The value of Skillshares in bringing communities together

Charlie Eddisford, Communities Lead at Resource Futures

Our free-to-attend Skillshare events have become a cornerstone of our calendar, uniting communities across the South West to celebrate and inspire sustainable action, resourcefulness and shared learning.

At their heart, Skillshares are about connection – bringing people together around shared places, interests, and a desire to make a difference – while helping to break down barriers to participation, introducing new minds and voices to the conversation and showing that sustainable, community-led action is something we can all be part of.

Skillshare days are a chance to pause, to come together in person, and remember that – no matter how daunting issues such as climate change, food waste and resource use may seem – local actions can make a real difference.

Featuring hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and creative sessions on local climate initiatives, these events foster connections, spark ideas, and allow participants to share knowledge for community action with likeminded people.

This year, we’ve expanded the reach of our Skillshares: in March, CAG Somerset hosted the first Somerset Skillshare at Victoria Park Community Centre in Bridgwater, while on Saturday 26th April East Devon will host its own Skillshare day at The Beehive in Honiton.

How does a Skillshare work?

Our Somerset Skillshare event featured a tech amnesty from our roaming Fixy van, as well as sessions from local charity On Your Bike, which taught basic bike repair skills (such as puncture repair) alongside accepting donations of unwanted bikes for its ‘Earn a Bike’ course widens access to cycling through practical skills and support.

Among several inspiring talks and workshops were a session focused on minimising food waste through resourcefulness in the kitchen, discussing strategies for community collaboration, conversations on reusable hygiene products, and a keynote talk from Jen Gale – author of Sustainable(ish), who recounted her family’s journey to adopt a ‘make do and mend’ lifestyle focused on conscious consumption.

The East Devon Skillshare will offer participants a choice of a visit to the Blackdown Hills Eco Hub or a creative climate workshop, followed by workshops on local climate action, community building through food, and promoting repair cafes and community-focused projects (the latter led by the CAG Devon team).

Promoting collaborative action in your community

Skillshares are a fantastic way to unite individuals with diverse passions and goals, creating a platform to inspire, learn, and collaborate on positive actions.

In addition to hosting our own events, our Communities team supports other organisations to plan and deliver their own skill sharing events. We act as facilitators, advisors (or both), helping partners to bring about impactful and community-focused outcomes through collaboration.

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Want to find out more about Skillshare and how it brings people together? Book your free ticket to our upcoming Skillshare in East Devon.