Our Mission

Our mission is to provide carefully researched and qualified, information and advice, to all members of the community on matters that influence the future of our planet, locally, nationally and globally.

The essence of our work is to enable you to develop your relationship with the planet. We believe this begins with a peaceful and respectful relationship with yourself and with others. In our work, we are, at all times, in everything we do, mindful of our impact on the planet.

Why we do it

The idea for the Green Centre evolved from The Green Workshop, a mobile teaching unit offering environmental education throughout Sussex. The workshop appeared on the streets of Brighton and Hove, at farmers' markets, fairs, festivals, schools and businesses. Through engagement with the local community, several themes emerged;

  • a desire to gain a greater understanding of global warming and climate change
  • a willingness to participate in activities which tackle global warming and climate change
  • a need for greater awareness of existing reduce/reuse/recycle opportunities

Our History

Broken Paste Table

It all started with a broken paste table found at Poynings boot sale. Green Centre Creative Director, Melanie Rees, recovered and repaired it. A former Special Needs Head Teacher she took to the streets of Brighton & Hove and set up class! The subject - Global Warming and Climate Change.

2005

Donated Car

Christened The Green Workshop, regular appearances at George St Farmers market in Hove led to a flurry of invitations; schools, businesses, fairs and festivals including Shoreham Beach Dreams, Brighton Science Festival, BBC Springwatch, Dorothy Stringer Environmental Fayre, Brighton Pride, etc. Without our donated car, attending these would not have been possible.

2007

Permanent Digs

"Where can we come and see you?" This was to become a regular question from the general public. Followed by,"You need a permanent site."

We set about researching this option. We believed visibility to be a key issue so we looked at central locations including the Laines in Brighton and George Street in Hove. Rents, rates, utilities would cost approximately £30,000 a year. In real terms that would mean finding £577 a week! As an education project this level of fund raising was not achievable.

2008

Mobile Library? Double Decker?

A volunteer suggested we purchase a mobile library and convert it. We thought this a splendid idea and contacted the council who in turn suggested acquiring a bus to convert. We contacted Tom Druitt, Director of The Big Lemon, "So where does one purchase a bus Tom?" Not only did we discover where to purchase a bus but we also discovered we can purchase two decks for the same price as one! What a conundrum! You can purchase a 2nd hand double decker for as little as £4,000 however a good conversion will cost £20,000. According to my Maths that's £24,000, which is nearly as expensive as permanent digs!

2008

The Green Centre at 39 Manor Hill

You wait for ages... then two come along at once! While taking a break from the search for premises or a bus, two came along at once; a fantastic bus and a fantastic premises. We decided to pursue both with equal energy and leave it in the lap of the Gods believing that which ever one worked out best was the one we were destined to have. Finally, The Green Centre opened at 39 Manor Hill, Whitehawk. It took 2 years 7 months from paste table to premises. And so began a new and exciting journey...

2009

The Green Centre leaves East Brighton

Thanks to the support of our fantastic landlords the East Brighton Trust we enjoyed 8 very successful years at 39 Manor Hill. Sadly we learned in October 2016 that we had to leave Manor Hill as the building needed EXTENSIVE repairs.

We were supported with great enthusiasm and generosity by the East Brighton community who shared their ideas, their unwanted possessions and their love and friendship. Their kindness allowed us to create a successful project which attracted visitors from far and wide and helped us re-use and recycle 150 tonnes of "waste" destined for landfill and incineration. Thank you.

2017

The Green Centre at Brighton Open Market

After searching for alternative premises for 6 months we faced homlesssness and the end of our project but then the Universe sent us some angels! Firstly, Cat Fletcher of Freegle helped us out with some storage. Next Josie Pearl Jeffrey from the Foodshed Co-op at Brighton Open Market invited us to view a unit at the market. This didn't work out instead we ended up with a stall BECAUSE . . .

2017

We bought a double decker bus!

In May 2017 we bought a double decker bus which we are currently converting. Downstairs will house a One Planet Living exhibition and upstairs will provide a space to meet, share ideas, deliver workshops, etc. We're co-habiting with the Big Lemon.

2017