Investing In Londoners "Breathe" 2015-16 Final Report

Investing In Londoners “Breathe” 2015-16 Final Report

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Table of Contents 1.

2.

3.

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... 4 Background .................................................................................................................... 6 Aims of the Project .......................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Overall Aims............................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Co-Production.......................................................................................................... 7 3.3 Six Communities ...................................................................................................... 8 3.4 Theory of Change .................................................................................................... 8 4. Case Studies ................................................................................................................. 10 4.1 Activities and Outcomes ......................................................................................... 20 4.2 Green Enterprise .................................................................................................... 22 4.3 Tackling Fuel Poverty .............................................................................................. 23 4.4 Green Space Initiative ............................................................................................. 24 4.5 Capacity Building and Resilience ............................................................................. 25 4.6 Support to BESN Champions .................................................................................. 26 4.7 Measuring Air Quality............................................................................................. 27 4.8 Measuring Impacts ................................................................................................. 28 4.9 Additional Activities................................................................................................ 29 4.10 A Fresh Perspective................................................................................................. 31 5. Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................... 32 5.1 Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 32 5.2 What worked well? ................................................................................................ 34 5.3 Recommendations.................................................................................................. 34

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London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) with the help of City Bridge Trust has developed BREATHE, a new initiative to actively engage people who would not normally consider taking an active role in conserving and improving the green environment.

A total of 2,880 people reached through project activities

4 green spaces supported

70 workshops delivered

92% of participants reported an increased level of new learning

46 Groups from 15 London Boroughs

9 additional grants secured, representing over ÂŁ140k of funding

83,000 saved from reduced energy bills

282 volunteer champions

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1. Executive summary Behind London's vibrant buzz, lie some of the starkest inequalities in health and environmental quality.

London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) were awarded £66,600 from City Bridge Trust to actively support “non green” groups to plan, develop and deliver their own programme of environmental educational activities to improve the local environment in six communities across London.

LSx has worked with a total 46 groups from 6 communities in the following ways: 1) Supporting 4 Green Space Initiatives in the London Borough of Wandsworth and in Hounslow.

2) Green Entrepreneurship in London Borough of Waltham Forest and Southwark - we trained 102 individuals from 14 groups who then went onto set up 24 green enterprises that now contribute to London’s circular economy.

3) Helping 508 households cope with tough times and help reduce their fuel bills with 72 champions trained reaching 1,873 people in Islington, Tower Hamlets, Haringey, Brent, Hackney Barnet,Croydon, Enfield, Merton and Sutton.

4) Building Community Resilience and supporting healthier lifestyles in the London Borough of Hounslow with four groups.

5) Supported local and regional policies including planning, waste, regeneration and health by working with community groups, health and well being boards, local councillors and MPs and assembly members in 5 boroughs (Wandsworth, Hounslow, Tower Hamlets, Merton and Waltham Forrest) and our community groups worked with members of the London Assembly to pose questions to the Mayor.

6) Measuring and acting on the Air Quality challenge in London Borough of Newham, Hounslow & Wandsworth.

Results o o o

2,880 people benefitted directly from our City Bridge Trust grant this year 282 champions trained 92% of participants report an increased understanding of and connection with their local environment

Our activities: o o o o o

75 events and workshops 10 bulletins 12 blogs Resulting in: 167 tonnes of CO2 saved 15 tonnes of waste saved 4

o o

ÂŁ83,000 saved (from reduced energy bills of households) 64 action plans created

Conclusions Our project took place during a particularly volatile and challenging political environment. The communities we worked with have fed-back their fears and ambitions for the future; these are centred on the following themes: o o

Community cohesion, maintaining local connections, maintaining the ability to reach out and support those most in need Being able to engage and respond to a challenging political environment

In particular: o o

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The 282 volunteers that we trained are keen to maintain their skills, including obtaining new qualifications; Ensuring the healthy communities in terms of food, healthy exercise, winter warmth and pollution is incredibly important. Particularly supporting strong pollution busting and open space policies in with the New Mayor and hopefully moving to new policies e.g. the new Clean Air Act ; The 102 individuals that were trained and the 24 new enterprises are keen to spread the word and further develop their local response to the circular economy has enabled some communities to become more resilient.

Recommendations 1)

Supporting Collaboration

It is clear that the frameworks to support collaboration and the sharing of resources and learning between groups are key. This means both financially and in the form of touch point organisations and events, intelligently managed to ensure beneficial connections are made and sustained. This is especially important in maintaining a pan London Network to keep up the pressure on policy development particularly in relation to maintaining open spaces and the Development of the Clean Air Act 2)

Supporting an accredited training scheme

LSx has been working with South Thames College in establishing an accredited training programme.

3) Support communities with a diverse offer in order to maintain and strengthen their funding base At LSx we have long learned that it is not best to hand down solutions, but to work with communities in order to express environmental issues in terms that they explicitly understand, but also that addresses their specific needs. We are also aware that in order to be most effective and sustainable many programmes do need to address a range of outcomes. This will enable groups to work with funders over a range of topics. .

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2. Background

“Our volunteers and the community love this project and we look forward to sharing it with as many people as we can from now on as this is a project which needs to be embraced by all".

Project Champion, Fuel Poverty.

2.1 . The Challenge This project addresses a number of challenges facing Londoners, third sector organisations and their environment more widely. It is ambitious in its aim; to empower groups to address environmental inequalities through community created and delivered projects and in-turn build capacity and create opportunities for future funding.

