Climate Change Aware

 

Climate Change Aware was a one year project funded through the Local Action on Global Issues Fund to encourage Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.  The project used an Environmental Management System approach to work with the organisations over a number of sessions to address environmental issues of particular concern or relevance.  These included reducing waste, saving energy, Fairtrade and changing transport habits.

 

In total, five organisations took part in the project and made a number of changes.  For example, two organisations were able to introduce office recycling, whilst another two organisations undertook cycle training which enabled staff to use cycling more for short work journeys.

 

The final stage of the project for each organisation was to develop an Environmental Policy which will be valuable both in embedding the new practices into the organisations and in demonstrating environmental concern to grant funders.

 

For further information on this project, contact Mark Fishpool at markfishpool.mec@classmail.co.uk

 

Heritage Trails

The Heritage Trails project aimed to engage young people from youth groups in the town in developing walking and cycling routes across Middlesbrough, linking together the town’s principal heritage sites.  The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots Programme.

Three trail leaflets were published to encourage more people to visit and enjoy the town’s rich and varied heritage.  The leaflets included one walking trail and two cycling trails around the town.  The leaflets were produced by the young people with photography and design support and advice provided by students from Cleveland College of Art and Design.

One of the leaflets, produced by students from the Cathedral Youth Group, follows National Cycle Route 65 through the town from the Transporter Bridge to Coulby Newham.  The route links many of the most significant heritage features of Middlesbrough including the Town Hall, Albert Park, the Leisure Farm and Fairy Dell, once part of the Gunnergate estate. 

A walking trail has been developed linking Stewart Park and Ormesby Hall, whilst a second cycling trail follows the River Tees between Middlesbrough and Stockton.  The trails are also available in a DVD format.