An Energy Café, cycling groups and picturesque nature walks are just some of the ways Medway will support the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Great Big Green Week, organised by The Climate Coalition, takes place between Saturday, 24 September and Sunday, 2 October and tens of thousands of people across the country are expected to celebrate the everyday actions being taken to stand up for nature and fight climate change.
There are plenty of ways residents can get involved in Medway including taking part in organised bike rides which are designed to introduce residents to Medway’s cycle network and encourage them to cycle more.
Explore Medway, including some of the area’s fantastic greenspaces, with Ramblers Wellbeing Walks throughout the week. The sessions, also known as Medway health walks, are run by volunteers who hold weekly walks across Medway ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. By increasing how often you walk and by learning routes around Medway, you’re more likely to ditch the car to carry out errands or as part of your commute.
Join Bird Wise for a gentle walk at Grain Coastal Park at 11am on Tuesday, 27 September and discover more about the epic journey birds take to spend winter in Medway. On Thursday, 29 September, the rangers at Riverside Country Park are holding three 1-hour walks for families with interactive activities to teach you about ecosystems.
Businesses in Medway are also encouraged to take part in on online seminar to discuss the importance of sustainability on staff wellbeing and share recommendations for embedding and implementing sustainability initiatives at midday on Tuesday, 27 September.
On Saturday, 1 October, an Energy Café will be held at Chatham Library in Dock Road between 11am and 3pm. Anyone who is worried about their energy bills is encouraged to go along and get advice and information from experts including Southern Water and Citizens Advice. Residents can also find out more about the Sustainable Warmth Scheme which offers eligible homeowners, and landlords, the opportunity to apply for a government grant to make their homes more energy efficient. The scheme offers a wide range of insulation measures as well as double glazing. A British sign language interpreter will also be available at the café.
Climate change impacts everyone
Cllr Howard Doe, Deputy Leader of Medway Council, who is leading on Medway’s Climate Change agenda, said: “I am pleased that we are supporting Great Big Green Week. Climate change is an issue which impacts everyone and we all need to play our part. We can all make small changes in our daily lives which can make a big difference to our climate including walking and cycling more. We hope the free cycling and walking sessions being held across Medway during Big Green Week will encourage more residents to leave their cars at home, where possible. I would also encourage residents to come along to the Energy Café at Chatham Library on Saturday, 1 October to get advice and information about how they can reduce their energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient.”