Welcome to Village Stories
Why I'm writing
Hello, it’s so lovely to have you here. I’m Jayne Sharratt, a writer and community campaigner. I’m starting this Substack as a place where politics, family, intersectional feminism and planetary boundaries can collide into something that may be messy but will (I hope) resonate, reassure, galvanise and perhaps inspire. Mainly I’m trying to fathom how to raise the next generation of humans with some joy, grace and hope in the midst of the gritty fight for our planet’s future. And make no mistake, there’s a fight raging.
I edit and write two community-based magazines and I’m a Labour Councillor for a semi-rural ward in the Borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent. In 2022 I co-founded Reclaim the Night Tunbridge Wells with the rather brilliant Lauren Kate Brook, and each November 25th we walk in solidarity and protest for the rights of women and girls to have the freedom to exist safely wherever and whenever they choose to walk. I live in the village of Rusthall, the truly special community that inspired the Village Stories title of my Substack, with my two children who are 11 and 16.
A mother’s place is in the resistance
The things I am passionate about are equalities, climate action and community. I try to be about the deeds not just the words (although, I’m a writer, so the words count too!) A mother’s place is always in the resistance - but there’s no virtue signalling here. Sometimes the resistance is just raising your child securely. My sustainability is very (very) far from perfect, and my feminism is a work in progress. I hope it is in the messiness, nuance, uncertainty and grey areas that we can work together to find a way forward and bring about change.
When we think about the global actions needed to make sure our planet is liveable and people can exist freely, safely and equally, it can be overwhelming. Acting as an individual feels lonely and inadequate. That’s why my Substack is called Village Stories - I think that when we come together as a community - in whatever form community takes (sometimes the village is a metaphor) - we have a power that is more than the sum of ourselves.
I would love you to subscribe to my newsletter and come along on this journey with me.
Every Friday there will be a free newsletter called Eco, Feminist, Whatever…This will be a round-up of my sustainability/equalities notes from the past week. If you would like to support my work further there is a paid option, which will give you access to extra content, deeper dive articles on particular issues, Behind the Scenes snippets and anything else that occurs to me - not to mention my undying gratitude and the knowledge you are helping me pay my bills!