Mens Shed Insulation and Heating
2023-12-21 • No comments • • Kinross-shire
At the Kinross and District Mens Shed,Charity we are based in an old uninsulated building.
We have a very good attendence , of individuals, and groups, .(eg- sparks)
Being a charity, we are reliant on grants and donations to enable us to continue our work, of looking after mens health and wellbeing.
Unfortunately, with the high cost of heating, a boiler that was condemned 2 years ago, shortage of radiators,and non existent insulation, we are throwing money through the roof,,-* trying to keep the building warm for our shedders.
In terms of helping those with the Cost of Living, our shed is open to all men and has no membership or session charge. We also run a warm spaces where we offer warm refreshments for all men and women. We provide information on welfare rights with support from local workers; heating costs through the Heat project and are planning to commence cooking classes in future.
If successful, in our application for funding, we would be able to insulate the roof , replace the boiler, with an efficient one, replace the radiators,and reduce our heating costs by a large margin, making the building far more efiicient, and confortable for the participating groups. By reducing our running costs, we will then have more funds left for our community work
Community Eco Events in Pitlochry and Aberfeldy
2023-12-13 • No comments • • Highland
Pitlochry Community Action Trust (PCAT) in conjunction with the Aberfeldy Development Trust seek funding to stage two Eco Fairs, one in each town, next April (2024). The purpose of an Eco Fair is to provide opportunities for local people to engage with organisations and individuals who can help them use energy more efficiently, reduce their energy bills and their environmental footprint and help promote a more sustainable lifestyle to the whole community. The use of sustainable transport, including public transport, active travel, e-bikes and electric vehicles will be a theme of our next Eco Fair. Sustainable food, reduction of food waste and sustainable gardening along with reducing packaging waste and recycling are also part of our agenda.
Overall objectives are: to reduce the environmental impact of individuals and therefore the community. Specifically: • To encourage household energy saving through local energy advisors such as The HEAT Project, Warm Connections, Home Energy Scotland and Warm Homes Scotland. • To promote a more sustainable lifestyle to local people through local food initiatives such as Pitlochry Garden Share, • To promote active transport through businesses such as Escape Route (e-bikes) and government grants available to support the purchase of e-bikes, • To promote more sustainable travel, through public transport, Community Car Shares and electric vehicles.
We want to stage the Eco Fairs in our Town Halls partnered by The HEAT Project and Warm Connections. We need to hire these facilities and promote the event throughout our communities and outlying areas. Eco Fairs are family friendly events, and we want to put on activities for children and provide refreshments from sustainable sources to encourage families to attend the Fairs. We will market the Fairs in local magazines, in our schools, on our websites (www.pitlochryaction.org.uk/ and www.aberfeldydt.org/), as well as on those of our contributors, and through the distribution of flyers.
Participating organisations: The following organisations participated in a Pitlochry Energy Fair in November 2023. All reported that information was shared with enough individuals for it to be a worthwhile investment of their time and expressed interest in future events. The HEAT Project, Home Energy Scotland, Eolas Architects, Studio East Architects, RW Bell Green Energy, IS Plumbing and Heating Fife (Vaillant), Pitlochry Garden Share, and Escape Route.
In total around 50 people attended the event, with the Heat Project signing up 13 new clients. Activities for children enabled parents to engage with contributors in a relaxed way and free refreshments encouraged them to stay longer and discuss the potential of their new knowledge with one another and contributors.
Eco Fairs: If we receive funding we can expand on what we achieved on both our stalls in Pitlochry Coop and November’s event where we engaged with our community about what local support they needed in regard to both the ongoing Energy Crisis which an element of the Cost of Living Crisis and include an event in Aberfeldy and invite other organisations to participate including:
MG electric vehicles, who have already expressed their interest, Other electric vehicle dealers, Enterprise Car Share and CoMoUK Car Share, The Atholl Centre Food Bank and Community Larder, Breadalbane Community Larder, Handam Refill Shop, Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters and Wasted Degrees, Birdie’s Clothes Shop and Roobedoo Sustainable clothes, homeware and gifts, Aberfeldy & Pitlochry Repair Cafes, Healthiest Town, Aberfeldy and Citizens’ Advice, Dun Coillich Community Land Trust, Aberfeldy & Pitlochry Climate Cafes, and PKC Climate Action Team.
Outcomes: We will monitor the total number of people attending and seek feedback from participating organisations as to the number of clients arising from the Eco Fairs. We will produce a short report on each Fair for both Trusts and for Green Living should you fund us.