Working with the University of Worcester and students from Worcester Polytechnic Institue the Environmental Lifestyle Audit Tool was designed for Worcester Cathedral by students to help people make greener lifestyle choices. It is intended to be quick and easy to use rather than hard work or over-detailed.
The environmental lifestyle audit tool consists of two components. The first part, the environmental lifestyle tool, is designed to engage and educate users. It aims to raise awareness and provide information. The second part, the audit, is a collaborative process that encourages individuals to assess and contemplate their current habits. It guides potential changes that can be made in our lifestyles to help safeguard the environment. It allows us to start on the journey to make a little change and help protect the city we all live in.
How Environmental Lifestyle Audit Tool was developed?
‘Cathedral illustration’ – Erin Mcgarry
The development of the environmental lifestyle audit tool was the result of extensive collaborative efforts within the community. The research involved 70 cathedral visitors representing a diverse range of engagement levels, including frequent visitors and those just beginning to participate in local community development. In addition to the visitors, 10 cathedral staff members were informally interviewed to gather valuable input for the tool’s development, ensuring its accessibility to a wide audience. The project’s collaborative nature extended beyond the local community, with participation from individuals overseas in Europe and the US, lending an ambitious and global perspective to the initiative. The diverse views, opinions, and suggestions contributed by many individuals formed the essential building blocks for creating an inclusive and engaging program for all to benefit from and enjoy.
“Our goal was to use the historical significance of the River Severn to develop an Environmental Lifestyle Audit Tool (ELAT) to promote sustainable living to the Worcester Cathedral community.“
(McKenzie Anderson, Joseph Beauregard, Evan Mandel, and John Steglitz. 2024)
How This Could Reach You?
A variety of delivery methods have been devised to get you involved in this project. Get to know Worcester as a city and its beauty, and see what real change you can make. There are pamphlets, guided tours, and river walks, just to name a few. We will be delving into more detail below.
‘Guided Tours Illustration’ – Erin Mcgarry
Pamphlets Pamphlets are handed out to the city’s residents and visitors and serve as a detailed guide to the eco-friendly mission and the rich history of Worcester. They aim to help anyone interested connect to the community and understand the implications of their actions in bringing about a fundamental change. The pamphlets include interesting tidbits such as the effect of climate change leading to river flooding within the city, the cathedral’s nature and conservation efforts, and alternatives to everyday routines that would contribute to efforts to improve the quality of life and the environment we all live in.
Guide-led tours Guide-led tours are a great way to view Worcester as a city and what we are all fighting to protect. These tours provide an in-depth understanding of the rich history and serene beauty of Worcester itself, including its cathedral and river. They aim to not just show the city but to help participants truly understand and appreciate the efforts being made to protect it.
River Walks Relax and walk along the City side of the river Severn, passing by the cathedral alongside the swans. Learn of their sanctuary and the steps taken to protect the local population of Mute swans. If you are an animal lover yourself, even stop by the cathedral to pick up some pellets to feed our adorable local feathery friends. Other little pieces of information about the local wildlife and environment are also dotted around the river walk.
The Worcester Cathedral website and Raindrops If the efforts made by Worcester as a community truly inspire you and interest you, take the time to visit the Worcester Cathedral website, where you can find information on the eco group And all the efforts put towards the conservation of local wildlife protecting their environment within Worcester And how to get involved yourself and all that is going on around you. Raindrops is another method introduced that provides bite-sized pieces of information about Worcester and the features of the city. Visit the Worcester Cathedral website to know more: https://www.worcestercathedral.org.uk/
