“The Sustainability Hub provides us a practical venue to bring both our community members and partners at the University together, and it’s also proven a very energising space where the synergy between our partners has resulted in some great collaborative outcomes.”
Alistair McPherson, CEO Plymouth Energy Community
As a creative and exploratory space, the Sustainability Hub is an apt venue for the Urban Dialogues monthly ‘Playground’ sessions. Facilitated by the Arts Institute and Centre for Sustainable Futures, the network embraces community engagement as an opportunity for students, staff and community to explore opportunities together. To date, the Urban Dialogues Network has helped to facilitate over 40 environmentally focussed projects across the City.
Trainee clinical psychologist Alice Walker, chose the Hub’s informal setting to host Plymouth Community Climate Conversations, inviting members of the public to share their emotional responses to the climate crisis. It provided a safe space for people to talk openly about their feelings and a forum for Alice to connect with the community on the topic.
Including a full communications suite, the venue provided the facilities required by Devon County Council’s Net Zero Carbon Taskforce to conduct two thematic hearings, gathering evidence for the county’s Carbon Plan. Livestreaming enabled the events to be broadcast via social media channels for wider public viewing and engagement.
Offering a welcoming and inclusive space, the Hub brings people together to connect, exchange knowledge and work collaboratively on shared sustainability goals. We are looking forward to the post-covid future where the space becomes a Hub for action across the University and action across Plymouth, Devon and the wider world.
