Camdeners

The Eco Committee works tirelessly to raise the profile of the planet. They were formed during Torriano School’s STEAM learning on greening the grey in our community with projects on sustainable lighting in the school, rewilding the playgrounds, and improving air quality by working with the council to introduce bus lanes on the busy streets outside the school. 

The Eco Committee continues to lead on sustainable work within the school. They have already introduced Meat Free Mondays in a bid to cut down the school’s meat consumption. During COP26 the Eco Committee took this further and shared their learning with the whole school and also campaigned to introduce vegetarian menus throughout the week, challenging conceptions about diets in our schools. They have opened a food waste cafe in the playground kitchen with each year group sharing smoothies made from waste food and their garden produce. 

Their ambition this year is to support the school in becoming zero waste. In November, the Eco Committee voted to sign the Camden Climate Charter and they are now working on their action plan to take their work even further. 

Jeffrey Young is joined by the winners of the Camden Eco Champion Awards 2021 to discuss their achievements and work that has impressed the community and the panel of judges. In this inspiring episode, we hear about the range of ways an individual can positively impact the environment around them and the simple changes we can make to become eco-conscious citizens. 

Jeffrey Young is joined by Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for a sustainable Camden. They discuss the roles and responsibilities of a councillor and get an understanding of what is happening in Camden regarding sustainability targets. In this insightful episode, Adam shares his thoughts on the Borough of Camden and what he loves so much about it, what he would like to see change regarding sustainability, and what we can do to help.

Adam Harrison has been a Camden councillor since 2010, representing Bloomsbury ward. He has been cabinet member for a sustainable Camden since 2017, and heads up the council’s work on the environment, including air quality, carbon reduction, parks, trees, biodiversity, and transport. Camden was the first UK local authority to adopt World Health Organization air quality standards and the first to hold a Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Emergency. His ambition is for Camden and its active residents, community groups, businesses and third sector to do as much as we can to improve the environment.

Jeffrey Young is joined by Joel Hopkins, a film director and screenwriter best known for his films Jump Tomorrow, Last Chance Harvey, and Hampstead. They discuss his life, his works, and the story behind Hampstead, a film based on the life of Harry Hallowes who successfully claimed ownership of a half-acre plot of Hampstead Heath. The film stars Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson, James Norton, Lesley Manvilles, Jason Watkins, Hugh Skinner, and Simon Callow. In this insightful episode, Joel shares his thoughts on the industry, providing advice for young people hoping to succeed, and importantly, why he thinks Camden is such a special place.

The Director of galleries in central London and Miami, Rebecca Hossack was born in Melbourne in 1955. Following degrees in Law and in History of Art, Hossack studied at Christie’s and at The Guggenheim in Venice. She set up her own gallery in Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, in March 1988. From 1993-7, Hossack served as the Australian cultural attaché in London. Hossack was the first Conservative Councillor in Bloomsbury for over 20 years, during which time she ran the New York Marathon to raise £20,000 to plant trees in central London. She also writes regularly in the national press and lectures internationally on Aboriginal art. She has worked closely with the British Museum, the Barbican Centre, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Horniman Museum and the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Hossack also campaigns to preserve rock art in Western Australia’s Burrup peninsula. 

Jeffrey Young is joined by Sam Oldham, Venue Director of the Camden Roundhouse, who talks about her life and work in Camden, and the daily running of the iconic Roundhouse. They discuss the artists that have walked through the doors, the complexities of running a world-famous venue, the effect that COVID has had on the industry, and the reasons she loves working in the Borough of Camden. This fascinating episode explores the inside workings of the Roundhouse and the reasons it continues to attract world-famous artists. 

Sam Oldham is the Venue Director of Roundhouse, the world-famous Camden venue. She has worked in the arts, sporting, leisure and live music for over 20 years in both the UK and USA. Sam is also Chair of Camden Town Unlimited.

Jeffrey Young is joined by The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Sabrina Francis who talks about her life and journey to becoming Mayor as well as her plans for the year. They discuss how the Mayor aims to raise funds for the charity Gingerbread and also highlight the hard work Camden's hospitality industry and independent small businesses will be doing to recover from the impacts of Covid-19. This episode celebrates Camden and its wonderful people and businesses.

Jeffrey Young is joined by Harry George, owner of Hidden Coffee on Camden Road who talks about his life and work in Camden, and particularly his coffee shop, Hidden Coffee. They discuss how Harry supports the most vulnerable of groups, including people with disabilities, refugees, the homeless, and young offenders, through training and guidance at his coffee shop. This inspiring episode explores the good of the Camden people and spotlights Hidden Coffee as a business that does a lot more than just serve coffee.

Harry George is a social entrepreneur with a track record of building profitable businesses that deliver impact and outcomes for a variety of disadvantaged groups including people with disabilities, refugees, the homeless, and young offenders. He owns and operates Hidden Coffee on Camden Road, where many of these groups are supported.

As a Camden local with deep roots in the area, he is keen to engage with isolated communities within the Borough whilst using his network and business knowledge to reach traditionally disenfranchised groups. He is also a trustee of Voluntary Action Camden and volunteers with several other organisations across London.

Jeffrey Young is joined by Peter Murray OBE who talks about his life and work in Camden and London as an influential architect and Founder of New London Architecture. Peter shares his stories and experience of London in the 60s and 70s, and the changes he believes need to happen. This fascinating episode explores the important part cities must play as we move towards a more sustainable future, and how the past has an important role to play in this transition.

Jeffrey Young is joined by Jennie Matthias and Lawrence Speelman from Food For All. Jennie and Lawrence discuss the amazing work Food For All has done to feed the Camden community during the pandemic and about how it feels to win the Camden COVID Champions award. This inspiring episode reveals the goodwill of people in our community and moments of humanity during a difficult time for those most vulnerable.