In early 2022, one of the proposed projects for CAP was the development of a Climate Emergency Centre to provide a physical space for the people of Preston to meet and tackle the current climate and nature emergencies through local, community-based action and solutions. 

The vision for the CEC is to do this by providing a space focused on education and engagement within the wider community on the global crises we face – namely ecological destruction, racial inequality, poverty and climate breakdown – and the driving factors that link these problems.  Through community learning, engagement, and collaboration, we hope to develop and platform solutions for individuals, organisations, and businesses to reach net zero emissions.  We aim to lead by example in the battle against the climate crisis, whilst building our communities’ adaptation and resilience to the threat of global crises. 

The centre opened in August 2022 at 32 Cheapside, Preston in a central location near the Flagmarket.

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Although consistent funding for the centre continues to be sought through business planning and grant applications, many community climate action activities have been held there, such as CAP meetings, bike repair workshops and a celebration evening with Preston Pedals, Community Energy Preston meetings, a food preserving evening, talks by experts in sustainability and a Cost of Living and Climate crisis film showing with Preston Greenpeace Local Group.

Preston CEC is also open from 10am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for all to drop in. Through the provision of information and signposting we hope to be able to help you on your journey towards more sustainable living and action on climate change.

How you can get involved

The CEC is dependent on volunteers to run and we are on the lookout for more people who could help out. With a bigger team of volunteers we could reach a larger “audience” and spread the message more widely about climate change and what we need to do about it.

If you care about our world that’s in crisis, and think you have any spare time to give, please contact Deb at cec@climateactionpreston.org to get involved! Everyone has something to offer, whether it’s IT skills, practical DIY/sewing/cooking/gardening/creative skills, contacts with other environmental organisations/projects or just being a friendly face to welcome people to the centre and listen to their worries about the climate and ideas about what can be done.

So much can be achieved when people get together – and the CEC is a place where this can happen!

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Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/798615344393208 for more information and join the conversation!