Kirkcaldy gets Greener

Greener Kirkcaldy, a community lead organisation specialising in lowering the town’s carbon footprint, has rebranded and is re-launching later this month.

The Greener Kirkcaldy initiative started in 2008, set up by members of Friends of the Earth Fife who wanted to do more practical work with the people of the region. A drop in centre was then opened in Kirkcaldy in 2011, but moved to the current smaller premises in 2012 due to cuts to funding. This year however, the organisation opened their own Fair Trade shop to raise profits and allow them to rebrand Greener Kirkcaldy, and make it more accessible to the public.

 

Although specialising in giving energy advice to those on a low income looking to lower their bills, Greener Kirkcaldy are about more than saving money. “We are just trying to give out clear and simple messages about energy, food, and transport,” said Russell, senior development worker for the organisation, “this is an opportunity to teach businesses and people about renewable energy.”

Alongside their drop in centre and volunteers available for home visits, the organisation has two ongoing gardening projects in the town. Located in Ravenscraig Walled Gardens in Dysart, and Dunniker Park, these are intended to teach the local people about the benefits of growing your own produce. “We have over 30 volunteers split between our projects. We even have our own team of bloggers.” Greener Kirkcaldy have also promoted renewable energy sources to homes across the town. Across their ongoing projects, they claim they have “definitely helped more than 1000 homes”.

As part of their new rebranding, the organisation is hoping to encourage even more green thinking in Kirkcaldy and Fife. Starting in 2015, they intend to promote the benefits of fuel efficient driving and electric vehicles. They have signed a two year lease for an electric vehicle and hope that this will inspire more affluent members and visitors to consider a greener car themselves.  They also have plans coming together to start a community food hub in the town. This would teach local people about food and growing, give cooking workshops in a training kitchen, provide a meeting space for the community and perhaps even feature a shop selling greener produce.

On Saturday  11^th October, the high street hub is officially re-launching, and members of the public are welcome to attend from 10am.

Learn more about Greener Kirkcaldy and get involved here:
http://www.greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk/