Sustainable September and spreading smiles through an incredible children’s charity, by Bex Cooper, Director

School holidays are now a distant memory but with some lovely family ‘escape’ time all wrapped up, we are all settled back into to a new term, new uniform, new subjects, new after-school activities, friendships and passions. I think I need a holiday to recover!

Just like the conflict between proudly waving them back off to school and thinking “they are growing up too fast!”, I am feeling a bit split-personality for this blog. This month is Sustainable September: a great initiative supporting, inspiring and encouraging us to tread a little lighter on the planet. We will definitely come back to that later, but first, something I am very excited to shout about…

‘Outside In’: an amazing and 100% inclusive charity-run play centre in Kendal. That doesn’t even begin to touch what they do, and the impact they make to families’ lives. Community-run, they provide a safe, warm and magical haven where children can play, explore, make friends, find calm or stimulation and express themselves.

Focused on the whole family, it is also a great hub for parents, not just for a cuppa and chat while the kids let off steam, but an open door to a safe and welcoming support network, understanding shoulder, invaluable advice and direct links to useful organisations. Do check out their website and ‘Outside-In’ on Facebook to see lots more of their work, ethos and regular events (support is always warmly welcome…!)

Needless to say, we think they are great! So Crossbank Dental Care are exceptionally proud to be partnering with them this autumn. For the next three months, we will be donating dentistry-related toys and goody bags to them, while also hosting free family Oral Health Clinics at our practice, covering tooth-brushing techniques, oral health care tips and personalised dietary advice for children. Set a date for half-term, when our Tooth Fairy will be running fun drop-in sessions at Outside In.

Lots of you will know how passionate Neil and I are about reversing the incredibly unfair and life-limiting decline in children’s oral health and provision. With this partnership we are proud to highlight the exceptional inclusion and mental health support Outside In are providing for families across the South Lakes and Cumbria. Just writing about them puts a smile on my face, as I know they bring to so many others.

Of course one autumn challenge is never enough so yes, of course we are all over Sustainable September! Sustainability and reducing our practice footprint is another deep passion of ours, so we are continuing to drive every initiative we can, from expanding our dental recycling programme to aiming for the stretching standards of performance, transparency and accountability for B Corp accreditation in social and environmental responsibility.

We stretch ourselves because we are in a position to really make a difference, working in a sector that historically can’t claim a great track record (you know me and challenges…!) But small actions add up- together, we can effect planet-positive change. This could include reducing waste, minimising single-use plastics, eating seasonally and locally, reducing food waste, buying less and recycling more. Google ‘Sustainable September’ to take advantage of great ideas and activities, from Oxfam's Second Hand September, encouraging us to shop preloved, to local litter-picking, community gardening and beach cleans.

For enquiries about the Tooth Fairy, children’s dental health, or our local green and volunteering initiatives, feel free to get in touch- let’s keep those smiles spreading!

Bex x