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Do Something For Nothing: Joshua Coombes Book Launch

4/6/2021

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One day, hairdresser Joshua Coombes decided not to walk past. He stopped and chatted with people experiencing homelessness, giving time just to listen. Another day, he took the tools of his trade with him and offered cuts to anyone that wanted them. That was the start of #DoSomethingForNothing.

Since 2015 Joshua has encouraged other people to see a problem and do something about it, and his influence has spread. The Instagram account @DoSomethingForNothing has over 59,000 followers. But it’s not just a # movement.

“There’s a kind of global network of people doing stuff at the grassroots level. Jade got involved early on in #DoSomethingForNothing, providing an opportunity to get involved in the same way. Jade messaged me, she’s a vet in north London. A lot of people on the streets have dogs and love them dearly. Jade started Street Vet UK, now with links all over the country.”

The movement has touched the lives of countless people, and changed Joshua’s direction as well. “I suppose for me, being an author was not something I set out to do. I thought, this is an important message and I knew it had to live longer than Instagram. It can be transient. I was not into English and writing at school and I’m really proud of the book.”
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He’s travelled the world promoting his message, telling the stories of those he meets. “When I first started, I’d write the captions for the Instagram posts. The words of the posts became important. I’d done this quite a bit, every day at times. I hadn’t written before but I guess I learnt that way. Sometimes I’d use people’s words, sometimes my own objective observations. When someone reached out to me about the book, I didn’t have to think too hard before saying yes.”

Joshua’s book Do Something for Nothing was released this week. It’s the stories of those he’s met “through the simple act of a haircut,” It’s another way that Joshua raises awareness of important issues.

“This week the eviction ban ended. Then you’ve got people that are still furloughed, and haven't got their jobs back. Hundreds of thousands of people could be given their eviction notice to leave their home. We can talk about prevention and talk about solutions. It’s all very well that the government talks about reducing the bill for homeslessness and funding for local councils. None of it means anything without prevention.”
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Joshua also highlights the short-comings of mental health support, even when economic and practical support is there. “If you’re in a transient, insecure place, you’re going to be experiencing acute mental stress. Having people there for you, having a support network - is lacking, especially in the UK. If you’re providing housing or job opportunities, but no support system, none of those things mean anything.”

These current and important topics should be the concern of everyone. It can seem difficult to know how to contribute to change yourself, but Joshua has some advice. “Write down those few things that don’t sit well with you. And write down your own skills. Connect things that you like doing and are good at with how to help. Remember your time is really important too. If you go and volunteer at a soup kitchen, or like when I go to Napier Barracks [with Jas and worldwidetribe] to meet people, I know I might cut a couple of people’s hair and some people might bring food. But ultimately just being there to hang out is the most important thing. You are important and your time is important.”

Joshua's message, of making small efforts towards positive change in the world around us, really is doable by everyone. Why not check in with your neighbours or search for local, grassroots organisations? 

Plenty of NGOs need remote help with social media or online tasks too. No Name Kitchen recently requested volunteers for 2 hours each week for their innovative voucher scheme in Bosnia.



To buy Joshua’s book go to bookstore.org and search for “Joshua Coombes Do Something for Nothing” from your local book shop. And to join the #DoSomethingForNothing movement check out Joshua on Instagram

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Sharkwater and Girls That Scuba

14/4/2019

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Film maker Rob Stewart died trying to change the world. He exposed the huge, illegal and brutal industry surrounding sharks. Shark finning (where the shark’s fins are removed before being dumped back in the water to die slowly) is a multi million dollar industry. Shark meat or cartilage is in a huge number of products without us realising, from canned fish to dog food and cosmetics. Rob’s activism, along with the first Sharkwater film led to 19 countries banning shark finning. Yet the practice still continues illegally.


