Nice clip. Shame about the profile.

616 people have enjoyed this little clip on YouTube. We hope you will too. The hunk in the background is Mike Daley our web manager.

Here's one for you crafters out there!

We love this review of Change the World for Ten Bucks (US edition) on etsy.com the fabulous crafters website. Thanks to the 98 people (at last count) who chipped in with comments!
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/10-everyday-tips-to-change-the-world-4568/.

My Fifth and final day

This is the moment when I’d like everyone to join me in taking a deep breath, slowly breathe out with eyes closed, and calmly reflect on the week’s busy activities together.

For me, this week as an intern at the WAWWD office has exceeded my expectations a million times over, has been eye-opening and truly inspiring. I have taken part in creative ideas meetings across the city (including at Topshop HQ!), visited graphic designers, screen-printers and exclusive museum exhibitions. I have been warmly welcomed with open arms by some of the loveliest, most friendly people you could meet and no I’m not just sucking up, although I did just complete Action 59: ‘praise people’! I have felt greatly valued with my involvement in the current projects (some of which I have not mentioned but are set to be international) and have loved every minute working here. I’m not sure how much help I have given WAWWD but personally I feel a sense of job satisfaction that I have made a small difference to them, which is, after all, what WAWWD is about: small actions x lots of people= BIG change! I hope I can continue to help WAWWD grow and inspire others to take part in such a fabulous organisation! Next time you take a break from your own schedule (Action 66) I encourage you to get involved with WAWWD, firstly by taking a look at the main website www.wearewhatwedo.org and getting some actions going!

BFN (Bye for now, NOT big fat nose as commonly misinterpreted)

Rosie :O)

Grannies and Teatowels by Rosie Helson

Before I begin my final blog of the week I will quickly do a ‘letting you in on a little secret’ blog. This is in regard to possibly the next biggest project since the ‘I’m NOT a plastic bag’ phenomenon and is named, by those in the know (in National-Lottery-voice-over style)… ‘the granny tea towel’. Unfortunately this is not a code for ‘WAWWD sexy lingerie range’ (although you should keep your eyes peeled for that), but is in fact so much more.

This item, brought to you by the people of WAWWD, will serve several functions, not the least of which is brightening up your grandma’s day-to-day life, looking beautiful in the kitchen, amusing old and young people alike, and of course helping your dishes dry. Just to keep you in the loop, this tea towel stems from the ‘Teach Your Granny To Text’ Action featured in the book of the same name. I am just going to side-track for a second and reassure you that if you ever overhear ‘where’s the battered granny gone?’ from the WAWWD office, it is in reference to a particularly worn office copy of the TYGTT book and not a beaten up old lady. Anyway, having cleared that up, the tea towel design will be unique (the image above is from the book) and will feature amazing suggestions for text-language granny-speak, for example:

AB- Ah bless!
NE14T?- Any one for tea?
And, my favourite: IVKTDUSMLUVLISOX- I’ve knitted you some lovely socks!

This project is in development, thus I am lucky enough to see how such an idea is patched together. Tori Flower from WAWWD lovingly hand cross-stitched a mock-up tea towel (which apparently took approximately 300 cups of tea and 500 biscuits) based on the original artwork by Beth Aves from the book. It just shows what you can achieve when you are really passionate about a great cause like helping grannies to be less lonely and encouraging intergenerational timeshare. Photographs were taken of this impressive ‘prototype’, which were sent to printers for a sample. This morning we visited Hatley Print LTD by London Bridge to see about getting each one screen-printed. It was an honour to be in such a beautiful creative space: we all agreed we would like to be let loose upon the reams of gorgeously patterned fabric there! The tea towel will be made of Fair Trade organic cotton and will be on sale in time for your granny’s Christmas present.

My peachy fourth day by Rosie Helson

This morning I unplugged my mobile phone charger after charging up the phone (Action 58), had a fair trade cup of tea to wake me up (Action 57) and headed off to work where I took the stairs up to the office (Action 91), and started the working day ‘aspiring to be more not earn more’ (Action 82).

That’s right, I am wolfing my way through the ‘Change The World 9 to 5’ actions! I practiced good workplace manners (Action 63) and made tea for three colleagues (Action 84). Everyone said thanks to me (Action 97). Later, I sourced my lunch from an Italian café aptly named ‘Eataly’, although I am not sure that counts as Action 51: ‘find out where your lunch has come from’, however amusing it may seem. I ate my lunch with Ella and Tori in the park (Action 67), which was delightful.

