Our Future Beeston is part of National Lottery funded Climate Action Leeds. Run by a steering group of local residents, in partnership with Health for All, it aims to generate and support local actions and projects, including those supporting sustainable energy and transport, reducing consumption, improving the natural environment and reducing the carbon footprint of individuals and communities. The project aims to make a meaningful and lasting difference, creating greener, cleaner, fairer, sustainable communities. Current actions include energy saving workshops and transformation of local binyards into community growing areas.
The project engages individuals and communities in innovative action to reclaim, recycle, educate, sharing good practice and initiatives which can hopefully be replicated elsewhere. An exciting example is the Marley View Demonstration Binyard in Beeston, a journey from an unusable, dangerous area where fly tipping was rife, to a welcoming space for local residents. Other activities included youth visits to Forest Gardens, hanging baskets installation at Trentham Park, facilitating local biodiversity, creating greener residential spaces, an Upcycling competition in Cross Flatts Park attracting local community groups. Upcycling workshops with Sew it Seams and Rags to Riches groups, demonstrated how to sew sustainably. Partners in the project run school uniform exchanges, Community Food Pantries and litter picks. Robust support from local elected members brings additional small funding opportunities in addition to a voice at strategic levels. Current plans include establishment of a network of over fifty small groups taking climate action to offer mutual support, inspiration, a model for other communities citywide and UK wide.
Although Climate Action Leeds comes to an end in 2025, we are working with local partners to secure continued funding to continue the valuable work.
For more information Contact Abi Paterson on: abi.paterson@healthforall.org.uk