Saltford Scout group: prepared for a greener future
Saltford Scouts used their Green Business Grant to give their 1950s scout hut a much-needed upgrade. The result - lower carbon emissions, better comfort all year round and they’re now saving over £1,000 a year on electricity.
Making a change for good
The 1st Saltford Scout Group has been a big part of life in Saltford and the surrounding area since 1938, offering fun, adventure and personal development to young people aged 6 to 18. These days, they’re not just thinking about badges and camping trips, they’re also thinking green, wanting to reduce carbon emissions and improve comfort within their building.
“We feel it is very important. If everyone does a little, it all adds up and that can make a big difference to cutting greenhouse gas emissions across the region.”
Matt Young, Lead Support Volunteer
How the Green Business Grant helped
The scout group’s hut dates back to the 1950s. It’s a solid concrete building with a curved roof and no insulation - not the easiest space to keep warm (or cool!). But with insights from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s free carbon survey and c£5,200 Green Business Grant, they made some smart upgrades:
A practical and budget-friendly solution to the main hall ceiling.
A clever device that brings in fresh air, heats it using solar energy and circulates it into the hut.
Swapping out old fluorescent tubes for long-lasting, energy-saving LEDs.
The results - lower bills and a smaller carbon footprint
Thanks to these improvements, the Scouts are already seeing some fantastic results:
Over £1,300 saved each year on energy bills
Around 50% less electricity being used
A reduction of 1 tonne of CO₂e in annual carbon emissions
The upgrades have also made the space more comfortable -cooler in the summer and noticeably quieter. As Matt puts it, that's “most welcome when we have up to 30 young people all having fun!”
Looking ahead: opportunities for more gains
Matt is excited to see the full impact after a year of tracking changes. He’s hopeful the scout hut will hold heat better through winter and lead to even lower heating bills. One of the next improvements might be upgrading the current heaters to more efficient models.
In the meantime, the Scouts are staying committed to being eco-friendly like making sure they recycle as much as possible.
“Don’t put it off, take advantage of the free carbon survey and Green Business Grants. They’re brilliant initiatives that support charities, businesses and the environment.”
Over £1,300 saved each year on energy bills 
Around 50% less electricity being used 
A reduction of 1 tonne of CO₂e in annual carbon emissions 
