The Kelpies green initiatives
Graham Brown, an employee at The Helix in the staff garden where produce is grown by staff.
COVID-19 presented a real challenge for the team in achieving the gold standard as most of The Helix staff were furloughed. However, on returning the team found the issues represented in Green Tourism such as mental health, community, culture, our planet, and green spaces, were even more relevant. The lockdown had highlighted the park’s important role for the local community in providing a green space where people could meet and exercise.
Wellness Wednesdays were introduced for staff after furlough ended, providing a space where staff could share hobbies and strategies for maintaining wellbeing, and leading to the introduction of a staff garden where produce is grown by staff which is used in the Visitor Centre café. As a result of initiatives in this area, The Helix was awarded 100% by Green Tourism for its health and wellbeing, and a 90% score for community.
Other initiatives included undertaking projects to reuse and repurpose wood offcuts from the park that would normally have been discarded. Within the café, single use items have been reduced significantly and reusable options are championed. These recycling initiatives contributed to an 82% score from Green Tourism under the waste category.
The full news story can be found on The Helix website.