For today's Spotlight Feature we are heading back to Kirriemuir with our focus on the community led group; Sustainable Kirriemuir (SK), and celebrating the incredible things this Charity Registered Organisation has achieved in 5 short years!
It all started in 2019 when 2 people organised a public meeting for the local community to discuss the positive climate action that the Kirriemuir people could take. A constituted group was formed and what began as a desire to 'do something good' quickly gathered momentum.
Sustainable Kirriemuir applied for and received a large amount of money from the Scottish Government which allowed them to employ skilled locals from the very beginning, creating projects for the community and building on bringing their vision to life: that Kirriemuir is a sustainable, net zero and thriving community.
It's been an upward trajectory ever since.
There are so many projects that SK have facilitated over the last 5 years, all of which have been supported through a variety of funding sources, the SK team, its Trustees & their 100+ marvellous volunteers.
There are too many to list here (!!), but a few of these projects include: setting up 3 school market gardens, a 'swapshop' facebook page, hosting climate cafes and bike repair workshops, creating a seed library, forming a Restoring Nature group, and much much more! (You can read about some past projects here and find out about their upcoming events here, )
As a result, asides from the impressive official website 'stats' that detail the tonnes of food grown and waste reduced, thousands of people in the Kirriemuir area have been able to benefit in some way - from learning about sustainable living, getting involved in a meaningful project or going along to a community event, to sharing their skills and helping improve the local environment.
It's hard not to feel heartened and inspired by all that this group has created within the Kirriemuir Community, and it will probably not surprise you to hear that others have noticed and been inspired too.
SK was selected, as one of a handful of Scottish Projects backed by The National Lottery Community Fund, to showcase their work to representatives of the Scottish Parliament!
The Angus Climate Hub are delighted to have been able to provide some recent support, in the smallest of ways, through our Change for Good Fund.
Sustainable Kirriemuir was able to use this funding to create promotional materials & informational leaflets (amongst other things), some of which actually accompanied them to the Scottish Parliament! You can see them in action below.
Sustainable Kirriemuir is yet another brilliant demonstration of what is possible when people get together and take action. We can't wait to see what they have planned next!
If you are local to the area there are a number of ways you can get involved, right now, with Sustainable Kirriemuir. You can volunteer to help in the community garden, bring your toddler along to the Kirrie Dumplings every Friday, or get involved in organising/helping out at the seasonal Apple Day and Tattie Day Events.
You can also keep up to date with their news and any upcoming projects by following them on facebook or instagram.
*All Photo credits - Sustainable Kirriemuir *
SPOTLIGHT FEATURE - There's a lot happening around Angus where people are getting together and doing great things with and for their community. We want to shine a SPOTLIGHT, sharing and celebrating what is happening in the wider community. We hope this may inspire you to get involved, connect with others, learn a new skill or even set up your own group!