North Highlands and Islands Climate Hub to be rebranded in 2023
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From early next year the North Highlands and Islands Climate Hub will cover the whole of the region and change its name to the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub.
This will bring an increase in workload in 2023 and the team are all set to embark on the rebranding process.
With its headquarters in Thurso, the hub is a Scottish Government funded initiative and has staff positioned throughout the region, which currently stretches from Shetland to Inverness.
The aim of the initiative is to support communities to take positive climate action via various means. It is thanks to the hub’s successes to date that the Scottish Government has asked the team to widen the geographical area it covers.
The change comes after much discussion with the government and community groups within the Skye and Fort William area. Each community within the Highlands and Islands has its own specific needs, desires, and goals.
Project manager Joan Lawrie and hub and membership coordinator Marion Reid travelled to Skye and Lochaber last month to engage in discussion with Lochaber Environmental Group, Skye Climate Action and Broadford & Strath Community Company about the proposed changes and what that would mean for those within these communities.
"We felt strongly that we needed to visit these communities in person rather than online so that we could see first-hand the incredible work they are doing and to show our commitment to covering their areas within our patch," said Ms Lawrie. "We have spoken online on many occasions, so it was lovely to see real people."
"While our headquarters are in Thurso, we are eager to offer equal commitment to all the communities we cover and discussed this in detail with Scottish Government. We were thrilled to be so warmly welcomed in Lochaber and Skye and enjoyed some brilliant conversations.
"I am so pleased we are all singing from the same hymn sheet. I cannot wait to get started properly and build on the strong networks which are already in place in these areas."
The increase in geographical area means more work for the hub which currently employs five people – three staff members in Caithness and two in Inverness.
Recruitment will begin in the coming weeks so that a senior development officer and community engagement officers can be positioned throughout the region to ensure all communities are served equally and effectively.
The hub team will work closely with organisations within each community and take direction from them regarding requirements.
Mrs Reid said: "The transition to cover the Highlands and Islands rather than the North Highlands and Islands is exciting but we are acutely aware of the importance of having staff embedded across the region to allow for best results.
"Communities know their place best and so we will be working closely with organisations to ensure we are doing all we can to reach people with our information and support.
"We are so grateful to Lochaber Environmental Group, Skye Climate Action and Broadford & Strath Community Company for their warm welcome, words of encouragement and offers of support with the recruitment which will follow shortly before Christmas."
Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to email enquiries@nhclimatehub.co.uk
Recruitment information will be available on the North Highlands and Islands Climate Hub website by week commencing December 19, and will run until mid/late January.
