You're invited! Member Meet-ups, Autumn 2022
We’re delighted to invite you to our Member Meet-ups taking place at unique venues across the UK and online this autumn. Ecology is owned by you, so it is essential that we know what you think about our work – what are we getting right and where can we do better?
These events are an opportunity for you to hear Gareth Griffiths, our new Chief Executive, share his vision for Ecology’s future and ask the Directors your questions. You’ll be able to voice your views in a relaxed setting and meet other Ecology members. There will also be talks from some of our members who are involved in inspirational projects to build greener homes and communities.
We’ve carefully selected our four venues in Bristol, London, Leeds and Edinburgh to enable as many members as possible to attend whilst ensuring that the events are accessible via public transport. For those unable to attend in person or who would prefer to attend online, we will also be holding an online event via Zoom.
Find out more about each event and how to register your free place below. We hope that you can join us at an event this autumn and we look forward to exploring ideas about your Society’s future.
Bristol, Monday 17 October
The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Spike Island, Bristol, BS1 6XN
About the venue
Create is a vibrant environment centre featuring a purpose-built ‘Ecohome’ full of practical ideas for greener living. Committed to Fairtrade principles, the centre has won multiple awards for its purpose-led approach.
Accessibility: All public areas of the building are accessible to disabled users and an induction loop is available.
How to get there
Train: Temple Meads Railway Station is two miles from Create. Cycle parking is available inside and outside the venue.
Bus: First Bus operates several services that stop nearby; visit firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west to plan your journey. Out-of-town bus services run regularly from Broadmead bus station.
Car: Long Ashton and Portway Park and Ride services stop nearby on Hotwells Road. There are five accessible bays for blue badge holders in the adjacent car park.
Schedule and speakers
Schedule and speakers
Registration and refreshments
Welcome and introductions
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive
Louise Pryor, Chair, Ecology Building Society
Introduction to The Create Centre
Create Centre representative, The Create Centre
Sustainable lending in practice
Hear from Co-Housing Bristol, an Ecology-backed project providing affordable, low-carbon homes with shared communal resources to locals.
Zoe Nicola Goodman and Jawahar de Sousa, Directors, Co-Housing Bristol
Comfort break
Building our sustainable future
Gareth and Louise share their thoughts on how we can accelerate and grow our commitment to sustainability. Includes Q&A.
Closing remarks
Close
Speakers
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive
Louise Pryor, Chair
Jawahar de Sousa, Co-Housing Bristol
Zoe Goodman, Co-Housing Bristol
London, Tuesday 18 October
Neal Street Espresso, 34 Neal Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9PS
About the venue
Neal Street Espresso is a speciality coffee shop providing employment for women, men and young people leaving prison. Every trainee has a full‑time job that pays London living wage, accredited training, mentoring and the support they need to turn their life around.
Accessibility: The coffee shop and the meeting space are wheelchair accessible with staff on hand to help should assistance be needed.
How to get there
Train/Tube: A five-minute walk from Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square stations. There are places to secure bikes along Neal Street.
Bus: There are multiple bus routes that stop within a few minutes’ walk of Neal Street. Plan your journey at tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey.
Car: There are several pay and display car parks nearby including locations on Shelton Street and Parker Mews.
Schedule and speakers
Schedule and speakers
Registration and refreshments
Welcome and introductions
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive
Louise Pryor, Chair, Ecology Building Society
Introduction to Neal Street Espresso
Ruth McBryan, Prison Resettlement and Outreach Manager, Neal Street Espresso
Sustainable lending in practice
Hear all about Ecology-backed projects St. Clements and Citizens House, offering affordable housing in London.
Oliver Bulleid, Director, London CLT
Comfort break
Building our sustainable future
Gareth and Louise share their thoughts on how we can accelerate and grow our commitment to sustainability. Includes Q&A.
