A day of events at SDS focusing on nourishing exchange in times of climate crisis.
After a summer of extreme temperatures and drought, the climate crisis is a topic that can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Our eco-resourcing day invites our local neighbours and wider artistic communities to connect, hope and learn with others through sharing knowledge and resources.
The day will begin with a Mindful Autumnal Walk in the areas surrounding Siobhan Davies Studios, led by Maymana of Fungi Futures. We often talk about climate change in terms of big, distant systems, but reconnecting with the landscape all around us like our streets and green spaces can be a gentle way back into caring for it together as neighbours. This walk is a small, grounded space to do just that.
In the early afternoon, there will be a Courtyard Clothing Swap where you’ll be able to bring clothing items you no longer wear and trade them for items that other people have brought.
Later on in the afternoon, we will screen The People’s Emergency Briefing, a powerful new film with leading UK scientists explaining the climate & nature crisis and what it means for food, health, weather and the cost of living.
After the film there will be space for discussion and to share reflections about what it means for communities adjacent to SDS including our artistic and local communities, and what action can be taken locally to affect global change.
Throughout the day, we’ll have free coffee, tea, biscuits, and a reasonably priced bar & snack shop for the screening sourced from small, sustainable and ethical suppliers. If you’re new to our organisation, this is also a great opportunity to come and meet us and find out more about what we do here. Come for one event or stay for the whole day!
Walk: Meet in our courtyard
Clothing Swap: in the courtyard
Film screening: Research studio
Tickets
All events are free but there is the option to donate when booking should you wish.
All ages welcome
Walk: 10:30-11:30
Clothing Swap: 11:00-14:00
Film Screening: 14:30-15:20
Discussion: 15:30-16:00
10:30-11:30 Mindful Autumnal Walk with Fungi Futures
Join Maymana (fungi.futures) for a slow, mindful walk around Siobhan Davies Studios, an invitation to pause and be present with Autumn as it unfolds.
We often talk about climate change in terms of big, distant systems, but reconnecting with the landscape all around us like our streets and green spaces can be a gentle way back into caring for it together as neighbours. This walk is a small, grounded space to do just that.
Together we’ll take time to simply notice and let that noticing be its own kind of practice. Along the way, Maymana will share some reflections on what we’re seeing and use it as a starting point for bigger themes like decomposition and composting as quiet forms of transformation and what it might mean to rest and slow down as the natural world does.
ABOUT MAYMANA & FUNGI FUTURES
Maymana Arefin is a London-based community organiser, artist-activist and writer exploring radical futures through fungi. In 2020, she founded Fungi Futures, offering nature immersions, plant-fungi walks and spaces for deep rest, healing and reconnection with non-human kin.
Follow Maymana Arefin on Instagram @fungi.futures
11:00-14:00 COURTYARD CLOTHING SWAP
Update your Autumn wardrobe in a free and eco-friendly way with our Courtyard Clothing Swap in our Courtyard and ground floor spaces. You do not need to bring anything in order to take part BUT if you have any clothing items that are in good condition and crying out for a new owner then please bring and add to the pile of things to swap! Feel free to bring clothes of any size and for any age. Take your time to rummage through and take anything you like away with you. This is a totally free event: no entry fee, no selling and no need to bring clothing rails or hangers – we will provide a system for exchanging items.
Items that are leftover at the end of the event will be donated to two charities that support refugees: Care4Calais & Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers.
**This event is for clothes only, not for swapping other types of items. Please only bring: Good quality clean clothing (adult’s & children’s, any gender, any size), paired good quality shoes, clothing accessories such as bags and belts. Do not bring: Dirty, wet, ripped or damaged clothing, single shoes, or any other types of items ex. household items, furniture, bedding, books, jewellery, food, toiletries, etc.**
14:30-16:00 film screening + discussion: People’s emergency briefing
Join us for a special community screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing – an eye-opening film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence concerning extreme weather, food security, health & cost of living and why it matters.
The film is based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster (featured by ITV, Channel 4 and The Times) with appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, and a range of voices from across the UK.
After the film there will be space for discussion and to share reflections about what it means for communities adjacent to SDS including our artistic and local communities, and what action can be taken locally to affect global change.
Recommended age guidance 16+ at your own discretion.
Bring a friend, neighbour or family member: everyone is welcome.
Note: the film is only being shown at in-person screenings and is not available online.
ACCESS AND AMENITIES AT SDS
Siobhan Davies Studios is mostly accessible, with lifts to all floors. There are two accessible parking spaces available on site which can be booked in advance. Blue Badge parking is also available nearby on West Square and Garden Row (for a full map visit the Southwark Council website). Our main door is power assisted.
Amenities include:
- Changing facilities*
- Communal showers*
- Toilets / wheelchair accessible toilets
- Kitchen: tea and coffee making, fridge, and microwave
- Snack Bar: We have a small selection of bars, drinks and food available to buy from the front desk.
- Shops: The closest shop is Superway Supermarket on Garden Row (4 min walk), the closest supermarket is Sainsbury’s on New Kent Road (7 min walk). We also recommend the Art Cafe which serves sandwiches, jacket potatoes and meals (3 min walk).
* Our changing facilities and showers are not fully accessible. Our closest publicly available and fully accessible changing facility is at The Castle Centre, a leisure centre 0.3 miles away from the studios. You can find full details of their features here.