A community eco-project which has helped people cut their fuel bills and be more environmentally-aware has been hailed as a huge success following the year long initiative.

Urban Green was led by Thenue Housing in partnership with arts charity Impact Arts.

Based in Cranhill in the north-east of Glasgow where Thenue has many of its homes, it has thrust environmental issues to the forefront of community life.

Funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, the Project was the first of its kind in Cranhill. Its objectives included: Encouraging community food growing in gardens based on advice supplied by specially-recruited local volunteers; delivering Energy Efficiency Advice and help gain access to energy saving grants and providing Arts Workshops for adults and kids with a climate change theme.

Local organisations such as the Cranhill Development Trust, Cranhill Area Association and Cranhill Arts Project were also key partners in the initiative.

A big success has been helping people to cut their fuel bills thanks to the appointment by Thenue of energy efficiency advisor Ruskin Gammon. Ruskin made many visits to people’s homes to deliver energy saving advice.

Key highlights of Urban Green’s success include:

Charlie Turner, Chief Executive of Thenue said: “Urban Green has been a great example of a locally-delivered community initiative where people can really get involved. Growing your own food has the benefit of bringing people together and receiving energy efficiency advice from the project is always valuable especially at a time when energy bills remain high. Thenue Housing is very pleased to have made a difference through this project in an area where many of our tenants live.”

Lawrence McCabe, Community Regeneration Manager at Thenue Housing, added: “The project has been an unbelievable success delivering significant results for the community not just in energy saving but in bringing the people together in an outstanding eco project. The future looks green for Cranhill.”