The Mayday Network is constantly creating and developing innovative projects and programmes that enable our members to strengthen their environmental credentials and engage with new audiences. The latest scheme, the Schools Enterprise Project, paints a bold picture.

 

Created to facilitate business and community collaboration, the Schools Enterprise Project gives businesses the opportunity to engage with school pupils on specific environmental projects. Pupils are matched to Mayday members and then tasked to create artwork that highlights the business’s environmental commitment.

 

The most recent matching linked Lothian Buses with Liberton High School. We asked Dr Steve Johnson, Environmental Manager Lothian Buses, why he was so interested in the project.

 

“Being a locally owned bus company our heart is in Edinburgh and the Lothians – we have been very keen to develop projects which have a direct benefit to the community, especially in our operating area.  The Schools Enterprise Challenge was ideal as it paired us with a local school and I feel helped to dispel a number of myths and beliefs both school children and ourselves had of one another.”

 

 

Lothian Buses are already seeing benefits. Due to the high standard of work from the pupils the artwork has been displayed on the exterior of three buses and on the interior of every bus in the fleet. Lothian Buses environmental messages are therefore being exposed to Edinburgh residents and visitors every day.

 

 

We plan to expand upon this project, offering Mayday and SBC members an opportunity to engage with their staff through CSR activities in the environmental agenda while at the same time enabling school pupils to work with and gain a better understanding of business.

 

At Mayday Scotland, our aim is to bridge the skills gap, raising aspirations of Scottish youth and raising awareness of the career opportunities that are, and will become, available in Scotland as we transition to a low carbon model.

 

Dr Steve Johnson, Lothian Buses Environmental Manager said “The Mayday network is of vital importance – the time to act on environmental issues is right now, the Mayday network allows companies to exchange ideas and best practice meaning that changes are multiplied across the whole network with a much greater impact as a result. We joined Mayday because we cared about our environmental impact and wanted to manage it more effectively by learning the lessons of others.  As our environmental impact reduces and we develop best practice we can then go on to influence and mentor other businesses.”

 

 To get your business involved on the Schools Enterprise Project contact jennyhaines@sbcscot.com or for information on any of the Mayday Projects available to members please click here
 

What is your role on the 2020 Group?

I am a member of the full group, the Public & Business Engagement Sub-Group and the Communications Working Group

 

The fact that you are always finding out new things about the green agenda in its widest sense, and the fact that you feel you are among people who really can make a difference.

 

Getting the public on side. Nothing will happen unless far more people accept that it’s not about being forced to change their behaviours to hit a specific target, but that many of those changes are desirable will improve the quality of life for everybody.

 

Many and varied – and in a time of economic downturn, the potential spin-off for jobs and investment could be hugely significant.

 

Find out everything you can – don’t just dive in and guess what’s the best way to go. Use resources like SBC!

 

As a micro business, all I can try to do is to walk the walk in terms of energy use, recycling and transport choices, etc. I’m doing my best through 2020 and my media contacts to do all I can to get the message out there.

 

Financial savings are limited, but there – and I think all businesses that have moved quickly in this area gain reputational benefit.

 

What personally motivated your journey to tackle climate change? The fact that my kids were coming home from school with environmental messages all the time – and the realisation that we just can’t go on as we are.