The challenge extends across the very definition of sustainability, addressing environmental & social inequality, personal choice and behaviour change, health & wellbeing to ultimately create carbon and monetary savings.

‘We would not have been able to carry out our Citizen Science project without help and advice from LSx. Our research confirms unsustainable levels of NO2 throughout Putney.’ Judith Chegwidden, Chair of Putney Society.

2.2 . About the project The overall aims of the project are for; 1) Groups not previously engaged in environmental activities to learn about environmental issues and influence their community 2) Groups design, secure funding for, and deliver their own sustainable green initiative. In some cases for the first time.

3) Groups are connected, share knowledge and inspire each other By achieving these aims, the project will create positive benefits for individuals, organisations and the environment.

The project will help meet the Trust's goal of more Londoners having a greater understanding of the "green" environment, focusing on groups who have previously missed out.

2.3 . Community Groups The original project was conceived to support six communities and non-green groups more specifically. In practice, a much wider range of groups and stakeholders have so far been engaged including ‘green groups’ who have acted as local hubs to inspire, exchange and develop project ideas. Connecting ‘green’ and ‘non-green’ groups has been instrumental to the projects success by allow shared learning and facilitating the formation of new social norms.

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2.4 . Funding & Timeframe London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) has been awarded £66,600 from City Bridge Trust over 18months, commencing February 2015 and concluding August 2016.

3. Aim of the Project 3.1 . Overall aims Breathe aims to provide support for six communities in London, particularly those who would not otherwise engage with the environmental agenda to engage their community in conserving and improving their local environments. Within this remit there has been scope for a range of project ideas to develop each with its own aim and impact.

The overall aims of the project are for; 1) Groups to learn about environmental issues and influence their community 2) Groups design, secure funding for, and deliver their own sustainable green initiative 3) Groups are connected, share knowledge and inspire each other

3.2 . Co-Production We were very keen to provide the support that each community wanted and could use to the best effect. Since each community had a slightly different area of focus or need, we set out to design a project that reflected ambitions as well as capacity. We also developed a range of metrics were developed to measure project specific aspects and outcomes. Generally, measurement took place in the following ways (although, each varied slightly): o o o o

Area of need of identified through desk research by LSx Two sub-regional events Workshops set-up with local community, including both training and action planning (together or separately as each necessitated) -- post-event evaluation forms Activities commenced -- survey data gathered by champions (co-designed with LSx) Phone calls / meetings -- to gather more informal feedback and evaluation from champions

As a result of this we were able to determine the ambitions and need for those communities: o o o o o o

Support and foster community cohesion Developing opening spaces and gardening projects Developing enterprises – jam making, bee keeping, selling seeds, upcycling Fundraising support – measuring impact and collaborative projects Reducing expenditure – reducing fuel bills for the community groups and for households Broad health issues – healthy eating and pollution busting were the main key themes.

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3.3 . Six communities Focusing on communities of interests that are disproportionately affect by environmental issues, the following projects were identified: 1) Gardening project in the London Borough of Wandsworth with two youth groups 2) Green Entrepreneurship 102 people from the London Boroughs of Southwark and Waltham forest.

3) Tackling Fuel Poverty in London Borough of Brent with the Community Health Action Trust and with 8 food banks.

4) Building Community Resilience and supporting healthier lifestyles in the London Borough of Hounslow with four groups, in gardening, cooking, making things, but supporting them to develop a sustainable future, additionally engaged with 11 groups as part of a fundraising and capacity building workshop.

5) Support to five Big Energy Saving Network Champions in Enfield, Haringey and Tower Hamlets 6) Tackling Air Quality in London Borough of Newham, Hounslow, Haringey and Wandsworth.

3.4 . Theory of Change The project works across three phases; 1) Identify and engaging six communities 2) Support communities to engage their members a. Action Planning b. Training c. Mentoring 3) Connect and support groups

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Outcomes

Outputs &

Overall Objectives

Diagram 3.1. Below outlines the intended theory of the change of the project.

Groups learn about environmental issues and influence their community

Groups design, secure funding for, and deliver their own sustainable local green initiatives

Activities engaging at least 2,000 people

6 community groups effectively measure the impact of their activities and campaigns

Individuals and groups are better connected

Increased understanding of and connection with local environment

Group leaders are confident about measuring the impacts of the environmental education activities

Individuals working with communities will be enabled to work together accesses key information, policies and create collaborative change

Indicators of Outputs

Indicators of Outputs

Increased level of well being

Indicators of Outputs

Methods & Techniques

Indicators

 Number of action planning events  Champions trained  Activity programme

 Number of events (1 of 3)

surgery

Groups are connected, share knowledge and inspire each other

 No. of surgery events (3)  12 LSx blogs  Project webpage  10 bi-monthly bulletins

Indicators of Outputs

Indicators of Outcomes

Indicators of Outcomes

 At least 70% of participants report an increased understanding of and connection with their local environment  At least 60% of participants reports an increased level of wellbeing

 At least 70% of group leaders and team champions say that they are confident about measuring impacts  Community groups are actively using the campaign measurement toolkit

 At least 70% of participants say that they will put something into practice  At least 150 people working communities benefit

 Self completed surveys (baseline & follow up)

 Exit Surveys  Champion self completed surveys  Interview with leaders at beginning & end of project

 Exit Surveys  Focus group with network members (at end of project)

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4. Case Studies Theme

Fuel Poverty & Energy Efficiency

Groups involved

Community Health Action Trust (CHAT), Various Food Banks; Colindale, Wimbledon, Hackney, Haringey, Ruxley, Epsom, Centre, Tadworth, Banstead, North Enfield, Haringey, Age UK Hounslow, EACH, Flourish, ILAYS, Voice for Change,

Area

London Borough of Brent, London Borough of Hounslow, various food banks

Need o o o o Summary of support

High instances of fuel poverty in London causing major problems among the most deprived residents Health - Living in cold conditions can make respiratory diseases such as asthma worse.

