Getting Started
Find ways in which your community group or organisation can make a difference
Getting started
Whether you are already part of an existing group or thinking about starting your own group or project, there are plenty of resources to help you. If there’s any specific support you think we could provide you or if you have any questions, you’re always welcome to get in touch with us at hub@midlothianclimateaction.org.uk
Starting a group or project
Getting started as a new group with Midlothian Voluntary Action's great resources.
Funding
Get top tips and insights on Climate Action Funding from our joint workshop with Midlothian Voluntary Action and find available funding pots on our funding opportunities list
Running a Charity
Third Force News have released a guide on how to run a Charity or Social Enterprise.
Community Engagement
Talking climate Handbook, a useful guide on how to have conversations about climate change by Climate Outreach.
Climate for Change Conversation guide includes tips to help frame the right approach to a conversation about climate change.
Communicating Climate Justice with Young People explore how young people across Europe understand and respond to climate justice messaging, alongside key insights and recommendations for how advocates can more effectively and powerfully communicate climate justice.
VOiCE is planning and recording software that assists individuals, organisations and partnerships to design and deliver effective community engagement.
Green Finances
Make your money matter - switch to a bank or pension provider that doesn't finance the climate crisis or tell your current bank to do better.
Reduce your footprint
Reduce your group's carbon emissions and engage your community with SCVO's Growing Climate Confidence.
Be Inspired!
Be inspired to start your next climate action project! Have look at the amazing projects our members have carried out through our Seedcorn Grants.
Roslin Guerrilla Gardeners started a pilot project called “A tree for everyone” and planted 16 Scottish heritage apple trees from Scottish Fruit Trees in various community spaces across the village.
The Edgehead Village Committee utilised the grant funding to create a community orchard in the village park, made up of 10 different, hardy fruit trees. These trees will provide free fruit for all park users for many years to come, as well as providing food and habitat to local wildlife.
Friends of Roslin Moat used their Seedcorn grant to buy tools and equipment for volunteers to use when maintaining and improving the habitats around the curling pond and repointing the bird hide with lime mortar. The curling pond was successfully cleared. The pond is at the edge of the village and is an important haven for wildlife and for local residents and walkers to visit.
Health in Mind used their Seedcorn Grant to get tool that supported them in making their Branching Out programme self-sustaining and reach even more participants, using conservation focused work as a way to enable people to gain experience, further skills and help them manage their mental health and wellbeing.
Branching Out is a 12-week course developed by Scottish Forestry that covers forest skills, nature walks, plant identification, foraging, conservation, and more.
Newtongrange Development Trust spent their Seedcorn grant on items that gave their online charity shop greater capacity, such as clothes rails, storage boxes, a steam cleaner and an ipad to photograph and post items online, allowing volunteers to work more independently and efficiently.
Rosewell Development Trust’s grant focused on bee conservation and biodiversity awareness for their community. The grant enabled collaboration with a local beekeeper to conduct educational talks and workshops aimed at raising awareness around the
importance of bees and their role in the local ecosystem.
1st Rosewell Brownies used their grant to buy a renewable energy demonstration kit to teach their members aged 5-14 about renewable energy. This fun and interactive way to explore green energy sources, such as wind and solar, will not only benefit current members, but also members for years to come and other local children’s groups such as other Brownies units across Midlothian and Scouting groups.
This space is being updated – make sure to come back for more amazing projects.
