connected to our community. When volunteering you have a commitment, more so than buying a ticket, which helps get you out the door and energised to engage with your neighbours. Every aspect is fun, enlightening, inclusive and cheap. That ticks most of my boxes!”

    Rowan Baker

    “You get to be part of something that brings joy to peoples’ lives. You can’t beat that feeling.”

    Lynne Perry

    “I particularly enjoy front of house meeting and greeting but I’ve also been known to paint a window or two and serve at the bar. In fact, I’m happy to help with anything in return for the privilege of seeing wonderful shows, comedy, music and not to forget the wonderful sense of appreciation, belonging and friendship when I walk through the doors.”

    Marita Gubb