Green and Healthy Frome has launched a new website to inspire and support residents in making small changes for healthier, more sustainable living. Alongside this, the organisation is reflecting on the success of its 2024 initiatives, which showcased Frome’s community spirit through innovative projects tackling environmental and health challenges.
The website, built by Tall Hat Design and featuring illustrations by local artist Jenna Herman, aims to make it easier than ever for residents to access resources, get involved in projects and take steps towards healthier, more sustainable living.
With the launch of the new website, Green and Healthy Frome has been reflecting on how its innovative projects have been making a difference.
“From tackling fast fashion to nurturing waterways, reducing energy bills and championing sustainable transport, last year was packed with innovative initiatives that highlight Frome’s extraordinary community spirit and commitment to progress,” explained Green and Healthy Frome’s communications lead, Annabel Crooke.
Future Shed: A year of action and inspiration
Last year saw the Future Shed community leading the charge for greener living. Sue Palmer, Future Shed lead, mentioned the Frome Families for the Future’s River Vision project, which culminated in the River Festival 2024.
Annabel said, “With the weather playing ball, the town was united riverside with storytelling, music and stalls, where a collaboration of organisations connected in nature, united in their renewed commitment to protecting our town’s waterways. Watch out for this year’s River Festival 2025, as part of Great Big Green Week.”
The Everyone Needs Pockets initiative saw over 1,000 attendees across their 2024 events, saving 102 garments from landfill and hosting the highly successful Sustainable Fashion Week, which featured over 17 sold-out events and brought industry pioneers to Frome.
Sewing The Seeds’ flax-growing initiative transformed local plots into a celebration of sustainable textiles, while Back to Nature workshops connected over 130 women with traditional crafts and foraging skills, culminating in a joyful harvest feast.
Healthy Homes: Keeping Frome warm and healthy
The Healthy Homes team tirelessly supported residents in staying warm and healthy. The team’s Energy Advice sessions and home visits reached over 300 residents, providing practical support to access grants and implement simple, effective changes to keep homes warm, dry and comfortable.
“The home visits, in particular, have proved to be a vital resource for Frome residents. It’s incredibly rewarding to leave a home knowing we’ve made an immediate and positive difference,” says Jo Morris, Healthy Homes resilience officer.
Meanwhile, their newly launched Fairer Warmth online tool empowers households to save energy, access grants and improve home comfort.
Annabel said, “Healthy Homes demonstrates the importance of community care, focusing on one of the most essential foundations for health and happiness: our homes.”
Plastic Free. Period.: Empowering change
Last year, Plastic Free. Period. made waves by reducing plastic waste while improving access to sustainable period products. Creative fundraisers, window displays and a commissioned poem by Liv Torc brought awareness to the cause.
Community sustainability lead Charlotte Carson said her team’s key achievement was providing free period pant packs for all menstruators in Frome aged 12 to 14, alongside discounts for reusable and plastic-free period and incontinence products for all Frome residents.
Cycle Together: Building confidence and connection
Set up to encourage residents to explore the joy of cycling, the group rides cater to a wide range of abilities, starting from a gentle eight-mile loop to an adventurous 27-mile trip.
Emma Parker, Cycle Together lead, responded to growing demand by organising extra rides and new routes. She said, “Amongst the free e-bike loan, maintenance classes and cycle training classes, the Cycle Together group rides proved to be particularly popular.
“It was fantastic to see friendships blossom, confidence soar and many a cycling adventure born from these newly formed friendships. This truly embodies our ethos of bringing people together and inspiring them to cycle more often.”
One participant said, “What an awesome ride with a lovely positive group. Not going to forget that day!”
Choosing Wisely: Redefining sustainable healthcare
The Choosing Wisely team at Frome Medical Practice continued to set the standard for sustainable healthcare.
A hat-trick of national awards in 2024 recognised their groundbreaking work, including reducing inhaler-related emissions and saving 23 tonnes of CO2e since 2020.
Managing partner at Frome Medical Practice, Karen Creffield, said, “Delivering sustainable health care is about considering what is good for patients and good for the planet. To be recognised at such a high level nationally is something we are incredibly proud of.”
Green Connectors: A sustainable success story
The Frome-based Green Connectors team has been fostering community connections through staff engagement workshops, collaborations at the on-site café, community events and professional conferences – empowering members to integrate sustainability, health and environmental care into their daily lives.
Between workshops, the Green Connectors composted 1.3 tonnes of food waste. Team member Richard Podmore said, “Our compost has created a nutrient-rich compost that now nourishes the Staff Wellbeing Garden at Frome Medical Practice, creating a garden for us all to enjoy and homegrown organic produce for the practice’s café. This closed-loop system showcases the power of collaboration and care for both people and the planet.”
For more information about ways to get involved this year, visit Green and Healthy Frome’s new website at www.greenhealthyfrome.org or follow @ghfuturefrome.
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