Helen works for the Kindling Trust and travelled to Spain to research models and good practice methods to be incorporated into a new co-operative of food growers and buyers in Greater Manchester. The co-operative will increase sustainable food access in the area and will incorporate some of the ideas Helen collected from across Spain.

Elizabeth travelled to the USA to investigate exemplary energy efficiency programmes, including those suitable for retrofitting.

Claire is an enviromental specialist working as part of an energy team and travelled to several African countries, and Norway, to investigate their hydropower systems. Hydroturbines in the UK were largely abandoned when the national grid was established but renewed interest in low carbon energy means we need to relearn many of the skills and knowledge lost. Working in the utilities sector, Claire is well positioned to use her research to work towards a solution to the carbon reduction challenge faced by us all.

As an active member of The Ramblers, Audrey was keen to find out how walking club leaders are recruited and trained in New Zealand, a country where walking is a large part of the culture.

Linsay works for the Community Resources Network for Scotland where 100,000 people a year are provided with reuse items such as furniture and baby equipment. Many of those people are moving out of homelessness. Linsay wanted to see how reuse organisations in the States have developed successfully, despite receiving very little public funding.