Throughout the day I became aware of how I am ‘fitting into the bigger picture’ (Action 99). The work I am currently doing for the wonderful organisation that is WAWWD will help to spread positive social and environmental messages. The phrase ‘We Are What We Do’ implies that our actions make us who we are; I took a break this afternoon (Action 66) and ate a peach, so that makes me a peach? No, that can’t be right. It means I am making small changes in my life that will positively affect the wider world. By eating that peach on my break, you won’t hear me moaning about an empty stomach and I will be less grumpy to others! I also brought a smile to others’ faces by struggling to maintain ladylike and graceful appearances whilst slurping its succulent juiciness.

On that note, until tomorrow blog-readers…

My Third Day (Topshop HQ exclusive!) by Rosie

I stand corrected. There are currently 131 WAWWD actions, not 130, and in fact, we are working on a whole bunch of new ones! I have to say, I have come to work for WAWWD at a really happenin’ time; there are just so many thrilling projects in the pipeline. Only today I ventured out into the wild outdoors (the park opposite) to take photographs of WAWWD products for the new website which will be launched in September. I have also begun a research project for the new interactive Young Speakers section of the website and have been to a WAWWD product design meeting (which was held in a large and modern creativity-inspiring room with complimentary football, perhaps to prompt the ‘kicking around’ of ideas).

I know this blog is told from the perspective of a young intern, not yet accustomed to the buzzing and enthralling daily life of a WAWWD worker, but I am still basking in the aftermath of the awesome moment that took place this afternoon in the very stylish Topshop Head Quarters. I will briefly (and exclusively) describe to you that Topshop is engaging with WAWWD for the selling of a product that will be part of a social project promoting intergenerational time-share, in the form of a trendy knitting kit. The kit itself will of course be sourced sustainably and will contain wool, needles, and a knitting pattern designed by a very famous international fashion designer whose name will be kept secret for now ;)

We went along to Topshop to pitch the idea, which aims to bring together young people, grannies, and anything in between. Tori, Eugenie and I waited nervously in the large and comfortable reception area of the Arcadia Group, brushing shoulders with media execs, moguls and models. We were warmly greeted by Emily Dypka form the marketing department and had a 20 minute meeting in the (glamorous) canteen as there were no meeting rooms spare- it seems everyone is trying to pitch an idea to this high street brandscape. I soon learnt that meetings with Topshop are fast and furious, it pays to be punctual, precise and punchy with your statements. We left the meeting exhausted, but with a happy feeling that we had planted the knitting-kit acorn, which will no doubt grow to be a mighty oak.

Hi there, Rosie’s back!

I have just realised that with my blog greetings I am at risk of sounding like Wally (not A wally, but Wally, as in ‘Where’s Wally?’ and ‘Hi there Wally Watchers!’… thank you very much). However, obviously you wonderful people regularly follow WAWWD and not Wally so perhaps the new greeting should be ‘Hi there We Are What We Do Watchers!’ Whilst on the Wally topic I think you should consider also following Wally, or rather looking for him, as advised in Action 07 in our children’s book: ‘Look Closer’. The page in the book features one of those intricate ‘Where’s Wally?’ images, which is a lot of fun to do on a rainy day, for people of all ages!

If you would like to ‘look closer’ at what exactly ‘We Are What We Do’ does, not only do we have this popular blog and an all-singing, all-dancing website, but we also regularly tweet on twitter. Our twitter page reminds me of the ‘thought for the day’ that was read out each morning at my school registration (a few years ago now). It was always great to start the day with a thought such as ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’ and, although a simple and well-known statement, these pearls of wisdom really served as an alternative to a refreshing morning coffee to set you up for the day.

With this in mind, I would like to recommend attempting to undertake a WAWWD action, as seen on our twitter page (for example Action 053 in the image above 'Calculate your carbon footprint') , to brighten up your day and make you feel good. Whether feeling that sense of achievement that comes with finding Wally, learning something new or smiling at a stranger, the WAWWD actions’ effectiveness lies in their simplicity and can truly enrich your life. Give one a try!

Tree Hugger

We would like to share with you a great website, which has nominated the American version of our ‘Change The World For A Fiver’ book, namely ‘Change The World For Ten Bucks’, as one of the top 3 new books to help you change the world!

They advertise the book well, praising the colourful images accompanying the simple action statements, and they also have something interesting to say about the ‘take a bath with some one you love’ action…

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/books-to-change-the-world.php

My Second Day by Rosie Helson

Day 2 as an intern at the WAWWD office (NOT said in a Big Brother voice over accent) has thus far involved completing several assignments for the WAWWD peeps; yesterday they were arguing over whose assignment would be the most fun!

