My name is Mike Thomas of the Transition Network. I'm working with Richard Couldrey from the Transition London and South East Hub and Transition Town Tooting to facilitate 8 regional workshops across England to explore the benefits of setting up regional networks to share the possibilities and challenges of working "In Transition".

We are running a free workshop (full details below) in Bristol on the 4th June for groups in Bristol and the surrounding areas to get together and investigate the idea of a regional hub/s in this area. We understand that this is quite a large geographical area and as a result there is a possibility for several hubs to emerge.

This Workshop is a great opportunity to:

• Connect with other groups

• Design a regional network

• Grow transition together

We are also organising meetings in East Midlands and Exeter that may be closer to you or you would prefer to go to, see here for more details

If you wish to come to the Bristol event please sign up using Eventbrite.

Important this workshop is for people already in Transition Groups.

Outline of workshop:

This day workshop has been developed out of work carried out in London and the South East where groups came together and co-designed a functioning regional network. This network developed through using a series of exercises to come up with ideas and plans and it is these exercises that form the basis of the workshop. London now has a really thriving network that meets regularly, shares information and has arranged events together. We want to help other networks to develop based on the great stuff that has happened there to create thriving networks throughout England.

• You design your network

Workshop facilitators Mike Thomas (Transition Network) and Richard Couldrey (Transition Town Tooting) have both been involved in the development of the London and SE hub. They believe that Transition groups in a region will know how best to define what their regional network does and how it functions. This workshop has been designed to facilitate this happening. At the end of this workshop, you and the other groups involved will have explored whether there is energy for a regional network, what it function should be and how to develop it.

• We also want to learn from you and share your innovations

As part of this project, Richard is also carrying out research into scaling up grassroots social innovation to affect greater change. The workshop will also feedback into this process to seed the next steps of the project which includes strengthening and developing regional networks in preparation for a workshop about a National Hub later this year.

• How to get there.

The workshop is being held at the Friends Meeting House, Champion Square, Bristol, BS2 9DB which is right next to Cabot Circus shopping Centre at the bottom of the M32 motorway.

The nearest station is Bristol Temple Meads Station, which is a 15 minute walk from the venue. If coming by car it is very close to Bristol City Centre, where there is adequate parking available, very close by. We'll finish the workshop at 4.30pm, please arrange your transport back from Bristol at 5pm or later.

Check out Friends Meeting House website for more details of the venue:

• Food

No lunch will be provided please bring your own lunch.

• More information

More information on this project and workshop can be found here: http://trnuk.org

• Contact

If you have any questions please email michaelthomas@transitionnetowkr.org or ring Mike Thomas on 07875537349, you can also use this number to contact us on the day if you need to.

Look forward to seeing you on the 4th June.

Mike Thomas - Transition Network

Richard Couldrey - London and South East Transition Hub