Who are we?

Lewes people explain to Rob Hopkins, co-founder of the Transition movement, what being part of a transition town means to them.

Transition Town Lewes is a group of friends, neighbours and volunteers from across our community exploring creative and inspiring ways to move our town away from reliance on fossil fuels, manage the impacts of climate change and our use of precious natural resources.

Everyone in and around Lewes is welcome to join. Groups are formed as and when required to tackle different challenges. We have a steering group that meets monthly (online if required) to discuss what we’ve been doing and plan future projects – anyone is warmly invited to attend these meetings.

Since our launch in 2007, we have launched local projects around energy, food, money and lots more. Our aim is to create a community that lives and works in ways that are sustainable for our world and that can be resilient in the face of climate change. See what we’ve done here. [link to What we’ve been doing page]

There’s still lots to do – we’d love for you to join us. Get in contact at enquiries@transitiontownlewes.org.

Transition Network

Lewes is part of the pioneering Transition Network that began life in Totnes in Devon in 2006, aiming to find ways for communities to come together to find better ways to live in the face of climate change. Today, there are thousands of transition towns and projects in over 50 countries around the world. Learn more (including how to set up your own transition town) here.

Every transition town is run in the way that best suits its needs and resources, but here are some of the principles that all transition groups aim to observe. Read more here.

We respect resource limits and create resilience

The urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, greatly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make wise use of precious resources is at the forefront of everything we do.

We promote inclusivity & social justice

The most disadvantaged and powerless people in our societies are likely to be worst affected by climate change. We want to increase the chances of all groups in society to live well.

We pay attention to balance

In responding to urgent, global challenges, we can end up feeling stressed and closed rather than open, connected and creative. We create space for reflection, celebration and rest to balance the times when we’re busily getting things done.

We freely share ideas and power

Transition is a grassroots movement, where ideas can be taken up rapidly and effectively because each community takes ownership of the process. Transition looks different in different places and we want to encourage that diversity.

We collaborate & look for synergies

We have a greater impact together than we can as individuals. We will look to build creative & powerful partnerships across and beyond the Transition movement and develop a collaborative culture.

We foster positive visioning & creativity

Our primary focus is not on being against things, but on developing and promoting positive possibilities. We believe in using creative ways to engage and involve people, encouraging them to imagine the future they want to inhabit.

Read Transition Town Lewes’ own aims and principles here.

In Transition 2.0 – watch the movie