I went to see Sharkwater Extinction with a bunch of strangers. Girls that Scuba is an online community for women who dive or would like to. It’s not only the place to get information about female dive kit and support from fellow female divers but founder Sarah Richard has created merchandise and a discount card scheme and GTS trips to world famous dive destinations. She also organised this London meet up.
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As a scuba diver and environmentally quite aware person I was shocked and surprised that not more of the information in the film Sharkwater Extinction is public knowledge. This powerful film, and the original Sharkwater released in 2006, highlights the complex and widespread nature of the problem. Illegal fishing and bycatch (when sharks or other creatures get caught in nets meant for other fish) are the more obvious problems. But I had no idea that the amount of sea pollution means that shark meat has toxic levels of murcury, and is fed to us in various hidden forms.


I left the film feeling pretty depressed, who wouldn’t? However, chatting with other members of GTS afterwards lifted my spirits. Not only because we shared travel experiences and dive stories, but because we all care. We care about the ocean, the environment, and about ensuring the next generation have something to dive for. And we also care about equal opportunities for women in the dive industry and encouraging girls and women to get certified and discover why we all love diving.


I often feel overwhelmed by the scale of all these problems, but what can I do about it? I can’t make a film and I’m not a marine biologist. We can all make small contributions. Here is a list of what you can do from the Sharkwater website. To make sure you’re not accidentally consuming shark, avoid fish products and non-plant based cosmetics (go vegan guys!) and talk to your friends about it. Rob made amazing progress, we have to continue it.


Have you seen the film? What did you think? What can we do?
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Thames Path Walk Directions

17/3/2019

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​Look at this enticing trail! Maybe it's the Forest of Dean. Or the a Cornish bridleway. Nope, it's London. If you enjoyed reading How to adventure in London for Intrepid, then here's a step-by-step guide to exploring my neighbourhood. And if you want company or a tour guide then just send me a message and I'll show you round...
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Start: Kew Bridge Station (District line and Overground)
Finish: Hammersmith Station (Piccadilly, District and Hammersmith and City)
Distance: 7 km/4.5 miles approx. 2 hours walking
Refreshments/toilets: No toilets at Kew Bridge but public toilets at Hammersmith. Numerous cafes and pubs near both stations. The Ship Pub near Chiswick Bridge and a couple of riverside pubs in Barnes.

Directions: 

Exit Kew Bridge station towards the river and take care crossing the busy South Circular Road. Grab a coffee and a pre-walk ‘safety wee’ at one of the cafe's or pubs near the station before heading across Kew Bridge. Turn left down a few steps and double back beside the bridge. Take the path next to the playground to join the Thames Path. Turn right and you’re on your way to Hammersmith with the water on your left.

As your feet crunch on the gravelly path, enjoy the little colourful houses and watch out for herons and cormorants on the river. If it's been wet you'll need to practice your puddle jumping skills on this stretch of the path. You’ll soon pass under a railway bridge before eventually coming to Chiswick Bridge. Just beyond The Ship Pub the path can become flooded when the tide is super high.

POSSIBLE DETOUR If you can’t continue ahead, then turn right up the road beside the pub and left to detour round this short section. Follow the road until The White Hart pub in Barnes where you’ll be able to join the Path again.


After Barnes Bridge you could explore Barnes. It's a quaint little village, with independent shops, cafes and pubs to visit.

After Barnes, the path quickly leaves the roadside and seems more secluded once again. Look out for rowers from one of the many boat houses, and you'll be able to see Chiswick Eyot (a tiny river island) nearer the far bank. Shortly after this Hammersmith Bridge will soon come into view. Leave the path directly before the bridge, up the slope, and cross over to the north bank. Turn left for a well-earned pint at the Blue Anchor pub before the short walk to one of Hammersmith's stations, where the bustle of busy London will contrast with the peace and quiet of your walk.

Still feeling energetic? Haven't seen enough pubs? You could walk back to Kew on the north side. It's very different over there - you'll walk past many more houses and marinas and leave the riverside at a couple of points (it's very well signed). Or continue to Putney Bridge - north of the river is again more built up and takes you via Fulham Football Club. South of the river, the path is gravelly until nearer to Putney. Don't worry, there are some pubs in Putney too!


