East lothian Community heat team de-brief
On 29th May, we were invited along to East Linton for a debrief session with the East Lothian Community Heat Team (CHT). West Linton last week and East Linton this week! This was a great chance to compare notes between the CHT programme in the Scottish Borders and their approach, and to help facilitate the knowledge-sharing. Both efforts in each region are being led by West Linton Community Heat team.
What worked well?
Word of mouth proved to be a key way to engage residents, with surveys starting in family and friend circles and opening up important conversations about energy. The training was referred to as very helpful, sparking interest and giving volunteers the confidence to carry out surveys. Reports were appreciated and seen as valuable by participants, and knowledge sharing was a consistent theme throughout the session.
What could be improved?
A few ideas came up here, such as improved branding for the service, and ensuring surveys aren’t left incomplete for too long. Refreshers will also be important after the six-month break before surveys start again.
Key lessons and opportunities:
Trusted signposting: Volunteers highlighted the need for clear, reliable resources for people to find next steps—whether that’s funding, trusted contractors, or professional support.
Knowledge sharing: The chance to share information and expertise between community groups was seen as really valuable.
Volunteer support: Having someone to coordinate activities, potentially in a paid role, was seen as a priority for keeping up momentum and helping volunteers stay engaged.
Workshops and peer learning: More opportunities for skill-sharing workshops, alongside trusted guidance on practical issues like damp or moisture, were suggested.
Looking ahead
We’re taking away key ideas for how to strengthen and refine the CHT approach in our own communities here in the Borders, and we’re grateful for the chance to see how different models can work together to support household energy advice and engagement. It was interesting to see the comparisons/ similarities between the two regions.
A big thank you to the East Lothian team for welcoming us and to Tim for his brilliant work leading the CHT efforts across both regions.
We’re looking forward to ongoing collaboration and learning from each other!