The first task for the day was to view the ‘I’m NOT a plastic bag’ display at The Design Museum by London Bridge. I took the tube there (Action 06: Take public transport when you can) and met Ella (completing Action 05: Smile and smile back). Together we walked (Action 11: Get fitter, feel better) to the stylish museum building at Shad Thames. Wowee, I completed three WAWWD actions before 9.45am! Hopefully this trend will continue.

Our famous bag is featured as part of the ‘Super Contemporary’ exhibition (http://www.designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2009/supercontemporary) on the development of design in London from 1960 to the present as a collaboration with Beefeater 24. The bag is featured in the 2007 section of the artistic and informative timeline skirting the walls of the large first floor exhibition room. It is truly great to see the WAWWD and Anya Hindmarch bag celebrated as part of the creative works born of London-based organisations. As a recently graduated Geography student, I particularly enjoyed the way that the items or events described were accompanied with a map depicting their geographical origin in London.

The bag’s plaque describes how it was thought up within the WAWWD ranks in 2006, produced as a collaboration with the international fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, and subsequently sold in Sainsbury’s and on the Anya Hindmarch website in 2007 for £5 each. It then describes the ‘hype’ surrounding the bag, which became a much desired item in the fashion world. As a limited edition, it was criticised for masking its original purpose (replacing plastic bags) with fashion kudos, yet simultaneously praised for spreading an important environmental message in a fun and non-threatening way, especially to groups of people who previously may not have been interested in such issues.

Having completed my last dissertation, entitled ‘Environmentalism in fashion: crusaders of the anti-plastic bag’, I am an avid follower of the continuing craze for these canvas totes. Although the ‘I’m NOT a plastic bag’ is no longer available, WAWWD has now produced a 100% organic ‘Plastic ain’t my bag’ tote, which is available from the WAWWD website in a range of colours for £5: http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/products/

It is fantastic that not using plastic bags has developed such eco-chic status, but we must remember to take these bags when we go grocery shopping for them to be effective!

Stay tuned for more updates on current happenings at the exciting WAWWD office…

Happy third birthday to the Aldridge Foundation

We were delighted to share in the Aldridge Foundation's 3rd birthday celebrations last month at the London Transport Museum. The Foundation supports our Young Speaker's Programme through which we have worked with 400 amazing young people and provided them with the skills, confidence and resources to help us campaign in schools about the power of small actions to bring about social and environmental change. http://youngspeakers.wearewhatwedo.org/

Rod (pictured here with Rachelle and Lucie from the YS programme) is deeply committed to entrepreneurship and passionate in his commitment to equality of opportunity and access for all. His Foundation is supporting some brilliant and innovative programmes including our personal fave - Essentially Dance which features Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from Strictly Come Dancing in a National Curriculum based resource which takes teachers and young people through the Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Jive and Quickstep. Check it out! http://www.aldridgefoundation.com/essentially_dance

My First Day by Rosie Helson

Hi there WAWWD blog readers!

My name is Rosie Helson and I am undertaking a week’s work experience with the lovely people at We Are What We Do, based in the London office. As well as having a fabulously productive lunch time team meeting, which involved glamorous sushi eating (including a comment from me which amused all those present: ‘these soya bean pods are quite chewy and stringy aren’t they?’, prompting a chorus-like response ‘you are not supposed to eat them whole!’), today’s tasks have included:

Memorising the 130 actions in ‘Change the World for a Fiver’, ready for a test

Learning everybody’s names in the office (all 5 of them)
This relates to Action 18 ‘learn to be friendly in another language’, when I said hello to the Australian Eugenie (‘G’day mate!’) and to Dutch Nicole (‘Goiedag!’, pronounced ‘hoy-a-daak’). We are not quite at Action 41 yet: ‘hug someone’…perhaps tomorrow.

Reading Top Secret files on exciting new projects and campaigns.
I’m not sure there is a WAWWD Action for this, maybe I will make one up: ‘do something that makes you feel very special and important!’

Attempting to understand a meeting timetable and contributing to the meeting itself
This involved both Action 36 ‘Take time to listen’ and Action 46 ‘Use both sides of every piece of paper’ (I made a lot of scribbled notes)

Successfully gaining office entry using the techno-fab fob and writing a blog for the first time…here goes! Both in line with Action 32 ‘Do something you think you can’t do’.

I hope I haven’t committed the ultimate first-day sin with these tasks, Action 100, which is fail!