In a time of transition, we need inspiring role models - who show that it is not only necessary but also fun to switch to sustainable consumption. One such role model is Isabelle McAllister, who is now awarded Erikshjälpen Second Hand's Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 award. Isabelle will donate the prize money to work for girls' Menstrual health.
- Forces like Isabelle McAllister are really needed in our society! She is a role model and a source of inspiration and through our award we want to both show appreciation for the work she has already done and send encouragement for the future, says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
Through Programme programs like "Äntligen hemma", "Fixa rummet" and "Sommartorpet", Isabelle McAllister has become a colorful interior design profile with the entire Swedish population. It has always been obvious to her to use second hand in her interior design, but in the past she did not talk much about the benefits.
In recent years, Isabelle has become more vocal. She has trained in climate and sustainability issues and today calls herself a creative transition activist. In 2021, she published the book "Skavank", which is about gadgets, our relationship with them and how we can best repair and care for them.
- "Half of the book is about gadgets and consumption, in the other half I talk about different materials and how we can take care of them," she says.
With this book, Isabelle wants to both challenge old patterns of thought and show how old and worn-out things can be given new life. What if we realize that things that have been owned and handled - by us or by others - have something that the new lacks? If we start to see the beauty in the imperfections, and understand the satisfaction that taking care of our stuff can actually give us?
- Use what you already have - as long as you can, urges Isabelle McAllister.
- We won't save the world by mending a shirt, but I think working with your hands is good for your body and your system. By taking care of what we have, we also start caring for it more.
Erikshjälpen Second Hand hopes that many listen to Isabelle's call.
- Isabelle's ability to see the beauty in the scratched and worn is something we hope many can be inspired by and emulate. If we all make small changes in our consumption behavior, together we can make a difference. It feels really great to be able to present this award to Isabelle," says Josefine Janossy, Marketing and Concept Manager at Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
Isabelle McAllister was nominated alongside the Climate Club's Maria Soxbo and Emma Sundh, as well as the Vintage Man Ingemar Albertsson for the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 award, which is awarded annually by Sweden's leading non-profit second-hand player. Isabelle is very proud to receive the award.
- It's the ultimate prize for an old flea market rat like me. I am so proud and happy and it feels so much fun. Second hand is really something I feel at home in and appreciate very much. It also makes sense to inspire others to use things as long as possible," she says.
As the winner, Isabelle will receive Swedish kronor (SEK) 25,000 to donate to one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights. The choice fell on work for girls' Menstrual health, which includes educating children and parents around the world about menstruation, giving girls access to safe menstrual protection and ensuring that schools have hygienic and safe toilets.
- I wish we saw menstruation as a woman's power instead of something we are ashamed of. It's still so taboo," she says.
Motivation Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022
Where throwaway has become the norm in society, Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 stands on the other side. She calls herself a creative change activist - and her heart beats hard for reuse. Where others see flaws, she sees opportunities.
In everything from books to television, and not least in social media, she creates engagement around sustainable consumption. She inspires and shares knowledge about how to extend the life of things, and also how to learn to appreciate the old and worn. Thanks to Isabelle McAllister, more things can be given new life and loved again, and again.
About the Second Hand Profile of the Year award
About the prize
Erikshjälpen Second Hand annually awards Sweden’s Second Hand Profile to someone who, through their commitment, contributes to an increased interest in second hand and its possibilities. It can be about innovative ideas, creative solutions or smart environmental work through reuse.
The winner of Sweden’s Second Hand Profile award receives a diploma and a statuette, as well as the right to award one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights equivalent to 25,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
Deep-drilled wells with solar-powered pumps are providing people in rural areas outside Addis Ababa with completely new opportunities for health and livelihood. Thanks to the support of Lindströms Bil/Lexus Jönköping, many children now have a safer and healthier childhood.
In the countryside about 13 miles northeast of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, the vast majority of families make their living from farming. The area is rocky and dry. Lack of water has been the area's biggest challenge in the past, leading to problems such as poor hygiene, disease and food shortages due to small or destroyed harvests.
Two new wells in 2020
Together with the local partner organization Feed the Children Organization, FTCO, Erikshjälpen started a water project in 2017 to drill wells in the area. A drilled well costs approximately 215,000 Swedish kronor (SEK). By utilizing the sun's energy, and providing the wells with solar panel-powered pumps, families and entire villages have sustainably gained access to water that both improves health, develops agriculture and provides new income, as well as giving children better opportunities for education when they do not have to spend several hours every day to fetch water.
In 2020, two wells were completed in the area and are now used by a total of around 130 families, both for domestic and agricultural purposes. The operation and management of the wells has been handed over to the local communities, where teams have been appointed and trained to take care of different aspects of the management.