Excess Winter Deaths (EWD) - According to the World Health Organisations cold indoor temperatures contribute 30%-50% to Excess Winter Deaths.

Financial - High bills means residents having to choose between heating and other essentials, such as food.

o Champions trained in energy efficiency behaviours and advised to pass this information on to clients and get them to pledge to change their behaviour. o Champions visited a combined total of 508 homes to advise residents and retrofit properties with radiator reflector panels, secondary glazing film, draught proofing foam tape, as well as provided energy efficiency advice. o In addition, talks were given at the Jwalamukhi Temple in Hounslow to over 200 people at the ILAYS Somali centre.

Results o 85% of beneficiaries reported improved thermal comfort in their home. o Total carbon savings of approximately 152.6 tonnes/yr. o Combined financial savings of approximately ÂŁ80,062. o Participants took on more sustainable habits as a result of this project with half making pledges to reduce energy consumption in the home.

Next steps o

CHAT and some food bank partners have subsequently built this advice into their annual practices and visits.

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Theme

Green Entrepreneurs

Groups involved

Waltham Forest: Hornbeam Café, My Street, Institute of Education, Food Assembly, Headway Self Build, Leave the Trees Alone, Forest and Found, Len's cakes, Reclaimed London, Hedge Herbs, Healthy Living Lab and 2 colleges Southwark: Brandon 2TRA, Dragon Cafe, MANUK and Peckham Forum

Area

London Boroughs of Waltham Forest / Southwark

Need o o

o o

o Summary of support

o o o

Tackling local waste issues In 2012, Waltham Forest had 11,600 workless households with no individuals aged 16 and over in employment. The biggest concentrations of workless issues are found in Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone. Economic inactivity is concentrated in the Asian/Asian British population of the borough, and predominantly women. 1 Lack of training and experience (88% of trainees were either unemployed or in part-time employment (less than 16 hours per week)).

Southwark is one of the worst four London Boroughs for several indicators: pay inequality and inequality in life expectancy, as well as residents lacking qualifications at 19. Particular issues that Southwark faces include high levels of unemployment (8.9% in 2014, higher than the London average of 7.0%), disadvantage in income, community fragmentation and crime.

The unemployment rate of Southwark during the period of April 2014-March 2015 was 7.8%, which is greater than both the London average of 6.7% and the national average of 6% Training sessions, including an introduction social enterprise, social marketing, marketing, health & safety, finance & project management, and environmental issues ‘Dragons Den’ with representatives from East London Businesses Mentoring sessions: At least 30 hours of mentoring and support (Waltham Forest)

Results o o o o o o o o

24 Budding entrepreneurs (16 from Waltham Forest, 8 from Southwark) and 46 young adults trained in Waltham Forest 40 people attended ‘taster-session’ 15 Community groups engaged 11 enterprises developed and established Improved confidence & motivation An estimated 15 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill Approximately 640 local residents engaged in enterprises activities Over 11,834 people receiving information through Twitter

1 London Borough of Waltham Forest, Local Economic Assessment, November 2010

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“It really gives you a great insight into being a green entrepreneur and has taught me that there is a niche in the recycling industry.” - Ahmed Adow, Student

“I'm delighted that people are seizing the opportunities of the green economy and becoming amazing entrepreneurs.

Thanks to LSx for bringing this project to the Hornbeam and Waltham Forest” - Cllr Grace Williams

“I was impressed by the quality, innovation and imagination that the young people showed in developing their sustainable product ideas. There were a few products that could ‘easily’ be released to the market and with the correct support have potential for success.” - Simon Fordham, Business expert & panel judge

“I wanted to gain focus and clarification of what to do. The course really helped me to pinpoint my strengths and how to combat and work around obstacles, to see that my idea could be a viable proposition.” - Carla Rossiter, Green Entrepreneur

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Green Entrepreneurs Case Study Name

Carla Rossiter

Employment status

On joining the programme: Unemployed At the end of the programme: Self employed

How has the training helped you?

‘Green Entrepreneurs’ helped Carla start her own business, it provided inspiration and information on the do’s and don’ts of starting a business

Main achievements

‘Green Entrepreneurs’ has helped Carla to:  Develop her idea  Test her products  Sell to the public  Set up a workshop  Move to her own shop  Establish Facebook and Instagram pages  Reach over 228 people Carla has made at least 30 products using recycled furniture and textiles, homewares

Products made Waste diverted

At least 2 tons of wood, fabric and reclaimed paints

Next steps

Form a ‘makers collective’ bringing in other ‘makers’ doing similar things to share shop space

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Theme

Capacity Building & Community Resilience

Groups involved

Speakout in Hounslow, Cathja, Community Foodbox, Disability Network Hounslow, Brentford Free Church

Area

London Borough of Hounslow

Need o o o o o o Summary of support

o o o o o

A significant presence of childhood obesity, currently at 17% in Brentford and Syon.

