Loads of learning from CAL community hubs
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
During the first five years of Climate Action Leeds, eight "community hubs" were funded in different parts of the city.
The areas were chosen to represent a cross section of Leeds, and each had a dedicated "hub worker" whose job was to connect and collaborate with local people on the priorities they saw in their neighbourhood.
Thanks to the efforts, energy, and expertise of hundreds of local people, a huge amount was achieved across all eight locations. From repair cafés to festivals, community orchards to compost education - the hubs' volunteer teams delivered really inspirational work. (You can read about examples of this on our blog.)
Several of the hubs continue to operate despite their original CAL funding having concluded - just search for Alwoodley 2030, Climate Action Armley, Eco-Friendly Garforth, Horsforth Climate Action, Otley 2030 to see what they're currently up to. You might want to lend your skills as a volunteer?
Even where the hub groups concluded or paused following the end of their funding, individual projects have continued after Climate Action Seacroft, Our Future Beeston, and Climate Action Woodhouse/Little London (check out LS14 Trust, Green Futures, and Community Streets, respectively).
Accordingly, a vital outcome from all of the CAL hubs was a hugely valuable range of lessons and wider learning, all gained through Leeds residents trying different ways to connect communities and benefit our city.
Now, Together for Peace (the local charity which supervised and supported the community hubs between 2020 and 2025) has written up the key takeaways from the hubs' collective endeavours, so that climate-positive people can apply that hard-won knowledge when setting up their own initiatives, in Leeds or beyond.
Many thanks to Sue Hoey for her time and care in putting this report together. Please feel free to share the document with whoever might find it useful.