SEAD (Scottish Education and Action for Development)

Background

Alyth, a rural community of some 3,000 residents in Perthshire were spurred into action following the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in 2006. Starting with just 3 people, the group approached the larger and existing Alyth Environment Group, and established itself as a sub committee of this body, meaning that no new constitution would be needed. Using this modus operandi, the climate change group has been able to engage the support of other interested parties and the core volunteer base has grown to 10.

In order to increase its reach into the community and across sectors, the group also approached and brought on board the Alyth Business Federation, the local eco-school and the eco congregation church. All this activity caught the attention of Scottish Hydro Electric who chose the community as its exemplar Scottish town to carry out an energy efficiency competition. With a £30,000 community prize, and an upfront £5000 to spend on publicity, Alyth have produced a family of branded banners and posters, as well as a Blue Peter style high visibility carbon reduction thermometer. The next target for branded inclusion is the local retail trade.

What are they doing

In terms of community action, the first event that the group held was an Energy Saving Fair in their town hall. Over 25 stalls of varying energy saving devices were present, and the day attracted a large turnout, with over 100 energy reduction pledges being signed by residents, and the Alyth Charter being signed by major agencies.

The group has found that local residents will come to an event if it is exciting, creative and well advertised. Fail on one of these, and the result is a poor level of engagement for the amount of effort put in. The Energy Saving Trust CAFÉ project was particularly felt to be an excellent source of community engagement techniques. To date, the group estimates that about 500 people will have engaged in some way in the project. The next plans are to offer a limited number of household energy audits and take infrared pictures of engaged properties to locate escaping energy! The group is also looking to get lift sharing scheme going. However, it has to date, been unsuccessful because of inflexibilities in people’s working hours.

Alyth Top Tip

Don’t be too heavy - engage your community in an entertaining manner

Contact details

Web address: www.alythclimateactiontown.co.uk