The ward has a lower life expectancy than LB Hounslow’s other target awards.

77% of the LSOA’s in this catchment area are in the top 50% most deprived nationally, with at least two being in the top 20% Hounslow has a higher than average low pay rate among residents than London, at 24%. It also has the fifth highest pay ratio between the 20th and 80th percentile of earners.

There is a slightly higher rate of overcrowding in Hounslow than across London, with 13% of all households overcrowded Rings trends in housing and homelessness over the past five years, with landlord repossession orders, homelessness acceptances and households in temporary accommodation all rising Identified 14 local training providers, including Brentford Bikes Engaged champions from 4 community groups through action planning sessions, as well as member from the wider community Established community events and activities, including a community coffee event and weekly gardening sessions Training sessions held in; gardening, healthy eating, jam making, wood working and enterprise.

Support given to facilitate the learning being shared with the wider community through the creation of videos and recipe cards.

Results o o o o

Gathered 185 responses to create 2 Asset Maps, for physicals assets and social assets 68 champions from 4 community groups (Friends of Cathja, Speak Out, Community Box and Disability Network Hounslow). Attended 9 action planning sessions Identified 45 people who wish to share skills such as cookery, gardening, plumbing and sport with their community 27 champions from 2 community groups (Community Box, Speak Out) attended 6 sessions on healthy eating by specialist partner (Kids Cookery School).

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o o o o

o

8 champions from Disability Network Hounslow will received 2 gardening training sessions from a specialist partner (Cultivate London) Disability Network Hounslow have started a grow-your-own initiative at the Quakers Meeting House, with the aspiration to sell produce to raise money for the charity 6 champions from different groups attended 3 enterprise sessions.

6 community led events are planned for 2 community groups (Speak Out and Friends of Cathja). 4 films have been produced by a pupil from Brentford School for Girls to share acquired knowledge on cookery classes in 1 community group (Speak Out).

To inspire entrepreneurial spirit in Brentford, LSx hosted a one day enterprise training event covering topics such as finance and marketing and talks from leading figures in the West London business community. One attendee won a £1,000 grant to go towards their Green Enterprise venture and a free mentoring session.

“We are happy to be included in being part of the strengthening communities grant and how this might be used to bring capacity to both Cathja's kitchen table attendees/volunteers, customers of the shop and the wider community, from Brentford and Hounslow borough, who will access our community hub as it develops.” – Project participant, Well Brentford & Syon.

Next steps o o o o o o o

Continue to expand the Skillshare network and find a forum to help facilitate these 45 people identified to help share their skills with the wider community Speak Out have planned to share their cookery through video material to be promoted and also through further events and by offering printed recipe cards One aspiration is for the more able members of Speak Out to become volunteers at Community Foodbox We will continue to work at the community room in Cathja’s Kitchen Table, building towards some summer events such as an outdoor film screening.

4 further films will be produced with students from West Thames College and Cathja to share wood-working and upcycling skills DNH members are growing produce with the aim to sell produce and raise money for the charity Help create a network for the participants of the Green Enterprise event

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Theme

Energy Efficiency

Name

Big Energy Saving Network (BESN)

Groups involved

Community Health Action plan (CHAT), The Selby Centre, Enfield Somali Community Association (ESCA), Finsbury Park Trust, Madani Girls School.

Area

Pan-London

Need o o o

o o Summary of support

o o o

In 2014, 10.6% of London households were in fuel poverty2.

Health- Living in cold conditions can make respiratory diseases such as asthma worse.

Excess Winter Deaths (EWD) – An estimated 43,900 excess winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in 2014/15, with 27% more people dying in the winter months compared with non-winter months3.

Financial- High bills means residents having to choose between heating and other essentials, such as food. Those on low incomes are the worst affected4.

Climate change- Inefficient houses contribute significantly to climate change due to their high energy usage Climate change- Inefficient houses contribute significantly to climate change due to their high energy usage 6 Energy Savings Champions Trained Peer Mentoring Network established

Results

1,173 individuals reached through events and outreach activities fuel poor families engaged o 651 fuel poor families received one-on-one advice o 259 front-line workers trained o Estimated annual savings of £2,821through ‘switching’ o

Next steps

o Plan to extend our Energy Saving Network with further funding from DECC & Smart Energy GB

“LSx helped me generate ideas in defining the project, handouts and resources were really helpful” - Participant, Selby Trust.

– Project Champion

2 3

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fuel-poverty-detailed-tables-2014

http://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/exces swintermortalityinenglandandwales/201415provisionaland201314final 4 http://www.nef.org.uk/knowledge-hub/energy-in-the-home/fuel-poverty

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Theme

Green Spaces

Groups involved

Providence House Youth Centre, Battersea Flower Station, Platform 1

Area

London Borough of Wandsworth

Need o o o o o o Summary of support

Young people in Wandsworth lack access to and ownership of green spaces; Transform under-utilised green spaces Encourage biodiversity Improve understanding, confidence and skills in improving and maintaining green spaces There is a disused space next to Providence House which could be an asset to the community.

