It’s been quite a project!
It was in December last year when the ECO-HUB Sidmouth was launched with a pop-up in the Market Square to gauge interest – following which it went on to be staged regularly every two weeks over the following half year.
And during that time – judging by the footfall and the media coverage – we can say that the Eco Hub Sidmouth has been a success!
With huge thanks to the initiator and lead of the project, Bernie Davis.
Here she is, looking back at the first six months – her report published in time for the town council’s next meeting:
Report on Eco Hub Sidmouth Trial: November 2024-June 2025
- The aim was to engage new groups of people with the mission of CAPS, i.e. make residents aware of what contributes to an individual’s carbon footprint with ways to reduce it.
- The trial was structured around 6 topics addressed at 2 venues, i.e. the Tourist Information Centre and the Library over 6 months. The topics included Retrofitting, Local Food/Food Waste, Recycling, Active Travel, The Plastic Pollution Problem, Drawing from Nature. The sessions were coordinated and overseen by Bernie.
- 2 environmental films with panel discussions were screened at the Radway, organised by Emma Pilgrim and Bernie.
- 3 readings of children’s books with environmental themes were read in the children’s library by Jo Earlam and Emma.
- The trial was advertised and promoted in the CAPS newsletter, VGS webpage and on Facebook by Jeremy Woodward. Bernie promoted the sessions at the college through their eco group. Reports on the sessions were regularly written up and published in the Sidmouth Herald by Bernie and Jeremy. Flyers/posters were designed by many and posted on local noticeboards.
- Friday, 11th July Kevin Walker, Ed Dolphin and Bernie met with the college eco group (15 students plus teacher) to harvest Yellow Rattle and talk about wildflowers.
Outcomes
- The trial was a success in addressing topics related to climate change and offering those who dropped in encouragement, expertise, information and guidance on positive behaviours.
- There was a lot of energy and excitement generated by different interest groups in sharing what they do but also learning about what others do.
- Some residents attended each session with their own personal aims related to the topics.
- Individuals expressed their gratitude for having an eco hub with climate awareness events in Sidmouth.
- The concept and acceptance of an ‘eco hub’ project is understood by many and referred to regularly.
Conclusions
- A lot of environmental initiatives take place led by different groups in Sidmouth but people are often unaware of who is doing what and when, even when an event has been well advertised.
- The library, as a venue, was better attended and used than the TIC. This is understandable in that it’s where residents naturally come on a Saturday morning to browse and use the other facilities.
- ‘Taking a message to the people’ can be more successful than expecting the people to search you out or come to you.
- Offering ‘activities’ can be a good way to engage people and may be preferable to an organised talk or a drop-in session.
- There are specific groups of people, e.g. children and young people who might be targeted.
- An Eco Hub is a good umbrella under which many sustainable living projects might be organised and social networks developed.
Ways forward
- reset on ‘success’ and build on the work that has gone before
- possibly run a Pop-up in the Market Square end of July or beginning of August
- extend the trial until the end of the year, Sept-Dec with 4 new topics to be developed
- in 2026 repeat the topics from 2025 with a focus on ‘activities’
- target specific groups through promotion and activities, e.g. the college eco group
- focus on the library as the venue, once or twice each month and continue to develop a positive relationship with the people who work there, especially Sarah whose role is to organise the nature table. The library recently has been consciously rebranding itself as a community hub, which supports the continuity of Eco Hub Sidmouth.
- look into the benefits of establishing a CAG Community Action Group
- engage members from CAPS and the Environment Committee to take part and support the project
- tap into and connect with:
- research on the benefits of eco hubs taking place at the Uni of Exeter and presented at the Global Tipping Points Conference 30th June- 3rd July
- Libraries Unlimited and the project Together for Tomorrow with upcoming sustainable living projects and events
- the outcomes from the Eastern Devon Social Health Workshop on 18th March on building good social infrastructure in the community
Environment Committee (14 Jul 2025) – Sidmouth Town Council
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