We began in 2013 as Foraging in Birmingham (FiB). After a year of investigating the frugal life in Birmingham however, we discovered there was a wealth of areas we wanted to explore including building from reclaimed wood, bushcraft, keeping livestock and other free foods. We therefore expanded on 25th March 2014 with Sustainable Life and created a new facebook page to showcase our new website.
Basecamp – Humble Beginnings
Our base of operations is now in Perry Barr, we started life in a small terraced house in south Birmingham with nothing but a small paved back yard. Many of our courses are available across Birmingham including Stirchley/Bournville, Highbury Park (Kings Heath), Kingstanding, Perry Barr, Hall Green. We are always looking to expand our venues to make our courses more accessible so if you have a venue you think we may be interested in please let us know!
Who We Are
Name: Stephanie Adelaar
Title: Course Leader & Admin
Jobs: Maintain the Sustainable life blog/website/facebook, manage courses, create marketing materials, manage accounts/finances and run or assist with courses.
Experience/Skills: Foraging, “allotmenteering”, managing livestock, preserving foods, IT and graphic design.
Extra: Stephanie is currently working with teachers at Raddlebarn primary school to introduce kids to edible foods and growing plants in their school playground.
You can read more about this and other community projects here.
Name: Alan Bale
Title: Primary Course Leader
Jobs: Run courses, engage with the community, manage training opportunities.
Experience/Skills: Foraging, “allotmenteering”, trees, outdoor learning.
Extra: Alan Bale is a qualified and experienced tree surgeon, an experienced forager, a bushcraft enthusiast and is currently working on his Forest Schools Birmingham qualification. He is currently working as a gardener for the Kingstanding Food Community (a lottery funded charity) where he teaches vulnerable adults how to grow and cook their own food.
Name: Natalie Rose
Title: Associate – Crafting Specialist
Jobs: Run courses in and around Barnard Castle and Darlington area that specialise in craft work.
Experience/Skills: Craft market stall owner and specially trained in willow weaving basketry courses by Sustainable Life.
Extra: Natalie Rose has several years of experience as a crafter creating wonderful and unique vintage style items for the home. She has now undergone training with the Sustainable Life team to teach willow weaving basketry and we also hope to expand her courses skills to upcycling craftwork.