Help reducing food waste by teaching ways to be more sustainable by composting and preserving food waste.

o Local partners have been identified and secured o 15 local resident attended initial sessions o 2 local youth centres have been supported (38 young champions trained, 10 attended regularly) o 5 training sessions were held ( 2 sessions with professional gardeners) o Gardening materials have been sourced and donated (gloves, gardening tools, 2 worm compost bins, compost, various plants) o Land owner permission has been gained

Results o o o o

A full programme of activities and support has been planned for 2016 Picking up rubbish, planting flowers, vegetables and aromatic herbs, composting organic waste, building a bug hotel for biodiversity) Improving understanding and confidence in gardening and reducing food waste Disused green space turned into a small garden with seats and planters enjoyed by the community

Next steps o o o o

Maintaining the green space next to Providence House in collaboration with local expert provider Battersea Flower Station (with at least 6 training sessions held).

This will compliment Providence House’s ‘4 seasons’ programme, engaging young people from local estates with nature.

Both Platform 1 and Providence House will provide worm compost from their kitchen (initiated through a ‘food waste’ workshop day.)

They will in turn use the herbs from the garden.

Expand our reach to local schools to get more champions trained and more people involved.

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‘I liked that we pulled the weeds out, it looks much nicer already’

‘It was very calming and good to work as a group and to do something nice for the community’ – Participant, planting workshop

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Theme

Air Quality

Groups involved

Woodcraft Folk (Newham) Don’t Close Church Street (Hounslow), Putney Society (Wandsworth)

Area

London Borough(s) of Newham, Hounslow and Wandsworth

Need

o An estimated 9,500 Londoners die prematurely from causes relating to air pollution, according to new research by King’s College London. o Current World Health Organisation guidelines state that NO2 levels in the air must not reach above 50 micro grams per cubic metre. However, many boroughs across London continue to breach these levels. o High levels of NO2 and other pollutants contribute to a myriad of health problems, including asthma, heart disease, dementia, lung cancer and heart failure, with those in deprived communities suffering disproportionately from poor air quality.

Summary of support

o LSx provided air quality and citizen science training session to groups to help them understand and measure air pollutants. o Provided equipment and data mapping

Results

o Increased understanding of air quality issues o Data mapped. indicates very high, dangerous levels of pollution

indicates high levels of pollution

Indicates above average levels of pollution

Indicates low pollution levels

Indicates very low pollution levels

Pollution map from Woodcraft Folk, Newham study

“Meeting new people who have innovative attitudes and information. At least somebody is working on how to save the world!! Well done LSx.” – Project Participant.

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4.1 . Activities & Outcomes Overview Six communities took part in training and activities relating to Green Enterprise, Fuel Poverty, Air Quality and Green Space. This section provides a summary of key outcomes, activities and events. Full details are available in the appendix.

46 groups from 7 communities from 15 London Boroughs signed up for the following projects: 1) Gardening project in the London Borough of Wandsworth with two youth groups 2) Green Entrepreneurship 102 people from the London Boroughs of Southwark and Waltham forest.

3) Tackling Fuel Poverty in London Borough of Brent with the Community Health Action Trust and with 8 food banks.

4) Building Community Resilience and supporting healthier lifestyles in the London Borough of Hounslow with four groups, in gardening, cooking, making things, but supporting them to develop a sustainable future, additionally engaged with 11 groups as part of a fundraising and capacity building workshop.

5) Support to five Big Energy Saving Network Champions in Enfield, Haringey and Tower Hamlets 6) Tackling Air Quality in London Borough of Newham, Hounslow, Haringey and Wandsworth.

As such; o 64 Action plans have been developed o 282 champions trained. o 2,880 directly engaged in project activities o 1 workshop measuring project impacts o 1 workshop exploring capacity building and fundraising o 1 workshop exploring enterprise and alternative funding o 2 conferences with over 200 delegates Leading to the following outcomes; o At least 92% of participants report an increased understanding of and connection with their local environment o At least 60% of participants report an increased level of wellbeing o At least 73% of group leaders and team champions say they are confident about measuring their impacts o 100% of groups felt able to access key information

“LSx helped me generate ideas in defining the project, handouts and resources were really helpful” - Participant, Selby Trust – Project Champion

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4.2 . Green Enterprise, London Borough of Waltham Forest & Southwark The City Bridge Trust Investing in Londoner’s Grant enabled LSx to expand our activities and bid for extra funding, allowing LSx to access £25,000 from the Stratford Development Partnership for the delivery and development of Green Enterprises in Waltham Forest. LSx were also successful in securing £3,000 from Carnegie UK Trust’s “TestTown 2015”, the UK’s biggest enterprise accelerator for youth. o

o o

102 individuals were trained including o 16 champions were trained, from 11 community groups in Walthamstow o 40 people from 3 community groups in Southwark o LSx provided training to 46 young people from 2 colleges as part of TestTown2015 LSx were able to support 24 budding enterprises through 6 training sessions and 5 mentoring sessions An estimated 15 tonnes of carbon savings are related to enterprise activities

Our Green Enterprise project has assisted those who did not have the skills to bring ideas to life and therefore engage in environmental activities. A forum to share ideas and knowledge has been established. The entrepreneurs are keen to maintain and share their knowledge and skills with the wider community given the changes in the political environment: o

o

o

Sustainability should be practiced through activities such as green enterprise. Practical workshops and demonstrations of up-cycling / re-purposing can help encourage and enable non-recycles to engage in waste & recycling – Local Authorities might want to consider this as an engagement mechanism to boost domestic tonnages and difficult to capture waste streams.

Given that people are less likely to have a job for life, especially young people, development of additional skills is fundamental to ensuring work readiness and is key to their future wellbeing.

