An enterprise which is tackling poverty and the climate crisis in Perth has picked up the Scotland Loves Local Most Enterprising Community Award.
Letham Climate Challenge was set up to improve lives in a neighbourhood where income deprivation and rates of child poverty are higher than average.
In the past year alone, it has seen almost 47,000 items reused through its swap shop and furniture store, with more than 10,000 people visiting its sites.
STV weather presenter Sean Batty called into the Garth Avenue operation to present the award and celebrate the team’s success.
He said: “The Letham Climate Challenge is a project that makes a difference in so many ways, from bringing people together and fostering community cohesion, to alleviating poverty while reducing waste and encouraging recycling.
“It’s a brilliant example of how, at a grassroots level, communities can work together to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time.”
Letham Climate Challenge has been supporting people in the neighbourhood through the cost of living crisis, working in a range of ways to create opportunities for them, as well as supporting their health and wellbeing.
It does that through its Swap Shop, furniture store and community space – which have brought three previously empty buildings back to life – as well as through its community allotments.
Its award nomination stated: “People tell the volunteers how they can’t afford clothes and household basics as well as the costs of using their ovens and putting the heating on.
“Accompanying emotions are often shame and a loss of dignity so the ability to swap items of unequal value, contribute a suggested donation of 20p if they have nothing to swap, or take the item without any cost is central to how the project operates.”
In the past year, Letham’s volunteers clocked more than 5,000 hours with work including receiving, sorting and displaying more than 38 tonnes of reusable household items.
They handled another 10 tonnes of furniture which has been passed on for free – or very low cost – to people in poverty and crisis.
And they distributed 74 free emergency home basics packs to people in need who cannot afford household essentials.
On top of that, its allotments – created in two areas of formerly derelict land – are being used to teach people of all ages how to grow their own fruit and veg, as well as employability skills. This is reducing food miles, helping to put meals on plates and open job opportunities.
Letham’s mission is to reduce the area’s carbon footprint by reusing and recycling whatever it can while also reducing the stigma surrounding people in all sorts of need accepting practical support.
Reacting to their Scotland Loves Local Award, Catriona Smith, General Manager at Letham Climate Challenge, said: “We are delighted to be bringing the Most Enterprising Community award to Perth. This project has been going on for almost 20 years and we are so proud that it’s getting recognition.
“We wouldn’t exist without our fantastic volunteers – and the difference they allow us to make to peoples’ lives – so this award is testament to them.”
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
Its chief officer, Kimberley Guthrie, visited Letham with Sean to present the prize.
She said: “It has been truly humbling to come along to the Letham Climate Challenge and find out more about the important and impactful work being carried out by an extraordinary team of volunteers.
“This is an exemplary project. The whole team has created a friendly and welcoming environment that provides dignified support for the local community, while embracing the importance of reducing waste and repurposing items. Letham Climate Challenge is a truly worthy winner and the team should be very proud of what they’ve built here.”
STP is hosting the Scotland’s Towns Conference in Perth, in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council, on November 27. Speakers will include Scotland’s Employment and Investment Minister, Tom Arthur MSP. You find out more about that here.
