Clothing Swap for Earth Day

GWS x Marble Ldn hosted the clothing swap for Earth Day.

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than giving a second chance to preloved items (bags, shoes, and accessories).

The event took place two days (April 19th, and April 20th) from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Studio holders had the chance to bring their clothes at our building, where everything was arranged in rails and boxes. On the date of the event, studio holders had the chance to get every item they wanted for free. All the remaining stock will be donated to a Charity Fundraiser.

We organised this event to make sure our studio holders refresh their wardrobe while saving the planet. Studio holders also had the chance to donate money which we donated to Women’s Aid.

By organising this event, we managed to save 165 clothing items, and raise a symbolic amount of money for Women’s Aid. Thank you to everyone who was part of it. Together for Earth!

A special thank you to our studio holder Akta Photography for capturing these special moments.

Facts:

• Every year the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic metres of water — enough to meet the consumption needs of 5 million people
• Buying one new white cotton shirt produces the same emissions as driving a car for 35 miles
• It takes 3,781 litres of water to make a pair of jeans, from the production of the cotton to the delivery of the final product to the store. That is equal to the emission of around 33.4 kilograms of CO2 equivalent
• Of the total fibre input used for clothing, 87 % is incinerated or disposed of in a landfill. Each week 11 million garments end up in landfill in the UK
• Every year a half a million tonnes of plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. These microplastics end up in our food because they can’t be extracted from water
• More than 2 tonnes of clothing are bought each minute in the UK
• The average adult spends £27 a month in fast fashion outlets and currently owns 2 items which remain unworn

Lifetime wealth planning with Channing-Williams Wealth Management

19 January 2023, from 9am to 7pm at GWS

Great Western Studios organised the private lifetime wealth planning workshop for all the studio holders with Charlie Channing-Williams.

Charlie Channing-Williams is a lifetime wealth planner, who speaks with individuals, families
and business owners. Firstly listening to what their goals and aspirations are in life. His job is then to help them understand and organise their finances in a way that work towards whatever is most important for them.

He wants people to be able to live or act in a way that is most meaningful to them, and that is
different for each of us. To do so, it can involve knowing how best to plan and save for the future, protect their income and lifestyle or build towards a particular goal (business expansion/house/kid’s education etc).

Channing-Williams Wealth Management is a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place, one of the
UK’s largest wealth management and financial advice companies, and provides a professional,
friendly and entirely personal service. Charlie’s comprehensive and completely bespoke financial advice can include: investment planning, pension planning, tax planning, and protection planning.

The first consultation for our studio holders with Charlie was without obligation, and he was able to explain what the advice journey looks like, and answer any questions they had. He understands the many priorities that business owners have to manage, and wants to work with them over the long term, providing ongoing advice to make sure their plans stay on track as circumstances evolve over time.

Want to know more?

• Website of Channing-Williams Wealth Management: www.channing-williamswealth.co.uk
• St. James’s Place website is here: www.sjp.co.uk

Channing-Williams Wealth Management is an Appointed Representative of and represents
only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth
management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website
www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

SJP Approved 15/12/2022

Bicycle MOT service at GWS

David from Cyclic Nature offered a full bicycle MOT service along with helpful advice on maintaining bikes, to our studio holders.

David has over 9 years of experience and beside many qualifications, his main accolade is his love of the bicycle.

This is the first of many good things to come this autumn at GWS.

Free portraits
22nd & 23rd November

Specialist creative portrait photographers Akta (studio 210) are setting up a portrait photography pop-up in studio 33 and would love to invite Great Western studio holders for a free 1-1 portrait photo shoot.

Sessions will take place in studio 33 and will last 12 minutes. Everyone will be sent a same-day online gallery link to choose their favourite image, which Akta will then add their editing and retouching magic – for free!

To book your slot simply send an email to info@aktaphotography.com. Slots will be awarded on a first come first serve basis.

The After Work Social! Thursday 5th May, 6pm

On the 5th of May, studio holders joined us at the Feeding House Cafe for after-work drinks. Making use of our courtyard, they had the chance to network with each other, enjoying an evening of good company, delicious snacks and great refreshments!

Christmas at Great Western Studios

Christmas is finally here after all! We would like to invite our Studio holders to the Great Western Studios Christmas get together on Wednesday 15^th December 12pm – 2pm in the atrium.

We will be getting in the festive spirit with a delightful array of Christmas canapes, warming mulled wine and some classic Christmas hits!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Wellness: Online Meditation Course with Debi

The IAM20 – (Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique®) is a non-religious meditation technique that consists of body, mindfulness, breathing and visualisation exercises. Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma) developed this form of meditation to help integrate the mind, body and spirit. It helps reduce anxiety and build resilience, promoting peace, relaxation and happiness.

The aim is that everyone – regardless of experience – can meditate independently for about 20 minutes.

All you need is a cushion and space to lie down with arms outstretched.

The course is live on Zoom – a total of 3 hours divided into 2 sessions of 90 mins each. Teachers offer their time voluntarily, we only ask for a commitment to a personal practice for 21 days (completed on your own) and are extremely grateful for any donations to our UN registered charity.

Debi Ani (Studio 6) has practised IAM for almost 17 years and shares the teaching because its benefits in both her creative and personal life are unquantifiable.

Please contact Debi for more info: debi@orodesign.co.uk

One Great Day
Charity Bake Sale at GWS
Friday 6th March

One Great Day is an opportunity to raise money for charity and have a great day doing it. Communities from across the UK will be coming together in a day of fundraising and fun – and so will GWS!

On Friday the 6th March Great Western Studios will be hosting a Bake Sale in reception!

Please bring some change with you on the day to purchase some delicious confectionery, all proceeds will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Let us know if you like to get involved and provide some treats, these can be homemade or store bought (we’re not fussy!)

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