Free Event for Community Organisations on the Green Deal Scheme

Changeworks and the Scottish Government are running two free events for community organisations about the UK Government’s Green Deal scheme. These are on on the 16th of November in Edinburgh and 23rd of November in Inverness.

The Green Deal will completely transform the UK’s approach to making homes more energy efficient. However, it’s not yet clear how communities and organisations could be involved, or how it will impact on local efforts to reduce climate change.

The events are being held so that communities are informed and interested in contributing to the UK consultation taking place later this year.

Edinburgh
9.30am – 2.00pm, Wednesday 16 November, COSLA Conference Centre

Inverness 
11.30am – 4.00pm, Wednesday 23 November, SCVO, Fairways House

Orkney, Shetland and Stornoway – via video conference and web access
11.30am – 4.00pm, Wednesday 23 November, various locations
If you would like to join the video conference and web access from a different location please contact Catherine Fong on 0131 538 7950.


ABOUT THE EVENT

The UK Government is about to launch a consultation into the Green Deal. This event will give you the opportunity to:

• Find out everything currently known about the Green Deal and the consultation 
• Find out about the potential opportunities for community organisations 
• Hear what the UK Government says about the scheme 
• Discuss the proposals in depth with other community groups 
• Decide how and if you want to respond to the consultation 
• Contribute to a report that will be sent to the Scottish Government and the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change

The Scottish Government is helping to fund this event, which is one of a series of events being held for stakeholders.


HOW TO BOOK

Click here to go to the Changeworks website and download a booking form for the events.

Spaces are limited and will be given on a first come first served basis to members of community groups and development trusts.

For more information about Changeworks and the work they do with community organisations please click here.

If you have any queries at all please contact Catherine Fong on 0131 538 7950.

Eco-Congregation Scotland Network Seminar

Representatives of seven of our local networks gathered in Stirling on Saturday 10th of September to discuss how they could support and be supported by our central office.

The agenda included:

How ECS can help and support networks?
Led by: Gordon Hudson

• Communication – from ECS, between network
• members and between networks
• Support (developing the structure, materials and/or
• hands on help)
• Training
• Your ideas

How can networks help grow the movement?
Led by: Margaret Warnock

• Communication – spreading good practice
• Help with award assessment process
• Administration: minute taking, distribution and
• meeting notification
• Your ideas

A set of notes and conclusions from the meeting can be downloaded here:
http://uploads.ecocongregationscotland.org/assets/network-seminar-meeting-notes-final.pdf


Photographs of the meeting

The venue for the meeting Stirling Methodist Church has two Eco-Congregation awards.

The group in discussion

Christian Aid and Eco-Congregation Scotland Roadshows

As part of our partnership with Christian Aid we will be undertaking a series of roadshows, hosted by local Eco-Congregation networks.

These roadshows will give local churches the opportunity to find out more about climate change and how they can combat it through  working with Christian Aid and Eco-Congregation Scotland. The meetings will include presentations from both organisations and short workshops. This is an opportunity to find out how your congregation can take part in Christian Aid's campaigns and take practical steps to reduce their impact on people living in developing countries.

The meetings are being hosted by local Eco-Congregation Scotland networks, but they are also aimed at churches who are not currently taking part in the Eco-Congregation programme. This is your opportunity to invite along other local congregations and get them involved. We will be posting details here of these roadshows as they are confirmed. Please help us publicise them and invite your neighbouring churches.

List of roadshows:

Saturday 12th November 2011, Inverness 10am–1pm (TBC) at Ness Bank Church

Friday 23rd September 2011, Perth (TBC)

An invitation to a Green Day Out

The South Lanarkshire Network of Eco-Congregation Scotland is hosting a “Green Day Out” at the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre on Saturday 4th June and you and your whole church family are invited!

Click Here to view or download the flyer.

The event will run from 11am – 4pm. Come for an hour or two or for the whole day. You can bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful grounds or have your lunch in the centre café.

There will be a lot going on all day:

• Children’s activities
• Guided walks for all ages
• Displays and stalls helping you to care better for creation at home and in your daily lives: find out how you can:
• - respond to climate change and saving your 5% (CO2) at church and at home
• - get young people involved and what our children want us to do to protect their future
• - help look after local wildlife
• How to become an eco-congregation

The South Lanarkshire network of Eco-Congregation have organised the Eco Fair and you will find an exciting range of stalls to answer your questions and provide expert advice. Everyone is welcome and entry to the event and all the activities above is free!

Many Christians are concerned about the environment but don't know what they can do. Eco-Congregation Scotland is an ecumenical charity which offers a programme to help congregations and parishes understand environmental issues and make appropriate practical and spiritual responses. There are now over 270 churches across the country helping the church put into practice what it preaches by tackling these key issues of our times. (see www.ecocongregationscotland.org)

The David Livingstone Centre is a National Trust for Scotland property set in 20 acres of parkland with a children's play area. For further information see http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/23/. The address of the centre is 165 Station Road, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire G72 9BY. It is close to Blantyre rail station and accessible from buses, for directions see http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/David-Livingstone-Centre/Getting-there/.

We look forward to seeing you on 4th June. For further information contact Stuart at the David Livingstone Centre: 0844 493 2207 or Margaret at Eco-Congregation Scotland.

Click Here to view or download the flyer.