Closing the year with gratitude

As the year comes to a close, we’ve found ourselves doing what many of us do at this time of year: slowing down a little and looking back at the year behind us.

Climate change can feel heavy. It does not take a break for winter, and the worries it brings are real. It would be dishonest to pretend they disappear just because it’s December and the year is at an end, but when we reflect on this past year at the Hub what stays with us most strongly isn’t just the weight of it all. It’s the people. The ideas and conversations shared over hot meals, cups of coffee or mugs of tea. The moments of learning, creativity, and the growing belief that change is possible when we act together.

Over the past year, we’ve seen so many different ways that people in Midlothian and beyond are choosing to show up. From local conversations and projects to national gatherings with climate hubs from across Scotland, from learning new skills to marching side by side in the streets, this year has been about strengthening connections and collaboration. Along the way, we welcomed 17 new members, bringing our network to 56 groups, which feels like a strong sign of that shared momentum.

A big part of the year has been about building the foundations for longer-term work. We started four thematic Circles and watched ideas begin to take shape. Biodiversity conversations grew into a community garden network and a wildlife corridors group, now actively exploring how we can restore and reconnect nature across Midlothian. Our Energy & Heat Circle led us into a new collaboration with the East Lothian, West Lothian and Edinburgh Climate Action Hubs, with CommonWatt now exploring opportunities for community-owned renewable energy that ensures wealth says local. In Reuse, Share & Repair, we’ve been listening, learning and piloting our first uniform swap, while thinking about how to grow capacity in the year ahead. And through Food, we shared our first community meal, centred on plant-based food and connection, with more to come.

We also spent time learning and sharing. We’ve listened to climate stories and turned them into art with Dalkeith Arts. We read, wrote and imagined together through our climate writing competition. We met over 250 people at Vogrie Pogrie, began building stronger links with Community Councils, and worked with Forward Mid to explore the connections between disability and climate change. And we showed up beyond Midlothian too. We joined thousands of others at the Climate Mass Lobby, Scotland Demands Better march and at the biggest climate march Glasgow has seen since COP26.

Alongside this, we tried to support our network in practical ways. This year we distributed over £15,000 in seedcorn grants across 22 projects, created practical guides on funding and adaptation, and hosted trainings on climate literacy, conservation skills, facilitation techniques, and volunteer recruitment. We also brought people together through community meals, a Big Blether and a film screening with Buglife.

In a year where division and anger have often dominated the headlines, moments shared mattered deeply. They reminded us that climate action isn’t just about policies and plans, it’s about finding each other, learning from one another, and bringing that energy back into our own communities. None of this happened by accident, and none of it happened because of one organisation or a small group of people. It happened because you showed up. Because you came to meetings after long days. Because you shared ideas, asked questions, volunteered your time, trusted us with funding, or simply stayed engaged when capacity was low.

So as we head into the end of the year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you. Climate change can feel overwhelming, especially at the end of a long year, but it can also be deeply hopeful. Looking back, what stands out is not just what we’ve done, but how we’ve done it. We’re proud of what we’ve built so far, and hopeful about where we can go next with you in the year ahead.