As part of the nationwide series of events for Green Careers Week (7-12th November), Varndean College hosted Claire Potter from Claire Potter Design on the Circular Economy on the 9th November. She was joined by her colleague Clare Harris. They provided an interesting and informative talk to include an overview of what the Circular Economy is, and the different opportunities that are present not only in the green sector but in a variety of other sectors.
They provided details into the role that design plays in the circular economy, with a focus on some examples of how green pathways can be shown through product design and discuss entry into suitable careers that students would not have considered. The talk provided an opportunity for the college to help create students who are well versed in the circular economy and how that can be applied in product/3D design as well as service design and behaviour change amongst other examples. 
Crucial information was given on the types of jobs that students find in some areas finishing with examples of Sussex University alumni who are all working in the Circular Economy in large multinational companies such as Dyson® and Lego®. Both Claire Potter and Clare Harris are based at Sussex University in the School of Engineering, Informatics and Design; Claire Potter is a Senior Lecturer and Course Convenor for Product Design and Clare Harris is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Creativity and Design based in Engineering and Design.
Green Careers Week is supported by STEM UK, The Royal Society and the Met Office.
We are officially a Carbon Literate Organisation!
In September 2022, Varndean College was awarded the Bronze status as a Carbon Literate Organisation. This accreditation is the visible ‘badge’ that shows we are both committed to Carbon Literacy and serious about maintaining our low carbon culture. We are incredibly proud of this achievement.
A Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) is an organisation that has been accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project as having a substantial commitment to Carbon Literacy. This accreditation supports the development (in addition to the recruitment and retention) of a Carbon Literate workforce and requires an organisation to engage positively with its audience or community in developing and delivering low carbon
behaviour.
This follows the successful completion and subsequent implementation of the Carbon Literacy Qualification, a course which has been offered as a pilot scheme across Sussex colleges, with Varndean being one of the first in the country to offer this course. Achieving the Bronze CLO status is an important milestone for the college especially in light of the impending developments under the Masterplan.
The proposals within the plan seeks to improve the 
current college campus with works that ensure energy efficient buildings with a low carbon footprint in addition to the implementation of the college-wide sustainability projects such as the ecology garden.
Yaso Shan’s free talk at Vinings – Is HRT safe?
Yaso Shan, our resident medical herbalist kick-started our clinic’s Autumn series of talks on holistic health and well-being. Her incredibly popular discussion on whether HRT is safe was presented in an informative and evidence-based manner on the recent controversies. She answered what many women want to know about the safety of HRT for menopause, providing reassurance and effective alternatives including plant remedies.
You can read the full transcript if the talk here.
Vinings Clinic – Autumn Talks
For anyone interested in attending our Autumn series of free talks at Vinings Natural Health Centre, I shall be kicking things off with a talk on whether HRT is safe on Tuesday 13th September starting at 7.00pm.
Click here for more information: https://www.viningsnaturalhealthcentre.co.uk/free-talks-every-tuesday/
Varndean College students celebrate completion of the Carbon Literacy Qualification (CLQ)
Varndean College students are celebrating
the successful completion of the Carbon Literacy Qualification, a course which has been offered as a pilot scheme across Sussex colleges, with Varndean being one of the first in the country to offer this course.
Year 1 students across all subject areas undertook a 10-hour self-study programme on carbon literacy, which required them to learn about the science of climate change and exploring carbon footprints. They also learned more about how they can take action to reduce their own carbon footprint; aim to be carbon neutral at the very least, and at the best aim towards being zero carbon, considering ways to be more sustainable.