RenCAN Hub 2024-25 in Review

In April 2024 Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP) received Scottish Government funding to do initial scoping work towards launching a Climate Hub in Renfrewshire, as part of the National Climate Hub Network.

After a successful scoping period, LEAP received full hub funding in August 2024 for Renfrewshire Climate Action Network Hub. Our first priority was to launch and support a Climate Action Network for Renfrewshire. We also began activities under the following themed strands: nature restoration, circular economy, food and farming and climate education. 

Network Building

In September we launched the Hub and Renfrewshire Climate Action Network (RenCAN) at Paisley Town Hall with 70 attendees from 27 organisations. ‘Wee talks’ were delivered by key partners like Sniffer (Verture), Pachedu, Eadha, Propagate, Inchinnan Development Trust and Darkwood Crew highlighting priorities for community climate action. For many attendees, this event marked their first opportunity to connect with other groups working on climate initiatives in Renfrewshire. A video about the launch can be viewed here: RenCAN Launch September 2024

By the end of March 2025, RenCAN has built a network of 64 member organisations and 38 individual members, which demonstrates the need and buy-in for community driven climate action. We’ve engaged over 4000 people, building awareness and exchanging skills / resources and fostering connections through the delivery of 86 events, training, themed workshops, and outreach sessions at Paisley Library and The Tannahill Centre, Ferguslie Park. In November we launched our Small Grants Fund and have distributed £16,500 supporting the development of 33 local projects with shared climate action goals.

Nature Restoration

We have partnered with Eadha Enterprises and Clyde Muirshiel Rangers, with volunteers from Kairos Women+, Pachedu, The Star Project, Circle Recovery Group and ‘The Locherwoodies’ to deliver 19 tree planting and conservation sessions across Renfrewshire sites. In doing so, we have engaged with 203 volunteers who’ve delivered around 5400 physical conservation results i.e. tree/wildflowers planted, tree guards removed, metres of hedge trimmed etc.

Reflecting on participants’ thoughts and experiences and the positive impact of the tree planting sessions, here are a few quotes:

“Absolutely loved being in nature with all the lovely Kairos women, yourself (Hub Development Officer) of course. And the lovely Pat (Clyde Muirshiel Ranger) was the icing on the cake. Learning things and maybe some of it will stick. And I’ve got my two Elders! I’m going to put them in the greenhouse for stratification.”

“It was absolutely lovely, really nice to be out in the fresh air, surrounded by greenery and trees, and it felt good to benefit the place. It always fascinates me that from a wee seed, something will grow. I’d definitely come back.”

“I enjoyed being outdoors and meeting new people.”

Circular Economy

In collaboration with partners such as ReMode and Sewing2gether All Nations we have delivered 16 clothes repair and upcycling workshops, engaging with 161 people. In partnership with Own Yer Bike we have also delivered 2 bike repair workshops engaging 17 people and repairing 18 bikes.

These workshops empowered individuals to adopt sustainable habits through practical skills like sewing and upcycling, with several sharing their enjoyment of learning new and meaningful skills that can benefit the environment. Participants contributed to final projects, including a utility belt and a larger Renfrewshire textile piece, and shared how upcycling has become a valuable part of their lives:

“I enjoyed being part of the 4-week workshop. I have not used a sewing machine since I Was a child in the 70's. It brought back many memories of sewing with my aunt who was a machinist by trade. I would be allowed to sew long pieces of material together and use the chalk to make marks around a pattern. It was a lovely experience hearing the noise of the machines all going together and people talking about their sewing experiences and their future dreams of making/ recycling clothes. Who knows the workshop may have reignited something in me again to try my hand at making something else new from something old.”

“Even when I'm looking for new clothes, I never buy new ones anymore - it's just the way forward. There are many scraps out there, but I try to use the scraps in the house as well. I think it's really important to use what we already have and upcycle.”

Similar to the tree planting and conservation sessions, the secondary benefits experienced by participants are highlighted by the following feedback:

“I’ve never sewn before but even though it was a challenge it felt really therapeutic. I got into a nice calm headspace and really enjoyed just working away with my hands, I don’t always get to be as creative as I want to so it was a really nice change.”

“I think it’s good for me because I work from home and I could literally spend the whole week never stepping over my doorstep, if I didn’t have a reason to leave the house. So yeah it’s good, it’s invigorating to meet other people.”

Climate Education 

In partnership with ‘Sustain the Change,’ we have developed a Renfrewshire place-based climate learning pilot, and have so far run 3 tailored workshops hosted by Pachedu and Accord Hospice, engaging 41 people. Further workshops are in the offing. We are also developing a digital training platform to be launched in summer 2025.

Food and Farming

Community food - The Hub have engaged Propagate to identify regional food needs, foster connections, and co-design future plans through mapping, networking events, and stakeholder collaboration. Key activities included setting up composting systems at The Star Project, hosting workshops, revitalizing the ‘Growing Grounds Forum’ boosting engagement, skill-sharing and potential new projects. Partnerships have been built with stakeholders like Renfrewshire HSCP, Renfrewshire Council and Fair Food Renfrewshire. Connections between groups, such as Star Project and Neilston's Blether, reduced food waste, while progress was made on allotment plans and practical events like apple pruning workshops. 

Through the GRI Lag Fund the facilitator secured funding of £5355 for six Jora composters and materials to make maturation bays. Two for Blether in Neilston, East Renfrewshire, two for Lochwinnoch Larder and two for Creating a Sustainable Gryffe. Engagement over the period included 40 organisations, 64 individuals and 12  stakeholders, supporting community resilience and sustainable practices.

Regenerative farming - The Hub have engaged Propagate to facilitate discussions among farmers on regenerative farming, identify barriers, and develop actionable solutions whilst building trust and relationships with local farmers. Key activities have been working on outreach, building contacts and trust with farmers and stakeholders in Renfrewshire. 

Three Farm walks have been organised, at Gryffe Wraes, Tandlemuir, Brodoclea. Engagement over the period included 31 farms and organisations, and 35 stakeholders.