About Us

Since 2008, Sustaining Dunbar has been bringing people together to support new initiatives which create local jobs, help people cut their fuel bills and grow more food.

We aim to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce CO2 emissions and help us cope with the challenges climate change is already bringing; extreme weather and challenging economic times.

We believe that key to all this is

  • learning new skills
  • strengthening local networks and relationships
  • restoring and enhancing the local environment
  • creating meaningful work and new local employment opportunities
  • building a more equal, more caring community


In 2011, we published the Sustaining Dunbar Local Resilience Action Plan, based on wide-ranging consultation with over 1,500 people in the area. Updated in 2015, this plan guides everything we do. Head to our projects page to see what we are up to.


Sustaining Dunbar is a Community Development Trust and charity.

  • As a Community Development Trust, Sustaining Dunbar helps to get independent local projects up and running.
  • As a charity, Sustaining Dunbar is regulated by Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

We are members of the Transition Network, Development Trust Association Scotland, Scottish Communities Climate Action Network, Community Energy Scotland and Nourish Scotland.

Sustaining Dunbar is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee (registered in Scotland no. 351910, Scottish Charity no. SC040106).

Sustaining Dunbar has a membership open to anyone living in the Dunbar and East Linton Council Ward and it is free. Households and local groups do not need to be members in order to get our practical support.

Sign up to be a member here.
Read our privacy policy here

Contact us by emailing info@sustainingdunbar.org.

Check out our newsletter archive here.

Read our constitution here.


OUR BOARD 

Sustaining Dunbar is run by a volunteer board and any member is eligible to put themselves forward to be on it. The board can also invite people with particularly needed skills and expertise to join it.

Members elect our board at our AGM, usually in May or June. Board meetings are normally held on the first Monday of every month and any member is welcome to attend. You can get in touch at board@sustainingdunbar.org.

Who’s on the Sustaining Dunbar board?

Chair: Jo McNamara, a former Community Development Officer and a director of North Light Arts, an environmental arts organisation working with nationally acclaimed artists and the community.

Jacquie Bell, a retired social worker, community activist and experienced trustee of environmental and community based projects.

Tim Greene, a statistician with experience of consultancy, project management, epidemiology and retail.

Susie Goodwin, a retired college lecturer; currently an artists curator and Creative Director of North Light Arts, an environmental arts organisation working with nationally acclaimed artists and the community.

Philip Revell, an experienced project manager, independent researcher, community activist and woodfire potter.

Duncan Smeed, a retired university lecturer and Chair of both the John Muir Birthplace Trust and the Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace.

Mark James, Community activist, everyday cyclist, bike fixer, cycling rep on Local Access Forum, Dunbar Community Councillor, singer.

Simon Wasser,


FUNDING

We are grateful to many organisations for funding and support, most notably the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, Strengthening Communities Programme and Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), Scottish Land Fund, Zero Waste Scotland, Community Energy Scotland, Loves Local and Edinburgh and Lothian’s Health Board and many many more.

Partners
Switch your phone/ broadband/ mobile to The Phone Co-operative and both yourself and Sustaining Dunbar will receive a one-off payment of £10, plus we receive a monthly affinity payment based on your usage.

In Kind Support
We are grateful for the support of QuestionPro, the global leader in online survey software.

Annual Reports and Financial Statements

2022

2021

2020

2019