New income and more nutrition
Before the water project started in 2017, a study in the area showed, among other things, that 95% of families did not sell any crops at the market, as they needed everything they grew to feed their own family. The diet was monotonous and the lack of clean water caused poor hygiene and disease. Many women and children also had to spend a lot of time collecting water. In November 2020, a survey was conducted among families using three of the wells drilled in the project. The survey showed many positive results, including that all school-age children are now attending school. The incidence of diarrhoeal diseases is low. Food has become more varied and therefore more nutritious, which is especially important for growing children. More than 95% of families report that they have sold crops at the market in the past year, thereby earning an income.
Lindström's car has contributed to a change that is of great benefit to children and families today - but also for a long time to come. Access to clean water creates opportunities for good livelihoods and health, but also for children's education and security. It provides the conditions for families and entire communities to lift themselves out of poverty.
Author: Sofia Denzler
Erikshjälpen Second Hand's prize Sweden’s Second Hand Profile is awarded in 2021 to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation for its successful initiatives with the Clothes Swap Day and the Toy Swap Day. This year's award winners make it easy to choose the right thing and show that everyone can contribute to sustainable development.
- "We are very happy about the award and it is especially warming because both our local associations and our national office have worked for a long time on these issues. It is a nice signal to our members who over the years have put a lot of effort into organizing Clothes Swap Days, says Karin Lexén, Secretary-General of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
Through the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile award, Erikshjälpen Second Hand wants to celebrate and encourage people and organisations that are role models and make a good impression when it comes to promoting second hand and reuse. At a time when it is vital for society to change, all good forces are needed to help people live more sustainably.
- "The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation is a strong force and does great work at many different levels in society. It feels great to be able to give the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2021 award to such a worthy winner," says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation is Sweden's largest environmental organization, which spreads knowledge, forms opinion and influences decision-makers both locally, nationally and globally. Since 2010, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation organizes the Clothes Swap Day around Sweden.
- We are in the midst of a climate crisis. In Sweden, we live as if we had four Earths. We need to change in all areas, including how we consume. With the Clothes Swap Day, we wanted to create an arena and a fun context to get more people to choose second hand and become part of the sharing economy," says Karin Lexén.
On Clothes Swap Day, people can bring some nice clothes that they no longer wear and swap them for clothes that someone else has brought. Since 2019, there has also been a Toy Swap Day, where toys, leisure items and things for the home and kitchen change hands. Interest in the Clothes and Gadget Swap Day has grown every year.
- I think that doing something concrete and fun for the environment is the reason why it has become so popular. The last time we did a big national Clothes Swap Day, in 2019, 58,000 garments got a new owner, just in Sweden," says Karin Lexén.
On December 9, Karin Lexén will receive the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2021 award at an event in Erikshjälpen Second Hand's new city store in Gothenburg.
Motivation Sweden's Second Hand profile 2021
When society is in urgent need of a transition to more sustainable development, initiatives are needed to help people make the right choices. Through Clothes Swap Day and Product Swap Day, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation provides a fine example of how everyone can do something to create change. Together, we can reuse our things to a much greater extent than we do today - and it is important that more of us start doing so.
With great knowledge and strong commitment, Sweden's largest environmental organization, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, contributes to a more sustainable world both locally, nationally and globally. With the Clothes Swap Day and the Plastic Swap Day, Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2021 has shown that everyone can contribute to a more circular society by starting small.
Author: Sofia Denzler
About the Second Hand Profile of the Year award
About the prize
Erikshjälpen Second Hand annually awards the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile to someone who, through their commitment, contributes to an increased interest in second hand and its possibilities. It can be about innovative ideas, creative solutions or smart environmental work through reuse. Elsa Billgren, Johanna Leymann, Scandinavian Retro and Henning Gillberg are some previous winners.
The winner of Sweden’s Second Hand Profile award receives a diploma and a statuette, as well as the right to award one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights equivalent to 25,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
Listening Erikshjälpen's newspaper and Second Hand Magazine have become one and this week the first issue sees the light of day. A new newspaper – where hope and sustainability are in focus. No matter from which side you read.
Erikshjälpen's magazine is distributed to all Erikshjälpen donors and is also distributed at concerts and other events organized by the organization. The Second Hand Magazine has previously been published once a year and was then available in Erikshjälpen Second Hand's more than 60 stores.
– Being able to provide feedback from our children's rights work , in Sweden and internationally , and at the same time inspire a sustainable lifestyle through our second-hand business , feels both fun and reasonable, says Daniel Grahn, Erikshjälpen's Secretary-General .
