We put our 'money where our mouth is'
It started with 2B and others being vocal about NFM and SuDS at public meetings; now Amanda is a Trustee of a nationally registered charity, Slow The Flow - and Bill and Elizabeth run a second not-for-profit, West Wolds Slow The Flow.
The Queen's Award forVoluntary Service
Slow The Flow is multi-award-winning; including the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service ("the MBE for Volunteer Groups") - Amanda was chosen to go to Buckingham Palace!
2B projects withSlow The Flow
Retrofit Rain Garden Planters at Hebden Bridge Town Hall - a super community-run asset that was at the heart of the response after the Calderdale floods on Boxing Day 2015.
2B's take on the planters is here.
Advocacyand events
We've done plenty of public speaking, some events filmed; see the STF YouTube channel! Including:
- 'Slowing The Flow Together' video that plays at Hardcastle Crags NT Gibson Mill
- Webinars during Covid that were attended by 100's
- Showing various visitors, including MPs and Yorkshire Water, around the Hardcastle Crags NT scheme
- A 'Slowing The Flow in Towns' roadshow SuDS event
2B projects withSlow The Flow
'You Can Slow The Flow' was an early piece of work that has stood the test of time. The graphics and text created by 2B engages with and inspires people to use SuDS and NFM on their own patch, to help alleviate flooding for their downstream neighbours.
AwardWinning
Slow The Flow has won a number of local, and industry awards. We're particularly proud of the Susdrain 'SuDS Champion' award, which recognised Bill, Elizabeth and Amanda's work for both Slow The Flow and West Wolds Slow The Flow.
Politicalengagement
Slow The Flow has been to Parliament twice, engaging MPs on nature-based solutions to flooding.
Amanda took part in a video aimed at politicians, with messages including redressing the funding balance for NFM - there has since been a new funding model announced.
West WoldsSlow The Flow
WWSTF is a funded project, looking at NFM measures within a chalk catchment of the East Yorkshire Wolds.
It has promoted education, data recording and implementation of projects across the catchment, as well as working with STF to produce a handy 'Intro to NFM Techniques'.
WWSTF andEmma Hardy MP
West Wolds Slow The Flow hosted (the then Shadow) Flooding Minister Emma Hardy on a site visit.
We would like to think that, in a small way, this influenced the recent move from DEFRA to rebalance funding towards NFM.
What can you do?Tell a teacher!
Tell your local school teachers about free to download, teacher-written, curriculum-aligned KS2 and KS3 resources
What can you do?Donate to STF!
Looking for a charity to send your Christmas card money to? Look no further! You can send a one-off donation to help Slow The Flow's work, via LocalGiving.
They have also recently joined EasyFundraising.
What can you do?Call 2B!
Include NFM and SuDS in every project.
Give us a call or email, or if you're not ready for that, follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.