Looking back on 2022
2022 was the year that things started to return to normal following two years of disruption due to lockdown. Last year also came with challenges, particularly the emergence of the cost of living crisis as energy bills rocketed. Here are some of our highlights from the past year, as well as some things we’re looking forward to in 2023.
In January, we became a Gold Climate Literate Organisation, accredited by the Carbon Literacy Trust. This certificate recognises that we are improving carbon literacy in our community. In the same month we achieved a bronze level Equality Pathfinder award from Fife Centre for Equalities. This demonstrates our commitment to equality and diversity.
We published the Fife Community Cycling Action Plan as part of Climate Action Fife in February. This visionary report proposes ten actions that are likely to get more people commuting by bike in Fife.
March saw the return of our hot, sit-down Community Meal after Covid restrictions eased. We also started a pop-up café for people accessing our pantry.
In June we were able to share the exciting announcement that the National Lottery Climate Action Fund had awarded our Climate Action Fife partnership project over £2 million to deliver carbon reduction activities over the next five years.
Greener Kirkcaldy volunteer George McDermid was announced as the deserving winner of Active Travel Volunteer of the Year at Paths for All’s Volunteer Awards in September.
Also in September, and as the cost of energy bills rose, the Cosy Kingdom energy advice service launched Cosy Chat, a partnership with community radio station K107fm. This is helping to share practical advice on reducing bills, as well as countering the misinformation around energy use that is rife on social media.
October saw the return of Greener Kirkcaldy’s popular Apple Day at Ravenscraig Walled Garden for the first time since 2019.
In November we held our Annual Gathering and AGM in our community building at 8 East Fergus Place. Dozens of people attended to hear more about our work and get involved in developing our strategic plan for the next five years.
Finally, in December we were able to share the news that Lang Toun Cycles Community Bike Shop has achieved Revolve accreditation. This is a nationally recognised mark for quality in second hand retail.
2022 in numbers
- 90 volunteers gave 3,797 hours of their time.
- Aound 8,000 people engaged with Greener Kirkcaldy’s events and activities.
- We organised 116 events including cooking classes, led bike rides, gardening workshops and more.
- 3,105 community meals served at the Lang Spoon Community Kitchen at 8 East Fergus Place
- Nine tonnes of good food redistributed through the Lang Toun Larder and Community Fridge
- 1,545 handy service visits to households throughout Fife.
- £1,5057,821 in financial savings to households through our Handy Service, debt clearance and fuel top ups.
- 3687 energy advice sessions over the telephone and 935 home visits, totalling 4,622 unique energy advice sessions to households across Fife.
- We serviced and repaired 325 bikes and refurbished 162 donated bikes at Lang Toun Cycles.
An exciting year ahead
2023 is another exciting year for Greener Kirkcaldy. Here are some of the things we’re looking forward to:
We’ll be developing and publishing our new Strategic Plan – our routemap for the next five years. We’ve carried out a community consultation which has attracted around 300 responses and we’re confident that we have spoken to a good mix of people from all walks of life and all parts of the Kirkcaldy area.
We will be welcoming a new Chief Executive to the charity as Suzy Goodsir steps down at the end of March.
2023 will see the return of our popular walking programme. Volunteers will help us run led walks for a total of 100 people, showcasing active travel routes, increasing skills and confidence and connecting people with the environment. We’ll tailor these activities to different groups, for example women, LGBT+ people, ethnic minorities and those with disabilities or additional needs, ensuring that they are inclusive and accessible to all.
We’ll be running more more cooking classes for more people. We’ll have a new programme of Plate up for Fife workshops showing people how to make climate-friendly food choices in our everyday lives. We’ll be showcasing our Chefs of the Future project with Fife College at the Adam Smith Food and Drink Fair in June. And we have an exciting programme of cooking workshops coming up including Kids Cooking Clubs and classes looking a range of world cuisines.
We’re also continuing to support households in Fife with free and impartial energy advice and helping them to reduce their carbon footprints. We’re delivering workshops at 16 primary schools throughout Fife as part of the Boosting Budgets programme.
Support us in 2023
There are lots of ways to support Greener Kirkcaldy’s work and help us achieve more for our community in 2023. Please join us, volunteer or make a donation.
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