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How to adventure in London

13/3/2019

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Read my contribution to the Intrepid Magazine blog here!
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Christmas Lights Tour: London 2018

17/11/2018

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DISCLOSURE! None of these photos are from this year, so as not to spoil the surprise.
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Ah Christmas. Just around the corner again. Well not really. It's the middle of November. But all the lights are on - I expect because the dark evenings and soggy weather are so miserable, we've got to have something to cheer us up. Anyway, want a free, festive and fitness-inspired activity? And want to take in all the best of London's lights in one go? Try my self-guided walking tour of central London to see the best of the bunch.

Stats
Distance: 2.5 miles
Start: Bond Street or Marble Arch Tube Stations
End: Covent Garden
Duration: Allow a minimum of an hour, more for a relaxed pace and even more for vital refreshment stops
Landmarks: Oxford Circus, Hamleys Toy Store, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, China Town, Seven Dials, Covent Garden
Refreshments: There are oodles of cafes, bars and pubs along the way. The Chandos pub and Coffee Island are recommended
Toilets: Public toilets are available in Trafalgar Square
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Oxford Street 
Take the tube to Bond Street (Central and Jubilee) or Marble Arch (Central Line) and exit onto Oxford Street to see this year's offering. From either station you'll be near Selfridges. Take a look at the window displays before heading East towards Oxford Circus.

Oxford Circus
This busy junction is a great place to see the overhead lights of Oxford Street and Regents Street in all directions. On your way you may even find the guy selling roasted chestnuts.

Regents Street
Turn right down Regents Street and peak in the window at Hamleys toy shop. Then retrace your steps and turn down Great Marlborough Street to pass by Liberty of London. This distinctive black and white building always has good displays. 

Carnaby Street
At the end of the Liberty building turn right into Carnaby Street. There's always a slightly offbeat theme to the Carnaby Street display! At the junction with Break Street turn right until you rejoin...

Regents Street (again)
Turn left back onto the buzzing shopping street and follow the road all the way to Piccadilly Circus. The usual bright lights here are joined by even more festive glows. Turn right down Haymarket, passing Her Majesty's Theatre and then left onto Pall Mall to emerge in the company of Lord Nelson.

Trafalgar Square
The Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square always used to be the biggest and best in the whole of London. Last year's was a little underwhelming - perhaps it was the minimalist look they were going for. Anyhow, no Christmasy visit is complete without giving it a look. If you need a refreshment break, try the Chandos pub on the corner of St Martin's Place. They'll have mulled wine or cider. 

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Leicester Square
Leave Trafalgar Square heading north, passing the church of St Martin-in-the-field's on your right, and the National Portrait Gallery on your left. Turn left into Irving Street and emerge in Leicester Square. Pass diagonally through the bustling walkways with the Odeon Cinema on your right. Sneak down Leicester Street, turn left onto Lisle Street, right onto Wardour Street and then immediately right into China Town.

China Town

The gates of China Town tower above you. Grab a lotus bun as you walk the length of this street before ultimately turning left onto Gerrard Place. Turning right onto Shaftesbury Avenue will quickly bring you to Cambridge Circus. This is a confusing junction. Head straight across, sticking to Staftesbury Avenue and then you want the second right, which is Earlham Street.

Seven Dials
Earlham Street
leads you to one of my favourite spots. Seven Dials is the meeting point of seven roads and is usually a surprisingly quiet spot given the noise around you. Is you need a caffeine break, head down Monmouth Street (first right) for Coffee Island. If you don't need a break, take Mercer Street (not the next road on the right but the next one). At the junction with Long Acre turn left, then the second right will take you past Covent Garden Station on James Street and you'll join the throngs in...

Covent Garden
Take time to wander around here. You'll see the Royal Opera House, St Paul's Church (known as the actor's church), and the best tree in the West End. Visit the stalls and shops of the Jubilee Market and enjoy the street performers with some more mulled wine. You've now seen the best of London's Christmas lights!
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If you're not tired of walking the streets and you still need some festive cheer then head to the South Bank Christmas market or Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Let me know how what you think of this year's lights. Comment below and share your pictures with me at www.facebook.com/hannahthetraveller or tag me on instagram @hannah_the_traveller
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    Hannah the traveller

    is a travel and lifestyle blog with focus on running, vegan eating and of course global travel.

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