We’re really excited to be teaming up with The Social Society and Goodmoney – two incredible local initiatives here in Brighton – to bring you The Big Session. A festival that aims to empower our community to make a positive change in their own way, it’s an event that represents the unique, inspiring people that Brighton is filled with. If you live in Brighton & Hove, then yes, that includes you!

The Social Society is a social club for social good, disrupting the standard model for charitable giving, something we’re big fans of here at BOTI. Members pledge skills, time and expertise to help local charities grow, with a percentage of their monthly membership fee going towards fundraising, so their six chosen charities don’t have to rely on external government grants and resources. Their six chosen charities are Emmaus, Audio Active, The Real Junkfood Project, Forward Facing and Gig Buddies, with Together Co being their newest addition just this week. The Social Society also run their ‘Social Sessions’ to connect communities and reduce isolation locally, from immersive evenings of food and entertainment to their Silent Disco on Volks Railway. Oh yes, you may have seen them shaking their ass on the beach…

The Big Session is not only celebrating The Social Society’s first birthday, but it’s also a chance for people to come together to be inspired and learn something new about the incredible things happening right here on our doorstep, and, of course, how you can get involved too. During the challenging time we are in, we’ve cherry-picked some incredible people to share their experiences with you.

Wagner Hall will be our home for the day and we’ll be bringing inspiration, creativity and fun to the space. Here are just some of the things we have planned:

Our inspiring speaker line up includes:

• Paul Richards from Gig Buddies – Keeping it punk in social care
• John Pritchard from Pala Eyewear – Small Steps, Big Change (from a sustainable fashion brand!)
• Jess Crocker from The Community Kitchen – Food Connects: Cooking and eating
• Mental health coach Rich Goddard – Connected Minds: What your mental health can do for society
• Charlotte Overton-Hart, creator of Story Chaplin – Sharing her story about how her ingredients cards have helped people in the community with dementia

There are so many incredible community projects happening in and around the city. Dr Mick Taylor, Education Lead at The Hummingbird Project will also be joining us to talk about our community heroes and how we can influence complex systems through connection and collaboration. We’ve also got Whitehawk FC Ultra Fan, Josh Boyd, who will be sharing more on the undiscovered magic of the community that is Whitehawk FC. We’ve been to some of their matches and it really is a unique community to be part of.

Our kind of lunch break:

• Creative Quick Draw workshop from Drawn Together Club
• Paper Play collage workshop with Kalee Jones to create inspiring artwork
• Meet crowdfunding expert Jason Nuttall of Crowdfunder and have your questions answered

Connect with yourself in the Healing Hub:

• Join experienced yoga teacher Liz Naven for a dreamy session
• Guided breath work and meditation with Calmer Soul’s Emma Bohan
• Hear from Positive Psychologist Jenna Sinclair about why connecting with your environment is the key to self-acceptance and a sense of belonging
• Connect to your creative self as you bathe in the sounds and vibrations generated from alchemy crystal singing bowls played by Jan Burgess from SOL Design Collective
• Discover the use of Chant Mala in mediation with Helen Kathleen

There will be live music from some brilliant local bands, food from local produce champion Syndicate Kitchen and coffee from Henfield based roastery The Craft Coffee House.

A BOTI exclusive…

The festival will bring a packed line up of speakers, creative workshops, live music, street food and entertainment that cover the three core themes of the day: CREATE. DISRUPT. CONNECT. Get yourself a ticket for just £25 + bf (£20 for students and Social Society members) using the code BOTI, which gives you £5 off! We’ll see you there.

Saturday 12th October, doors 10.300 for 11.00am start to 5.30pm; SS members or NUS, £25 + bf, full price £30 + bf, use BOTI for £5 off
Wagner Hall, Regency Road, Brighton BN1 2RU
thebigsession.com