Through the HeatHack project, engineers and communities get together to identify and plan actions to save energy in community buildings - to reduce carbon footprints and costs. Interviews with volunteers involved in the programme show that it takes dedication, effort and patience to carry out plans – but also, by coming together, communities grow in strength as they learn about and take environmentally friendly action.

​Saving energy in community buildings
Surefoot hosted the HeatHack programme, which is supported by an Ingenious Public Engagement Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering.
The programme has just been evaluated, and a bid for further funding is on its way. The programme is free to non-profit community groups and you can still apply via HeatHack’s website; also if you are an engineer interested in volunteering. The HeatHack Guide Book offers links to all publicly available materials.

In the programme, HeatHack’s volunteer engineers work with churches and community groups to help them understand basic principles in thermal modelling and apply them to their own building spaces. The programme combines technical learning and engineering investigation of the premises and heating and ventilation systems with Surefoot’s hallmark facilitation approach. ​Under the leader’s/facilitator’s and engineers’ guidance, each group completes four two-hour exercises in their buildings. More than 100 small group sessions have been conducted and 32 engineers have been involved.

Working with energy optimising is more of a journey than a quick fix that solves all problems at once. By speaking with participants from the programme, we witness both the benefits and challenges that community groups face as they build a new resilient path forward.

Tailored support, engagement and persistent efforts are key
Surefoot has conducted a series of online interviews with nine people to get insights into their experience.

The programme has been emphasised by several participants as a useful way to get started. As one participant said, “It's a good programme to get started, to get local people involved and to reflect. It was good not only to work with generic knowledge on topics about energy, but to work specific on the site - the specific building.” (Community participant).

One person who led the group though the four sessions, mentioned time as a challenging factor, “The time to spend on it. The leader role was surprisingly bigger than expected.” But as the interview continues, it's clear that the hard work paid off, “What worked especially well in the HeatHack program was that it takes into consideration how different groups of people use the space.”
Several interviewees highlighted the benefits of getting to know their building better and tools to support energy optimising. As an engineer describes, “The programme provided a better understanding about how the building is heated, and how to control the different parameters. For example, it’s now possible for one person with his or her computer to find out the best setting for the heating system depending on the weather conditions outside the building. It gives individual control.” This reaches into rescheduling activities to help with optimising the heating, “Before, the heating could be on from 2:30 pm to midnight on a Saturday, or cleaning could be spread over four days and therefore require heating all the days, which can now be organised to be cleaned all in one single weekday, and therefore the heating can be lower on days where it’s not in use.”

Although all the programme’s materials are online for any groups to use, the volunteer engineers were essential for success, so much so that the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is committed to running the programme with their churches in future, would like the use of engineers to continue.
A community participant explains the benefit of working with an engineer, “The group of four participants and the engineer worked very well. It was priceless to have a qualified engineer aboard who joined with his expertise and independence, and that he participated as someone not related to the hall.”

An interview with two members of a community illustrates the various elements that influence the work, “The good news is that we have met immediate enthusiasm to move forward in the group. As we looked at in HeatHack session 4, we aim to engage people around potentially installing solar panels – however this is also a conservation issue in a listed building”
The other community group member continued on the subject, “I’m less worried about the solar panels. My biggest concern is the management group, it’s not only about how much it costs. It’s about doing the right thing for the planet. That we share values and voices. One challenge is that we work in smaller groups with different targets, and less across different areas.”

Engagement is a crucial factor, as an interviewee stated, “Activities are depending on staff and team capacity. Funding could be helpful.” As one engineer also explained, it’s crucial that others within the organisation get involved in order for the next steps to happen, “We did not have easy wins. The easy parts were either in place or they knew about it, for example thermostat control or draft control. These were also subjects we went through in the game. They (the group) need to look at and take action in the bigger picture. The group will bring topics to discuss with their board, also to gain finances for improvements.”

Financial challenges have been an important topic for several participants, “We need money. Now, we mainly have money for the maintenance.” Another participant sums up typical challenges, “The usual challenges for many organisations: lack of time, resources, volunteers and funding.”

Despite the challenges it has been possible to derive actions, for example, “There is someone organised to visit the building to assess the possibilities for connecting the old boiler to a control system, to regulate the heating better. This is a key element to move forward.” (Community member).
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At Surefoot we are impressed by the unwavering efforts and dedication the groups and engineers have put into the work. Most of all, we believe it’s important to get people together to find a surefooted way forward, as one participant also pointed out, “It has been useful to get core members together within the organisation to work on environmental improvements in the organisation’s old building.” As we say in Surefoot: a values-based transformational approach puts people at the heart. 

​A community on the Isle of Raasay overcame differences and rekindled communication, allowing a path forward for their Carbon Neutral Island project, with the support of two bespoke Surefoot workshops. Based on a conversation with Tom Lusink from the island, we gained insight into how the community turned challenges into fuel to move forward on a sustainable path.

​Transformative steps
In autumn 2023, Pam and Liz from Surefoot went to facilitate two bespoke workshops on the Isle of Raasay. The name of the island means Isle of the Roe Deer and is reachable by a short ferry journey from Isle of Skye.

Tom Lusink, active citizen of the island, unfolds key steps on the journey that the community took during and after the two workshops. When talking with Tom, it is clear that he values and cares about his community, and wishes that everyone benefits from actions on the island.
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In a small community there are many different voices and opinions, so it’s important that people are listened to, but also that disagreements aren’t blocking the process and that actions are based on a respectful and positive approach, “It can be challenging to air ideas in front of others, but Pam and Liz brought a new workshop structure, an alternative to the familiar meeting structure. They listened to our unique situation and tailored their delivery to a fit right for us. The set-up of the sessions included work in smaller groups, and when conducted by people from outside the community, we could all meet on neutral ground. The session was focused around possibilities and solutions rather than barriers and obstacles,” explains Tom. 

​A shared take-off to form goals and actions
At the workshops, the community discussed and shared dreams for the future in smaller groups. This included space to explore specific topics together with the neutral facilitators. Tom adds, “It was much more uplifting, motivating and inspiring than I had hoped for. After the sessions, people have since started to open up more when we have met afterwards.”
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These two sessions were a starting point for the community to get united. They have now created a public discourse, and it has been a take off point for more doors to be opened, and it helps the community navigate further. They are now working on specific goals and actions for land and marine spaces, including improving the biodiversity and carbon sequestration - to become carbon neutral in 2040.

Coming together!
One of the best outcomes is that, despite differences across organisations and in the community, they agreed to cooperate going forward. Tom emphasises both the advantage of Surefoot’s workshops and the strength of the community on the island, “Beyond delivering singular beneficial sessions Pam and Liz demonstrated a framework that unlocks the solutions which are held within our community, but are often blocked. This is a framework we are now able to bring forward ourselves. The combination of great skills from the Surefoot facilitators and having the benefit of a strong community has been most satisfying.”
At Surefoot, we wish the island a continued surefooted path forward!

Can Surefoot help you?
Do you wish to bring your community, organisation or company together and move forward with environmental positive actions? Read more about Surefoot’s bespoke sessions and/or get in contact with us.
 
Text by Gazelle Buchholtz, Surefoot associate.
Photos by Pam Candea, Surefoot founder and managing director.