In 2009, we set up Transition Streets, to enable groups of neighbours to come together for a series of meetings to support one another to take action to reduce household carbon emissions. This led to nearly 500 households locally making savings of 1.3 tonnes CO2 per year on average and saving £570. What also emerged from the project was just how supported and connected groups of neighbours felt as a result of taking part, creating friendships and support structures that are still active and every more relevant during the pandemic. Watch this video to find out more about Transition Streets ten years ago!
In recognition of the impacts of the climate emergency and Covid-19, we recognise the potential to breathe new energy into updating Transition Streets to offer a structure for households and the community to develop localised support hubs to catalyse action for long term carbon savings, and at the same time co-creating much needed social support processes and activities as we recover from the pandemic.
Knowing and feeling able to call on neighbours for help with shopping, buying groups, child care, spending time together, being creative are just some of the ways we can support community wellbeing, and Transition Streets offers the tools for groups of neighbours to do just this.
We are working on updating and developing new content to the project materials and will be trialling this during 2021. Our hope is that this project can grow to offer tools and support to many more people in the coming years.
We are looking for community members who are interested in being part of a Transition Streets group. Please contact Myrtle@transitiontowntotnes.org for more information.
TTT is grateful for financial support from the Halleria Trust and Totnes Town Council to make this work possible
Transition Town Totnes 