PRESTON & SOUTH RIBBLE FAIRTRADE GROUP

 

About the Group

The Fairtrade group came into being just before Fairtrade Fortnight 2001. We aim to increase awareness of Fairtrade and encourage the use of fairly traded products. We have been active in the following ways:

• Awareness raising/education in churches, schools and other groups.
  We have prepared and circulated packs to churches and schools and have responded to invitations from them and from many other groups and individuals for information, talks, Fairtrade stalls and presentation of Fairtrade pledges. We organised a schools competition in March 2003 and March 2004. We also offer a Fairtrade pledge to groups.

• Awareness raising with specific bodies.
  We have had talks with various bodies including Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Purchasing Authority, Booths, Sainsbury's, Royal Preston Hospital, City Centre Management, Markets Management, Chamber of Trade, Preston Strategic Partnership, Preston Community Network, Voluntary Sector Organisation, University of Central Lancashire.

• We have organised events and activities during Fairtrade Fortnight each year, including hosting a banana farmer from the Windward Islands in March 2003 and 2 mango growers in March 2006.

• We have set up and maintain a well-used website (www.fairpreston.btinternet.co.uk)

• We conducted an audit and visitation of premises in Preston to find which outlets/cafes already use Fairtrade and to persuade others to do so. This information was the basis of the original Fairtrade Directory. Seeking to extend the number of premises and monitoring them is an ongoing process.

• We have written countless letters and emails to shops, wholesalers, companies and many other organisations to raise awareness of Fairtrade.
  
  
  We are always in need of more volunteers to get involved in Fairtrade.
  Please do contact us is you would like to help in any way.
  fairpreston@btinternet.com