GOING GREEN
GREEN THINKING
The cost of living crisis driven by the increase in energy prices has pushed sustainability to the top of the agenda. At work or home, whether to save money or save the environment, people are looking at ways to reduce their energy consumption and make more sustainable choices. And with a new King whose focus for many years before his accession was the environment and sustainability, the United Kingdom is entering a new era of green-thinking. In this issue, The Business Exchange looks at Wiltshire businesses leading by example when it comes to the green agenda.
A HUB OF SUSTAINABILITY
Wylye Coyotes in Codford is a community hub aiming to set an example of sustainability and green-thinking. Bringing neighbourhood groups together through a range of activities and services, the organisation makes its income from the provision of childcare including breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs.
Surplus profits from these activities funds other non-profit initiatives which serve the community, such as a toddler group and a community café with an affordable menu for senior residents and families.
Embedded at the core of Wylye Coyotes is its ethos of sustainability. This approach is not only better for the planet but it will ultimately help to secure the hub’ s longterm future.
The Codford Community Larder operated by Wylye Coyotes provides food donations from FareShare South West via Waitrose and a Community Champion at Morrisons. Local households also share surplus groceries. The whole idea is to stop food from going to landfill.
Director Kate Brayne explains,“ Since we started the larder in 2019, we’ ve collected 4,203 kilos of food that would have otherwise gone into landfill, the equivalent of 10,000 meals and 13,449 kilos of CO2 savings.
“ We try and educate our community that by collecting the food, they are saving the planet. It’ s not about being greedy or taking stuff from other people, they’ re doing something positive.”
Wylye Coyotes also has a community veg patch, allowing families without gardens to get green fingered and grow their own food.
Working with Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership( SWLEP) has provided the hub with the advice and expertise it needs to develop its long-term green strategy and secure a sustainable future.
A series of SWLEP Growth Hub workshops including Going Green, Growing Your Green Strategy and Measuring have provided Wylye Coyotes with the information it needs to continue along its sustainable path. It has resulted in planned improvements to the Hub’ s building, including energy efficiency measures such as upgraded insulation and the installation of solar panels.
To find out more about the Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub ' s Sustainable Business support visit: www. growthhub. swlep. co. uk or email: hello @ SWGrowthHub. co. uk
For more info: www. facebook. com / wylyecoyotes
" Since we started the larder in 2019, we ' ve collected 4,203 kilos of food that would have otherwise gone into landfill "
18 www. tbeswindonandwilts. co. uk