Closing remarks
Close
Speakers
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive
Louise Pryor, Chair
Chris Newman, Ecology Director
Ruth McBryan, Neal St Espresso
Oliver Bulleid, London CLT
Leeds, Tuesday 1 November
The Leeds Library, 18 Commercial Street, Leeds, LS1 6AL
About the venue
The Leeds Library is the oldest surviving subscription library of its kind in the British Isles. One of Leeds’ most iconic cultural institutions, it is a thriving hub of creativity, ideas and inspiration. An Ecology loan is enabling The Leeds Library to expand, securing its future and uniting its collection of over 140,000 books.
Accessibility: A stair lift is available for visitors and staff are on hand to assist. As the library is within a Grade II listed building, there are some constraints on accessibility adaptations. For more information, visit theleedslibrary.org.uk/access-statement.
How to get there
Train: A six-minute walk or two-minute cycle from Leeds Railway Station, which is served by trains from across the country. There are cycle stands on the pedestrianised streets around the library.
Bus: There are bus stops within a few minutes’ walk, situated on nearby Boar Lane, Vicar Lane and Park Row. To plan your journey, visit firstbus.co.uk/leeds.
Car: Leeds has a Park and Ride service operating from locations around the city. Pay and display parking is available within a 10-minute walk.
Schedule and speakers
Registration and refreshments
Welcome and introductions
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive Louise Pryor, Chair, Ecology Building SocietySustainable lending in practice
Carl Hutton, CEO, and Mary Ealden, Deputy CEO, The Leeds Library Bill Phelps, Founder member, Chapeltown CohousingComfort break
Building our sustainable future
Gareth and Louise share their thoughts on how we can accelerate and grow our commitment to sustainability. Includes Q&A.Closing remarks
Close
Speakers
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive
Louise Pryor, Chair
Andrew Gold, Director
Mary Ealden, The Leeds Library
Carl Hutton, The Leeds Library
Bill Phelps, Chapeltown Cohousing
Edinburgh, Tuesday 8 November
Grassmarket Centre, 86 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1 2QA
About the venue
The Grassmarket Centre is home to the Grassmarket Community Project. Through social enterprise, mentoring and education, the project creates opportunities for those who might otherwise experience difficulties in accessing education and employment. The centre has won multiple awards for its architecture and community work.
Accessibility: All floors are accessible by lift with staff on hand to help. There are accessible toilets on site.
How to get there
Train/Tram: Within a 15-minute walk of Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station and Princes Street tram stop. There is a bicycle park at the Grassmarket.
Bus: There are multiple bus stops within a few minutes’ walk. Find routes at lothianbuses.com.
Car: There are park and ride services around the city; visit edinburgh.gov.uk/parkandride. Pay and display parking is located nearby.
Schedule and speakers
Schedule and speakers
Registration and refreshments
Welcome and introductions
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive
Welcome to The Grassmarket Centre
Jonny Kinross, CEO, Grassmarket Community Project
Sustainable lending in practice
Peter Allen, Head of Assets and Sustainability, The Ethical Property Company PLC
Hugh Ross, Development Officer, Staffin Community Trust
Ronnie MacRae, CEO, Communities Housing Trust (CHT)
Break
Building our sustainable future
Gareth shares his thoughts on how we can accelerate and grow our commitment to sustainability. Includes Q&A.
Closing remarks
Close
Speakers
Online, Thursday 10 November
Online meeting
About the venue
For members who are not able to attend a meet-up in person or would prefer to attend online, we are holding an online meet-up.
How to register your place
The easiest and quickest way to register is by following the link to our EventBrite page and selecting the 'Online Member Meet-up' from the list of events.
If you are unable to register online, please contact us on 01535 650 770.
Schedule and Speakers
Welcome and introductions
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive, and Louise Pryor, Chair, Ecology Building SocietySustainable lending in practice
Bill Phelps, founding member, Chapeltown Cohousing. Jeremy Kidwell, Ecology borrowerBuilding our sustainable future
Gareth and Louise share their thoughts on how we can accelerate and grow our commitment to sustainability. Includes Q&A.Closing remarks
Close
Speakers
Gareth Griffiths, Chief Executive
Louise Pryor, Chair
Tim Morgan, Director
Andrew Gold, Director
Jeremy Kidwell,
Ecology borrower
Bill Phelps, Chapeltown Cohousing