Exposing people to existing entrepreneurs, mentors and experts in sustainability alongside appropriate support mechanisms is essential in inspiring the next generation of green entrepreneurs.

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4.3 . Tackling Fuel Poverty with Community Health Action Trust (CHAT) in London Boroughs of Brent and Hounslow This programme was deemed exceptionally important to these community groups – they are increasingly aware that the most vulnerable members of their communities are least able to cope with rising bills. This programme enabled participants to develop new skills and maintain support for members of their community. This programme also enabled strengthen of community cohesion as community members were working together to achieve a common goal.

The City Bridge Trust Investing in Londoner’s Grant allowed LSx to bolster project activities and match-fund project from UK Power Network’s The Power of Giving, and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Energy Saving Competition. o o o o o

Over 700 people engaged 508 households received simple energy-saving retrofits 66 champions trained An estimated 152.5 tonnes of carbon savings are related project activities An estimated £80,062 saved by vulnerable households through project activities

This work aims to reduce instances of fuel poverty among vulnerable households in Hounslow. Working with three organisations, one-to-one advice will be provided on how to save money on utility bills and install simple retrofits (e.g. draught excluders) helping residents stay warm, save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and be more sustainable.

These groups were keen to maintain their skills, and work together to develop more opportunities to continue this work, given the changes in the funding landscape for this work.

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4.4 . Green Space initiative in the London Borough of Wandsworth The City Bridge Trust Investing in Londoner’s Grant enabled us to secure additional funding, allowing LSx to access £10,000 (capital costs) from Western Riverside Environment Fund (administered by Groundwork). o o

Providence House Youth Group and Platform 1 (a café working with young adults with learning disabilities) were engaged 15 local residents engaged through 2 initial workshops, at least 8 more training sessions/workshops planned throughout the development of the garden.

LSx have been working to excite, enthuse and actively engage young people in Wandsworth in transforming under-utilised green spaces and helping local wildlife flourish.

We are working closely with two highly successful Battersea youth groups to ensure that we are successful in engaging the young people who stand to benefit the most. Securing the involvement of young people in enjoying and conserving their local green environment is key to the future preservation of these spaces. If young people aren’t given the opportunity to learn key skills there is a risk that they won’t value or be able to conserve them in the future.

These groups are keen to maintain the momentum of this programme. Many of the participants are most concerned for the future and maintain community cohesion. They keen to develop new skills and further develop their entrepreneurial acumen. There is also an aspiration to network and share resources or skills with other gardens in South London.

“The plans look exciting and give the prospect of reshaping the area for the good of the community.” – Youth Worker, Providence House

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4.5 . Capacity Building & Resilience in the London Borough of Hounslow The communities in Brentford and Syon are most concerned about maintaining community cohesion in a volatile political climate. The groups are addressing funding cuts and were keen to work together to gain support to develop new skills, and develop strong entrepreneurship in order to maintain their funding base.

The City Bridge Trust Investing in Londoner’s Grant enabled LSx to secure additional funds for our Connected Communities project in Brentford & Syon (Hounslow). o o o o

Trained 68 champions from 4 community groups through action planning sessions Identified 14 local training providers, including Brentford Bikes Arranged 10 healthy eating cookery sessions 4 further action planning sessions arranged which will lead to further training sessions

Our ‘Well Brentford & Syon’ project has healthy activities such as food growing at its heart. It builds on local skills and enthusiasms and will offer residents in Brentford & Syon the opportunity to develop new skills within a framework that encourages community connectedness in order to support their development to being a healthy and sustainable community.

Our communities have indicated that they found the support in connecting to the wider picture invaluable and are keen to continue this work, further strengthening connections and initiatives that have been started, ensuring the ties between community assets, trainers and contacts that have developed are maintained and further developed. They are also keen to reach out to new beneficiaries, as they are concerned that many people may be missing out on their support.

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4.6 . Support to six Big Energy Saving Network Champions This project was extremely important to those community groups who were concerned that their community members would not be able to maintain healthy lifestyles such as keeping warm in winter and eating healthy food. Community groups requested that we support them in developing a network to reach out and support their most vulnerable households.

The City Bridge Trust Investing in Londoner’s Grant has allowed LSx to train and support five champions as part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Big Energy Saving Network (BESN) o o o o o o

6 Champions trained Peer mentoring network established 1,173 individuals reached through events & outreach activities 651 fuel-poor families received one-on-one advice 259 front-line workers trained Estimated annual savings of £2,821through ‘switching’

This programme energy advice to vulnerable people including switching utility providers, and warm homes discount through a series of outreach and one and one advice sessions.

Thanks to City Bridge Trust, LSx have been able to draw together Champions to provide additional training, such as developing social marketing skills and mentoring to Champions, and to create extra resources and support delivery directly. We have built on relationships with the champion groups and hope to secure future funding through similar work.

"CHAT worked with LSX to introduce and support our clients in efficient water and energy consumption to support green environment. A project which is helping us all to save energy, keep the environment green and above all save us money. Our volunteers and the community love this project and we look forward to sharing it with as many people as we can from now on as this is a project which needs to be embraced by all". - William Gemegah, Executive Director, Community Health Action Trust

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4.7 . Measuring Air Quality in London Borough of Newham, Haringey, Hounslow and Wandsworth The City Bridge Trust Investing in Londoner’s Grant enables LSx to support four local volunteerled air quality initiatives in the London Borough of Newham Haringey, Hounslow and Wandsworth o o

4 training sessions delivered An additional 2,087 people reached through online media

This work builds on our Cleaner Air 4 Communities work, enabling community groups and individuals to understand measure and most importantly, take local action on local air pollution.

