Pencil pushers making a difference

THEY say the pen is mightier than the sword, and ethical stationery brand Vent For Change hopes it really can make a difference by helping children worldwide access education.

Founded by environmental entrepreneur Evan Lewis in 2014, the Bristol based company started out making pencils from recycled CD cases.

It went on to expand its products and now has an awardwinning range of eco-friendly stationery including notebooks (right) made from reclaimed coffee-cup fibres.

May 22 will be Vent’s third ‘Share a Pencil’ day, providing a fun and interactive way for teachers and pupils to explore the reasons why millions of children globally are still missing out on an education — and why it matters. Thousands of free pencils will be distributed to schools and communities worldwide through a network of volunteers and non-profit organisations. Proceeds from every Vent product sold in the UK go towards global education projects with the money generated helping to rebuild schools, pay teachers and provide essential materials. ventforchange.co.uk