Driving Community Energy Conversations Forward at All-Energy 2026

This week, had the incredible opportunity to attend the at the Scottish Event Campus — one of the UK’s leading events focused on renewable energy, sustainability, low-carbon innovation and the future of the energy sector.

For us as a grassroots community charity based in Carstairs Junction, attending events of this scale is about far more than simply walking around exhibition halls. It is about understanding how rural communities fit into the wider future of energy, sustainability and climate resilience — and ensuring that places like ours are not left behind in those conversations.

From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was one of ambition, collaboration and forward-thinking ideas. Across the SEC, industry leaders, engineers, local authorities, innovators, charities and community organisations came together to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of energy across Scotland and beyond.

Throughout the day, we attended discussions covering renewable infrastructure, community energy, net zero ambitions, energy resilience, grid development and innovation in clean technology. It was particularly inspiring to see the growing recognition of the role communities can play in helping shape sustainable local futures.

One thing became very clear: communities are no longer expected to simply observe change happening around them — they are increasingly becoming active participants in creating it.

At Soul of the Junction SCIO, this aligns strongly with the direction we have been moving towards over the past year. As many people already know, our wider vision for the Community Hall project extends beyond simply renovating a building. We are exploring how community spaces themselves can become more sustainable, energy-aware, climate resilient and educational for future generations.

During the event, we had the opportunity to continue conversations around the future of energy in and around Carstairs Junction, alongside discussions connected to a particularly exciting opportunity we have been quietly working on since February. While it is still too early to publicly reveal full details, attending All-Energy marked another significant step forward in those conversations and partnerships.

What stood out most throughout the conference was the willingness of organisations and businesses to engage with smaller, grassroots initiatives. Often, rural communities can feel disconnected from large-scale innovation and infrastructure conversations, yet many of the solutions discussed at the conference directly impact places like ours.

We also explored interactive educational exhibits and demonstrations which sparked inspiration around how energy and sustainability topics can be communicated more creatively within community settings — especially for children, young people and families. As a charity that places strong emphasis on accessibility, inclusion and intergenerational learning, these experiences were particularly valuable.

Networking opportunities throughout the day were exceptional. We connected with professionals and organisations across multiple sectors, discussed future possibilities, shared the journey of our community-led projects and introduced the ambitions we hold for Carstairs Junction and the surrounding area.

Events like All-Energy reinforce something we strongly believe at Soul of the Junction SCIO: meaningful change happens when local communities are given opportunities to engage directly with innovation, investment and decision-making.

The future of energy should not only be designed for communities — it should be designed with communities.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to speak with us, exchange ideas and show support for our work. We return home feeling inspired, encouraged and even more determined to continue building positive opportunities for our village and wider rural communities.

There is still much work ahead, but days like this remind us why we continue pushing forward.

And yes… there may be some exciting announcements on the horizon soon

Stitching Connections in Carstairs Junction: Creativity, Wellbeing and Community at The Wooden Hut

There was something truly special about the atmosphere inside The Wooden Hut during Soul of the Junction SCIO’s recent Community Cross Stitch Workshop. What began as a small tester session quickly became an afternoon filled with creativity, conversation, laughter and meaningful human connection — exactly the kind of grassroots community spirit we believe Carstairs Junction deserves more of.

The workshop brought together people of different ages and backgrounds around one simple activity: stitching. Yet the impact reached far beyond thread and fabric. Participants supported one another, shared stories, learned new skills and spent time in a calm, welcoming environment where nobody felt rushed or excluded.

For some attendees, it was their first time trying cross stitch. For others, it reawakened memories of crafts enjoyed years ago. What mattered most was not perfection, but participation — creating a space where people felt comfortable, included and inspired.

The session was led by the wonderful Louz Graham, whose patience, encouragement and warmth helped create an environment where everyone felt able to take part regardless of skill level or experience. Watching confidence grow throughout the afternoon was genuinely heartwarming.

The workshop also highlighted something increasingly important within communities across Scotland: the role creative wellbeing activities can play in improving mental health, reducing isolation and strengthening social ties.

Cross stitch and similar crafts are often underestimated, yet they provide a wide range of benefits. Activities involving fine motor skills can support dexterity, coordination and concentration, particularly for older adults. Repetitive and mindful creative practices are also known to help reduce stress and anxiety while encouraging focus and relaxation. Most importantly, these activities naturally create opportunities for conversation and connection in a gentle, pressure-free setting.

