Manyways: Little Acts, Big Impact!
- Ele Roscoe
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
On Thursday 20th March, Uppertunity hosted Little Acts, Big Impact, a fun, creative, and hands-on event focused on helping our community, ourselves, and the planet through small, everyday actions.
With four interactive stalls (Fun with Food, Fashion Fun, Tips and Tricks, and Connecting with
Nature), we explored simple ways to save money, reuse and repair, reduce waste, and connect with the natural world.
But this day wasn’t just about learning, it was about listening. We spoke with adults with additional support needs about a topic that can often feel scary, boring, or overwhelming: climate change.
We asked:
What do you feel when you hear the words climate change?
What do you think it means?
What do you feel you can do?
What helps you understand it better?
What we heard:
Many people shared that climate change feels
Big and out of reach
Overwhelming
Confusing
Something “only big companies or governments can fix”
Something people feel silly or lost talking about
Often just associated with recycling
But we also heard:
“We need to make it fun!”
“It’s something to do with oil, petrol and electricity.”
“I think of trees, we need them to breathe.”
“Games and easy words would help.”
“Kids copy adults!”
“Make it more kid-friendly!”
These responses showed us that language and approach really matter. Climate change can feel too serious or too big to talk about, which then stops people getting involved. But when we make it relatable, keep it playful, and focus on what we can do, people feel more confident and curious.
What can we do now?
We don’t need to do everything. But we can all do something. And together, little acts really can make a big impact.
Here are 10 small changes we can all try:
1. Only take what you need - Less waste, more savings
2. Avoid fast fashion - Buy second-hand, swap or repair
3. Eat smart & waste less - Use your food, try more veg
4. Reuse & share - Borrow, swap, and use reusables
5. Save energy - Switch off when not in use
6. Grow & protect nature - Plant wildflowers, help bees
7. Recycle & upcycle - Give things a second life
8. Walk, cycle or bus it - Burn calories, not carbon!
9. Talk, learn & share - Ask questions and spread ideas
10. Help in your community - Pick up litter, get involved
A few powerful facts we shared:
More than half of food waste in Scotland comes from homes
One white cotton shirt = 35 miles in a car
Boiling too much water wastes enough power to light half the UK’s streetlights
Wearing your clothes for just 9 more months cuts waste by up to 30%
Most household food waste is still good to eat!
What’s next?
We will:
Keep making climate conversations simple, kind and fun
Focus on things people can do, not what they can’t
Create more inclusive resources and games
Continue listening, reflecting and learning
Work together to build a better, more caring world
Your turn: make a pledge!
I will choose one small act to help:
💚 Myself: __________________________________
💚 My Community: ___________________________
💚 The Earth: ________________________________
Let’s keep planting seeds of change, one small act at a time.
