SUSTAINABLE OVERTON IS A COMMUNITY MOVEMENT
SO is in the process of becoming a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). It is led by a group of Overton people who are here to inspire you to actively take part in our local sustainability projects. Our team always has space for one more too. Get in touch if YOU would like to be the next member of our team. We currently need a secretary, but equally if you have a way with social media, we need you too!
STRATEGY TEAM
THE HISTORY OF SO
Sustainable Overton was set up in 2019, after our chair, Laura Harrison asked the Parish Council to declare a Climate Emergency and make sustainability a priority for Overton. A working party was created and SO soon had enough volunteers that we could split into project teams and start to take action. Over the last 5 years we have launched a number of successful projects, including a reusable nappy library, a Repair Cafe, a reusable cup scheme and returnable bag scheme unique to our village, established a wildlife haven at Overton Hill, held countless events and spoken to hundreds of people.
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Since then, we have grown and are now independent from the Parish Council, soon to be a CIO. However, we still work very closely with the Parish Council, and are very grateful for their ongoing funding of our work. We also work collaboratively with Basingstoke & Deane Council, taking part in their Basingstoke Area Sustainability forum to build connections with other groups throughout Hampshire such as Eco Oakley and Wilder Bramley.
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Before Sustainable Overton, 2 of our founding volunteers created Plastic Free Overton, becoming one of the first places in Hampshire to achieve Plastic Free status. This group has continued as an independent group to enable us to work more closely with local businesses than the Parish Council is able to, although the team overlaps greatly with Sustainable Overton.
Every 2 months we hold a public meeting at the Community Centre, and anyone is welcome to come along, find out more about what we do, and how you might get involved. Dates for this are on the Calendar linked below. Key to our success is the passion, skills and dedication of our volunteers - people just like you who live in Overton.