Source: City of Plymouth
Residents across Plymouth have been nominating their local climate heroes, and the winners have now been unveiled.
Ranging from an eco-friendly school on a mission to change their school culture, a dedicated business finding innovative solutions, and youth, community and citizen legends who have been using their voice to empower others to make change.
Over 70 nominations were submitted uncovering amazing stories and triumphs showing the breadth of work going on.
The winners will be celebrated at The Big Green Trail on Saturday 21 June, a free event full of fun activities to take part in.
The winners are:
Business Legend
Stiltskin Children’s Theatre
Stiltskin Theatre have gone above and beyond ‘business as usual’ to reduce the carbon footprint of the theatre and has found endlessly creative insulation solutions to regulate heating and cool the building by 10 degrees! They have installed hot compost bins, created an award-winning community garden and implemented a zero to landfill waste solution, reusing materials at every opportunity.
Employee Legend
Sarah Lee
Sarah is a Senior Associate at Stride Treglown Architects where she advocates for carbon reduction in the built environment promoting opportunities for learning, upskilling and collaboration across the city. Sarah founded Future Plymouth 2030 and works tirelessly with schools; she actively empowers people with the knowledge and tools to make change and take positive climate action.
Citizen Legend
Ricky Lowes
Ricky, an active member of Climate Action Plymouth, has demonstrated her unwavering passion for looking after our world at a local level. From pursuing accessible active travel for all to challenging others to think differently, she is a leader inspiring those around her to take action for our city.
Rob Wick
Rob opened the social enterprise THINQTANQ over eight years ago and is a pioneer of several climate initiatives. Rob is always looking to find new community solutions and has since been supporting other social enterprises and collaborating with Fab City, all with a passion for making Plymouth a greener place.
Young Person Legend
Eva Wakeham
Eva, aged 10 years old, is a member of the Ocean City influencers group and has been using her voice to champion our ocean and the importance of climate change action in the home of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. As part of the group, she has been involved in beach cleans, online blogging and filming. Eva is an inspiring role model and is always sharing her skillset with others to drive change.
School Legend
Heles Secondary School
Mike and Helen, two colleagues at Heles School have built an extraordinary sustainable school culture. Beyond teaching, they empower students to protect the planet, to think bigger, act bolder and care deeper. They have developed an outdoor classroom, been a part of rewilding projects, champion cycling to work and have joined the Green Schools Revolution.
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “Huge congratulations to our winners, who have been recognised for all their contributions to helping Plymouth on its journey to net zero and the fact they go above and beyond for our planet.
“Thanks to the panel of judges for taking the time to select the winners and to all of those who nominated friends, neighbours and colleagues to highlight our worthy unsung heroes.
“This really is a huge achievement, and we will all come together to celebrate their awards at the Big Green Trail.”