A SHARE garage where neighbours can borrow tools and equipment, spaces to grow food and plants, and safe street play sessions were just some of the community-minded projects launched by local residents last year.

Thirteen groups in Totnes, Kingsbridge, Harberton and Harbertonford took part in the pioneering Transition Streets, project aimed at helping households to reduce their energy bills and save carbon.

And more households in and around Totnes, where the Transition Streets movement originated, are invited to take part this year, thanks to £15,000 raised via a Crowdfund appeal in the autumn.

Transition Streets is a seven-session programme where groups of six to eight neighbours meet every two to three weeks over a few months.

Afterwards, many groups go on to collaborate to create projects together on their street - from orchards and car share schemes, to bulk buying groups and street parties.

There is support available for anyone who would like to get a group off the ground in their street including a Starter Pack with top tips, flyers and advice on recruiting your neighbours.

In a cost of living and energy crisis, this couldn’t have come at a better time said project manager Ruth Leonard-Williams, as the programme helps households to reduce energy and carbon, as well as save money and nurture neighbourhood connections. 

Ruth added: “There have been so many heartwarming stories of connection, friendship and sharing with neighbours coming together to take collaborative practical action in response to these challenging times.

“I'm particularly excited about one of the street projects, where a neighbour has opened a Share Garage for the rest of the street to borrow tools and equipment.

“Two streets have begun holding safe street play sessions where neighbourhood children and people of all ages are invited to play and socialise on the street and cars are restricted for a certain period.

“Also, a number of streets are working with the Incredible Edible project to develop street growing spaces and encourage wildlife.”

One of the participants, Fiona, said: “I moved to Totnes pre-Covid, nearly three years ago, and found connections hard to make with everything that was going on.

“Now, after only one session of my Transition Streets group, I have lots of contacts and people who I think will be my friends.

“Another person in my group, very affected by Covid isolation, said she felt as if she had returned to the human race.”

Another participant, Carol, said: “I’ve met people I hadn't met before, even though I’ve lived here 25 years!

“We’ve shared all kinds of things, details of our energy saving tactics and tips, even feelings about it all.

“It has helped motivate me to seek much-needed support and advice. I’m now in the process of applying for a cosy Homes Grant.”

For more information about Transition Streets visit www.transitionstreets.org.uk, email  [email protected] or phone Ruth on 07773 846132.