Opened last Wednesday the 18th July. The hours are Monday to Friday 10  till 4. Please come in and have a look around, hopefully we will have something you’ll like.

Donations of clothing, books, bric a brac etc. always needed.

Contact us; 0131 656 9163

greenhouse@communityalliancetrust.org.uk

]]> http://www.communityalliancetrust.org.uk/we-are-open/feed/ 0 http://www.communityalliancetrust.org.uk/coming-soon-the-green-house-thrift-shop/ http://www.communityalliancetrust.org.uk/coming-soon-the-green-house-thrift-shop/#comments Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:02:20 +0000 cat-admin http://www.communityalliancetrust.org.uk/?p=195 Continue reading →]]> Since the Green House closed its doors in March we’ve been making plans to re-open as The Green House Thrift Shop – a place to recycle unwanted items and pick up a bargain.
We plan to open mid-July 2012.                                                                                                     We need volunteers and donations of clothes, books etc.
Please contact CAT on 0131 657 0500 for more info.

We’ve helped 551 people to save energy and money, and to do their bit for the environment.

Including

• 82 people using their heating and water-heating systems more effectively
• 75 people getting started with recycling
• 56 people wasting less food
• 34 people driving more efficiently
• 257 people stopped leaving appliances on standby, by using a TV or PC powerdown
• 34 people getting loft insulation or a top-up
• 20 people getting cavity wall insulation

Our feedback questionnaires say that people have managed to achieve an impressive 72% of the actions they said they would do!

These are just some of the comments from people we worked with

“The shower timer is just great, I use the advice given by the advisor..to use it as a game for the kids who can take the shortest shower with a wee treat at the end.”

“I got my recycling boxes thank you, they are really easy to use”

“I waste less food now, I didn’t realise how much I threw away”

That’s not all…

We organised training on growing your own veggies (pictured), and on fuel efficient driving.

planting on allotment courses

We helped 44 people get free appliances –  from fridges to microwaves – from Scottish & Southern Energy.

We commissioned a feasibility study for a local thrift shop for Craigmillar, which has led to the development of a business plan. Community Alliance Trust are hoping to move the plans for a Thrift shop forward this year.

If you would like to find out more about what we’ve done, please see our Final Report here.

What next?

Community Alliance Trust now want to build on the success of the Green House and will be seeking funding to continue the project.

Plans for the White House are progressing and we hope to open it as a community hub and café during 2012. Plans are also being developed for a Thrift shop – an idea which proved popular in the feasibility study we carried out this year.

We also want to develop the membership of the Trust – membership is open to people living in the Greater Craigmillar area (Craigmillar Community Council area) and enables you to support the work of the Trust and to take part in the further regeneration of Craigmillar. To join the Community Alliance Trust or for more information please contact info@communityalliancetrust.org.uk or call 0131 657 0500.

Useful Contacts

Anyone can get free independent advice on how to save energy from the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre. Call 0800 512 012 (or 0300 456 2655 from mobile phones), or text ‘warm’ to 81025 for a call-back. Or see http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

For independent information on changing energy suppliers or tariffs, we use

• http://www.which.co.uk/switch | 01992 822867 or
• http://www.uswitch.com | 0800404 7961

We have found energy monitors to be a great tool for helping people to take control of their electricity bills, with typical savings of 5-15%. Some energy suppliers will give customers a free energy monitor – simply phone them and ask. Alternatively, the library has energy monitors to lend out.

Thank you…

A Big Thank You to all those who have helped and supported us, especially the people of Craigmillar and everyone who took part in the project.

We are running free fuel efficient driver training sessions on Friday 24th February and Saturday 25th February. Each session is 50 minutes and takes place in the trainer’s car, starting and ending at the Green House shop. Times are available through each day between 9am and 4pm. Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid missing out!
How to book? Sessions are run by the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre. Call them Freephone on 0800 512 012 – be sure to let them know it’s a Green House booking, which means your place will be free.

Alternatively you can book through us – call (0131 656 9163 or 07874 678052), email (greenhouse[at]communityalliancetrust.org.uk) or pop into the Green House Advice Shop, 64 Niddrie Mains Road Edinburgh.

Instead of the usual red and blue boxes, the Council also offer a blue hessian bag with handles, especially for people with limited storage space. Your recycling will be collected from the kerbside as usual. Simply call City of Edinburgh Council on 0131 529 3030 to order your hessian bag.

There’s no catch – act now to make your home cosier and cheaper to heat this winter! Call the Energy Saving Trust free on 0800 512 012 to find out more or book a free no-obligation survey. Or to talk the offer over with a local advisor, pop into the Green House advice shop or call us to book a Green House home energy advice visit.

This offer is open to 1,100 addresses within the greater Craigmillar area, and 18,000 homes in South Edinburgh. Call 0800 512 012 or pop into the Green House advice shop to find out if your home is eligible.

Green House staff and volunteers outside the shop

The Green House advice shop helps people to save money and the environment. We can help you get your heating and electricity bills under control, get started recycling – and much more. Pop in for a chat and a cuppa to find out more, or call us to book a Green House visit to your home – one of our friendly advisors will come round and help you identify how to save money and do your bit for the environment.

The Green House Advice Shop is at 64 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4BG.  Call us on 07874 678052 or 0131 656 9163, or email greenhouse[at]communityalliancetrust.org.uk.

Opening hours

• Monday 9-1
• Tuesday 9-1
• Wednesday 9-1
• Thursday 9-1
• Last Saturday of each month (Jan 28th, Feb 25th) 9-1
• or call to make an appointment

We’ll re-open on 5th December, and will be in touch in the New Year about our planned events and activities for 2012, but in the meantime we wish you all a warm, merry and green Christmas!

We are keen to hear the views of people who live and work in the area on this idea and whether they will use it. Please can we ask you to take a few minutes to click on the link below and tell us your views?

All completed entries will be entered in a prize draw for £25 worth of Fort Kinnaird vouchers.

www.surveymonkey.com/s/ThriftShopSurvey.

• Fun & Festive ideas for a beautiful Christmas, saving you money and the environment
• Get crafty with our homemade decorations
• Leftovers recipe swap
• How to feed the hungry hordes on a budget
• Free Mulled Wine & Mince Pies
• Freegle Give & Take Stall (* what’s this? see below)

The White House
Niddrie Mains Road
Edinburgh

Freegle Give & Take Stall

What can I give?
• Anything that might make a nice Christmas present or stocking filler as long as it’s clean and working.

What can I Take?
• What you need and can use.

Bring along unwanted items between 12 and 3pm or drop off at the Green House Shop if you can’t be there on the Friday.