Sustainability is the most crucial challenge of our time
When the two newspapers are now integrated into each other and form a new product with the common mottos "hope and sustainability", the different operations are also tied together in a clearer way.
– These two words are the unifying words for all of Erikshjälpen’s operations. Hope stands for faith in the future, for a desire to contribute to a better and better world. Sustainability is the absolute most crucial challenge of our time. Sustainability is the very business model for our stores, to be part of a circular economy and conserve the earth's resources. Equally crucial is the sustainability behind our rights-based work, says Daniel Grahn.
“Hope stands for faith in the future”
The new magazine is read from two sides, where articles about Erikshjälpen's work for children's rights meet the reader from one side and inspiring articles about second-hand from the other.
– While the message of the second-hand business reaches a wider audience by being sent out to all of Erikshjälpen's donors, the goal is for the foundation's work to become better known among our second-hand customers. Even if you take a copy of the magazine home from the store primarily to be inspired about second-hand, you also get the content about children's rights work and a direct receipt of how the money from second-hand makes a difference for children around the world, says Tomas Bjöersdorff, CEO Erikshjälpen Second Hand .
Author: Patricia Franzén
Anna Lönn Lundbäck becomes the new chairman of the board of the children's rights organization Erikshjälpen. Anna is looking forward to taking the organization into the next phase, so that Erikshjälpen can grow and do more for more children in the world.
The decision to appoint Anna Lönn Lundbäck as the new chairman of the board was taken by Erikshjälpen's board on Thursday, May 24.
- "It is such a pleasure to hand over the gavel to Anna! With her energy, her solid experience, her sharp analysis and her big heart, she will mean a lot to Erikshjälpen, says Cecilia Hjorth Attefall, who is now leaving the board after ten years, of which just over eight years as chairman.
I am very grateful that today the organization is well equipped
During Cecilia Hjort Attefall's years as chairman, Erikshjälpen has been characterized by strong growth and a high rate of change.
- "I have been on a fantastic journey together with Erikshjälpen. I feel great gratitude that the organization today is well equipped to continue the important work of giving life to children's dreams, says Cecilia Hjorth Attefall.
She emphasizes that the organization is currently in a favorable position for a change of chairman. A number of major processes have been completed, both in terms of idea development and practical issues, and a situation of stability offers good opportunities to start the next phase of Erikshjälpen's development.
- It is with great humility and joy that I take over as the new Chairman of the Board. Erikshjälpen works with the most important of important, children's rights. To continue this work together with all employees, volunteers, donors and other stakeholders is a privilege and a great responsibility, says Anna Lönn Lundbäck.
We will continue to grow to do more for more people
Anna has been a member of the Erikshjälpen Foundation's board since 2016 and has also previously been a member of the board of Erikshjälpen Second Hand, which means that she knows the business well.
A key role in child rights and Second Hand
The Erikshjälpen Foundation, with a focus on children's rights, and Erikshjälpen Second Hand work closely together and have a combined turnover of 440 million Swedish kronor (SEK). Erikshjälpen has extensive work in 18 countries, including a growing social work in Sweden, fundraising and event activities and the ambition to mobilize commitment and opinion to break the vulnerability of children. With Erikshjälpen Second Hand's 63 stores, Erikshjälpen is part of an important network of socially committed parishes and associations. The chairman of the foundation has an overall key role in all this.
- Erikshjälpen is a major player in many ways as we have extensive operations both in Sweden and internationally. We will continue to grow to be able to do more for more people and we will do it with quality and strongly rooted in our values, says Anna Lönn Lundbäck.
Handing over the baton
Anna Lönn Lundbäck will take up her new role immediately after Thursday's board meeting. Cecilia Hjorth Attefall will leave the board completely and will focus on her municipal political commitments in Jönköping and on the work in the consulting company, Solidus AB, she runs together with her husband.
- Cecilia has made a strong, indelible mark on the development of Erikshjälpen. Her colorful commitment, wise analysis and unifying leadership in a rare combination have taken the organization forward. We are as colleagues and board deeply grateful to her and wish her all the best in the future, says Erikshjälpens Secretary-General Daniel Grahn.
Facts about Anna Lönn Lundbäck
- Anna Lönn Lundbäck is 45 years old and lives with her family in Gothenburg.
- Member of the Board of Erikshjälpen (the foundation) since 2016.
- Member of the Board of Erikshjälpen Second Hand 2009-2013.
- Degree in social work and International Master of Science in Social work.
Author
Elin Jonsson
Author
Person responsible for the case
Sara Andersson
Coordinator
