SUSTAINABLE OVERTON
working as a community to combat climate change
THE SO TOOLKIT
10. ONGOING EVALUATION
We nearly forgot to celebrate our first birthday (October 11th 2020) as we were so busy. It was a good point to pause and take note of all that we had achieved – as well as a few things that we had not. In a non-COIVD world this would have been a team party and celebration. We settled for a zoom “pat on the pack” and motivating email. Not quite the same, but we will certainly look forward to a proper party hopefully sometime soon!
LEARNING POINT:
EVALUATION
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It’s really important to make everyone feel a part of the team, and to thank people for their great work.
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Always find time to email, WhatsApp, phone, zoom or whatever, to tell individuals what fantastic work they have done- e.g. designed a brilliant leaflet, got a plastic free business on board.
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It doesn’t take more than a few seconds to zap a “fantastic!” or “love the leaflet!” to someone. It’s great when the whole team do it. People like to feel appreciated.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR FIRST YEAR
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We’ve set up a BEAD plastics recycling point in conjunction with St. Mary’s Church in Overton.
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6 of us have been trained up as Hampshire County Council Food Waste Champions.
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Promoted green and money saving tips in our News & Views monthly newsletters.
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Run the Green Bin Challenge at our weekend markets, and sent a recycling communication out.
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Helped Overton Primary School undertake SAS plastic free schools campaign.
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Ran a Plastic Free July campaign, and a couple of litter picks.
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Had a virtual Green Fair – where articles, workshops, and videos were posted on our website.
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Conducted a Survey Monkey questionnaire, to research what residents want from us.
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2 free tree packs from the Woodland Trust, being planted soon.
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The Repair Café ready to launch, hopefully by Spring 2021.
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We’ve become Clean Air Day supporters, alongside our walk to school and no car idling campaigns.
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Applying for an RCEF grant for solar PV on agricultural and industrial buildings. Engaged the community – support for us owning our own community energy.
THINGS WE’RE PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR, AND THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO GET OFF THE GROUND
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A zero food waste challenge
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A tool/equipment share scheme
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A nappy library for Overton
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There is actually a toy library already set up in Whitchurch but needs someone to run it
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A Food Waste prevention concept – will save money on food bills
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A returnable cup scheme (for all of Basingstoke? Hampshire?)
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The Repair Café - third time lucky to launch this! Shared insurance would be good here
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An energy switching workshop
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An energy efficiency workshop - save money on your bills – this could be done virtually perhaps
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A thermal camera imaging service – we are planning to purchase a couple of apps, load the onto phones, and lend out with a video for people, if we can make it work
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Looking at the possibility of Farmers Markets – local food and drink, shorten the supply chain
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A local eco shop – no plastic, buy grains/pulses etc loose – if we can attract one to Overton
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Our community energy project to progress
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Green cleaning
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Thank you for reading this – we hope you have found it of use. We hope that by sharing our learning with you, that you will find inspiration and motivation to start your own community climate change group in your parish, or reignite your current one. Also, that you can avoid some pitfalls, and progress more easily. We are also always interested in collaborating e.g. we’d love to start a Hampshire Cup concept, or a bulk buy of solar PV perhaps. Together we’re stronger! We are always happy to answer any questions, please contact us via our website.
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We wish you the very best of luck and would love to hear your learning too.
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Best wishes from the whole of the SO team.