We provide the tools, training, equipment and know-how to identify pollution hot-spot. We help communities understand and map pollution in their area and develop action plans. Most of our groups were concerned that they were able to influence policy and ensure that they maintain the health of their community.

Thanks to City Bridge Trust we have been able to support four groups.

Woodcraft Folk

“Don’t Close Church Street”

Woodcraft Folk is an educational movement for children and young people to learn about and value the world. A concerned citizen of the London Borough of Newham approached LSx to find out what he could do about air quality in his area. It was decided that this would be an excellent opportunity and fun activity for Woodcraft Folk to participate. A citizen science investigation of air quality was launched. Pending results, an action planning session will take place in February.

A group of residents in the London Borough of Hounslow are petition a road closure in Isleworth that has resulted in traffic being diverted along quiet conservation roads causing travel problems for locals. Of greater concern is the expected increase in air pollution. The Isleworth Community approached LSx in to learn more about air pollution and to set-up an on-going citizen science investigation monitoring pollution levels.

They have received 2,079 supporters to their campaign ‘Don’t Close Church Street’

The Putney Society The Putney Society wanted to find out (a) whether measures implemented by Wandsworth Council, pollution levels had reduced, and (b) whether there was any evidence of particular problems near schools. majority of locations (15 of the 29) levels exceeded EU recommended safe levels of NO 2, with levels at eight of the locations more than 50 per cent over the recommended EU safe level, showing that local air pollution problems extend beyond the High Street and into nearby main and residential roads.

“We will be participating in the Clean Air Day on 31st July (when Putney High Street will be closed for the Prudential London Bike Ride). In September, we are organising a public meeting on the impact of air pollution on Child Health with speakers from Kings College and Leonie Copper from the GLA. Two Putney Society members are volunteering to be air quality champions in Wandsworth” - Judith Chegwidden, Chair of Putney Society

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4.8 . Measuring impacts 1 shared learning workshop on measuring project impacts brought together participants from the 6 communities o 11 groups represented o 75% of participants reported new learning o 80% of participants made a connection and met someone new o

LSx hosted a workshop on projects focusing on fuel poverty, air quality and green enterprise.

The aim of the workshop was to provide information on fuel poverty and air pollution challenges in London: o o o o o o

Demonstrate advice and training on how to tackle these challenges.

Provide information on the importance of monitoring and evaluating projects.

Offer tailored feedback and advice on specific monitoring and evaluating projects.

Aid communities to develop an action plan for their own projects.

Give communities top tips on presenting, reporting, evaluating data and insights into current best project practices across London.

Provide communities with the essential tools needed to carry out their own projects.

Most communities were very concerned about their ability to maintain their funding base. As a consequence they are keen to be able to express what they do in relation to funders objectives.

They were also very keen to learn new skills and ensure that they remain connected with other community groups. The workshop provided information and advice to groups or individuals on how to monitor their own projects, but with a particular focus on fuel poverty, air quality and green enterprise.

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4.9 . Additional activities - #Pledge4Ldn COP21 Campaign In addition, LSx were able to; o o

Engage 43, 312 via Twitter including councillors, activists, NGO’s and London residents.

Engage 5 London Assembly Members and all parties, putting questions to the London Mayor.

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4.10

‘A Fresh Perspective’

The City Bridge Trust Investing in Londoner’s Grant enabled LSx to partner with the London Assembly and deliver an air quality conference from academic, communities and policy makers.

Our community groups are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about the impact of pollution on their health; based what people told us we felt we had to provide our groups the opportunity to connect with each other and discuss one of the major public health concerns of the decade.

The aims of this event were to: o o o o

Develop and inform the vision for the future of London from an environmental perspective, focusing on air pollution Explore solutions for tackling transportation problems and air pollution using relevant data through teamwork and community empowerment Exchange and build upon new ideas and solid actions to improve our transport system and air quality Meet people who share similar ambitions, to make lasting connections with

"This event was a good opportunity to focus on the different issues around Air Quality and learn what measures are in progress” – Felix Pring, Event Delegate.

"The most helpful points of this event were a) finding out more about other campaigns operating locally and b) discussing how we can work together” – Judith Chegwidden, Event Delegate.

"The workshop sessions were a great opportunity to discuss different issues, not just sit and listen.” – Stephen Inch, GLA.

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Participants at the event welcomed the opportunity to meet and discuss the one of the most pressing public health issues of the decade. They were particularly concerned the impact of Brexit on their ability to influence future policy and delivery. Other conclusions that were made: o o

How other agendas such as open spaces and cycling need to reflect the concern for pollution The need for new technologies and policies to reflect community aspirations

Response to the event: o o

88% of participants said the event significantly increased their level of new learning 100% of delegates agreed that this conference was a good opportunity to learn how others are tackling air quality issues

This event brought together representatives from more than 50 corporate, government, and third sector organisations, and community members from 25 London Boroughs.

