Kirsty MacLeod with her award

The award is given to someone who has made a significant impact and contribution toward tackling fuel poverty in Scotland.

Kirsty has worked with, and supported, thousands of fuel poor and vulnerable households in the Outer Hebrides for over 14 years. She leads the Energy Advice Service team at TIG, dedicated to helping people lower their household energy costs by drawing on a wealth of knowledge and extensive access to resources.

Kirsty was responsible for the Western Isles’ most comprehensive report on fuel poverty, Affordable Warmth at Home in the Western Isles, which emphasised the ongoing challenges faced by households as they try to stay warm amid rising energy costs, harsh weather conditions, and older housing stock. The report emphasised the worrying level of self-rationing that is taking place, and the detrimental effect it is having on people’s lives.

Donna Smith, CEO, TIG, said: “Kirsty has a natural rapport with clients and her can-do approach despite the often frustrating and challenging nature of her work is an example of her commitment to improving housing conditions and reducing fuel poverty in the Outer Hebrides. Kirsty truly deserves this recognition, and I am honoured to be able to work with her every day.”

Donald Morrison, home energy specialist, Home Energy Scotland, said: “Kirsty’s role in the fight against fuel poverty in the Western Isles cannot be understated. From frontline engagement, partnership working and her transition into team management she has worked tirelessly demonstrating that she is without doubt a champion for the people of the Western Isles and I am delighted to support this nomination.”

Matthew Logan, Outer Hebrides manager, Community Energy Scotland, added: “We have coordinated with Kirsty on numerous occasions and have always found her to be a dedicated, insightful and generous colleague. Over her long career supporting households across the Western Isles, Kirsty has built up an extensive knowledge of how to support some of our most vulnerable residents and combines this with a big-picture understanding of systemic barriers to change facing the region.

“During both the RIPEET research project and the development of the Islands Centre for Net Zero, Kirsty has participated in workshops and panel discussions on domestic energy and fuel poverty in the Western Isles, ensuring that the concerns and challenges faced by householders are understood and given the importance they deserve in research recommendations and strategy documents. Kirsty is one of the key individuals and knowledge holders working to combat fuel poverty.”