7th August 2017
The sheer diversity of social enterprises out there continues to take me aback. Recently I had a lengthy conversation with Scott Duncan, Project Manager of Local Energy Action Plan Renfrewshire (or LEAP), and was impressed by the work that they do.
Put simply, LEAP is an organisation which offers a range of free, impartial services to individuals and businesses in the communities of Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Bridge of Weir in Renfrewshire. Their goal is to help people in the communities, both residents and businesses, to save energy and money. They do this by offering advice on everything from insulation and heating, to grants, renewable energy and draught proofing. Basically, anything to do with saving energy! They offer advice both to encourage the usage of renewable energy sources, and to protect the environment.
In addition, they also run three car clubs and a food cooperative, all existing to lower the carbon footprint of people in Renfrewshire. Furthermore, they have a dedicated team who provide local organisations with commercial energy supply services, helping these businesses to lower their environmental work.
LEAP also encourage people in these communities to act on their environmental impact, and actively engage people in helping them contribute to environmental improvement.
Such highly focused environmental work is funded, in part, by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, and their car club is supported by CarPlus.
All this work has led to recognition by the Scottish Government Greener Scotland Initiative.
Scott and I had a really engaging conversation about LEAP, social enterprise, the successes and challenges LEAP has faced, the environment and so much more. I hope you enjoy this interview.