5 Conclusions & Recommendations 5.1 Conclusions Our project took place during a particularly volatile and challenging political environment. The communities we worked with have fed-back their fears and ambitions for the future; these are centred on the following themes: o o

Community cohesion, maintaining local connections, maintaining the ability to reach out and support those most in need Being able to engage and respond to a challenging political environment

In particular:  





The 282 volunteers that we trained are keen to maintain their skills, including obtaining new qualifications; Ensuring ‘healthy communities’ in terms of food, healthy exercise, winter warmth and pollution is incredibly important. Particularly supporting strong pollution busting and open space policies in with the New Mayor and hopefully moving to new policies e.g. the new Clean Air Act ; In order to support their communities comprehensively, our groups need to offer a range of services: fuel poverty support to those suffering from mental health problems, pollution busting programmes to those suffering from strokes, heart attacks and asthma and gardening programmes to young people to enthuse them about developing their entrepreneurial skills; The 102 trainees and the 24 new enterprises keen to spread the word and further develop their local response to the circular economy, has enabled these communities to become more resilient.

1) There is a strong desire for communities to collaborate on sustainability projects Whether this is motivated by environmental or social factors, to increase capacity or to create further funding opportunities, individuals and groups not currently involved in environmental 31

and sustainability issues are keen to learn about and engage in sustainability. Communities are able to embrace the growing green economy. Our holistic approach offers groups a variety of options which enables individuals and groups make sustainability real to them and to suit their needs - from the perspective of developing new skills, resilience, health & wellbeing, food growing and or enterprise. By having informed conversations, we have helped 46 groups identify key challenges or areas of interest with which they wish to engage in with their community. Resultant projects are community owned, focused and locally relevant.

Our 282 volunteers and 24 new enterprises are exceptionally keen to be able to refine their skills and even get a qualification.

2)

“Funding, that’s my main concern”

‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’ For all of the groups that have signed up to our activities, equally as many have been unable to, often citing “capacity reasons”. One of the main challenges facing groups of all sizes (including our own) is funding. Instead of competing, there is desire to collaborate. In part, this has not only ensured the projects success but also allowed us to secure additional funding and grants.

In the current climate it seems that collaborative or working in consortia is necessary to access and share resources, skills and knowledge. A big focus of ours has become to encourage this by trying to connect the dots between groups with similar interests/geographical locations.

From our measuring impact workshop, almost half of the participants requested additional fundraising support. Following this workshop a successful bid to Big Lottery was made by three of the groups in collaboration with LSx to tackle fuel poverty in Hounslow.

As a result of this project, we have been successful in bringing an addition £140k to support and maintain the survival of 46 groups across London. Given the current climate, groups are keen to collaborate in order to support themselves and each other.

“How our community champions project can be further developed with support from LSx. Good info on supporting, measuring behaviour changes in the community” – Participant, Measuring

“[LSx provided] Support with specific aspects of projects we are piloting or planning” – Participant, Measuring Impact workshop.

Impact workshop.

3) “I want to be able to make a difference – and it’s way harder now” Many of the groups that we have been working with understand the political landscape. Whilst some are savvy in relation to creating strong relationships with local politicians, many are keen to hone their horizon scanning skills and maintain strong London-wide networks in order to remain effective.

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As a consequence of this project community groups are considerably more empowered. Our groups have influenced local and regional policies including planning, waste, regeneration and health by working with community groups, health and well being boards, local councillors and MPs and assembly members in 5 boroughs, and our community groups worked with members of the London Assembly to pose questions to the Mayor.

Many groups are concerned that following the impact of Brexit and further local austerity measures, that they will suffer

“We would not have been able to carry out our Citizen Science project and influenced policy without help and advice from LSx. Participant, Measuring Impact workshop.

5.2. What worked well?

1)

Working with aspirations

One of the main reasons that this project has been so successful is that it works with individuals’ and groups’ aspirations, and instead of increasing work; we help them work alongside what they already do. For example, we worked with the Community Health Action Trust (CHAT), a health group providing support to Black and African people living with HIV and Aids in Brent, to bolster their home-visits programme to provide information about fuel poverty as well as making their environment more comfortable through simple retrofits.

2)

Keeping it local

LSx’s approach of focus on the messenger –locally known and trusted- is absolutely crucial when engaging the wider population in messages of a sensitive nature (i.e. fuel poverty) or of local concern (i.e. air quality).

5.3 . Recommendations 4)

Supporting Collaboration

It is clear that the frameworks to support collaboration and the sharing of resources and learning between groups are key. This means both financially and in the form of touch point organisations and events, intelligently managed to ensure beneficial connections are made and sustained. This is especially important in maintaining a pan London Network to keep up the pressure on policy development particularly in relation to maintaining open spaces and the Development of the Clean Air Act 5)

Supporting an accredited training scheme

LSx has been working with South Thames College in establishing an accredited training programme.

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6) Support communities with a diverse offer in order to maintain and strengthen their funding base At LSx we have long learned that it is not best to hand down solutions, but to work with communities in order to express environmental issues in terms that they explicitly understand, but also that addresses their specific needs. We are also aware that in order to be most effective and sustainable many programmes do need to address a range of outcomes. This will enable groups to work with funders over a range of topics.

7) Best practice implemented by experts of ‘local’ As has come out in our work repeatedly best practice initiatives are useful and allow learning to evolve from project to project.

However when it comes to implementation it is the experts on ‘local’ (i.e. those who know best the local community) who are aware of where the challenges and opportunities lie. These ‘experts’ must be empowered throughout the process of projects and space given for their feedback and input to feed in to delivery.

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