The atmosphere inside The Wooden Hut reflected exactly that. Tea and refreshments were shared, people chatted while stitching, beginners received support from others around the table, and the session became as much about community as creativity.

At Soul of the Junction SCIO, we are passionate about creating opportunities that are inclusive, accessible and genuinely community-led. Workshops like this may appear simple on the surface, but their impact can be deeply meaningful. In a world where loneliness and social isolation continue to affect people of all ages, creating welcoming spaces for people to come together matters more than ever.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Corra Foundation and the Boost Fund for supporting initiatives like this within communities such as Carstairs Junction. Their support allows local organisations, facilitators and volunteers to create safe and positive spaces where people can connect, learn and improve wellbeing through creativity and shared experiences.

Funding streams such as the Boost Fund are incredibly valuable because they recognise the importance of smaller grassroots projects that directly impact everyday lives. Community workshops may not always make headlines, but they create real change at local level — helping people feel seen, connected and valued.

We are also grateful to everyone who attended the first session and helped make it such a success. The positive response and feedback have encouraged us to continue building these workshops into a regular part of community life within the Junction.

Following the success of the first workshop, we are delighted to confirm the next two Community Cross Stitch Sessions:

📅 Tuesday 2nd June

📅 Tuesday 30th June🕜 1:30pm📍

The Wooden Hut, Carstairs Junction

The sessions remain completely FREE to attend, with all materials provided and no previous experience required. Everyone is welcome — whether you are a complete beginner, looking to rediscover an old hobby, or simply hoping to spend time with others in a friendly and creative setting.

Attendees can confirm attendance by commenting on our posts, sending us a direct message, or emailing:

📧 soulofthejunction@gmail.com

As Soul of the Junction SCIO continues working towards the wider regeneration and revival of community spaces within Carstairs Junction, workshops like these represent an important part of our vision: building stronger community connections through creativity, wellbeing, inclusion and shared experiences.

Sometimes, meaningful community change begins with something as simple as a needle, thread and a table full of people willing to spend time together.

And this is only the beginning.

Soul of the Junction SCIO Secures Funding for New Intergenerational Workshop Programme in Carstairs Junction

Soul of the Junction SCIO is delighted to announce that we have successfully secured funding from the Woodroffe Benton Foundation to support a new series of intergenerational wellbeing and creative workshops in Carstairs Junction.

This funding will allow us to deliver a range of free community sessions designed to bring people of different ages together through creativity, movement, conversation and shared experiences. The programme aims to tackle social isolation, improve wellbeing and create stronger community connections within our rural area.

Over the coming months, the workshops will include activities such as creative reuse and sustainable crafting, circle dancing, arts and wellbeing sessions, gentle social activities and other inclusive opportunities shaped around the interests of local residents.

At Soul of the Junction SCIO, we strongly believe that communities become stronger when generations connect with one another. Older residents hold valuable stories, knowledge and skills, while younger generations bring fresh perspectives, creativity and energy. Creating spaces where people can learn together helps foster understanding, confidence and belonging across all ages.

The programme also links closely with our wider environmental and community wellbeing goals. Many of the creative sessions will focus on reuse, sustainability and reimagining waste materials into art and practical creations — encouraging both creativity and climate awareness in accessible and enjoyable ways.

One of the first workshops planned through this support is our Intergenerational Circle Dancing programme led by the wonderful Jo Freeman, alongside a series of Creative Reuse Workshops exploring handmade jewellery, textile art, mixed-media making and other sustainable crafts.

Importantly, these sessions will remain completely free for attendees thanks to the support of the Woodroffe Benton Foundation. In a time where many individuals and families face financial pressures, accessible community activities are more important than ever.

Silviya Savova, Founder and Trustee of Soul of the Junction SCIO, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to the Woodroffe Benton Foundation for believing in our vision for community wellbeing in Carstairs Junction. This funding allows us to create welcoming spaces where people of all ages can come together, reduce isolation, share skills and simply enjoy meaningful time with one another. These kinds of programmes can make a real difference in rural communities.”

As the programme develops, Soul of the Junction SCIO hopes to continue expanding opportunities for local people to connect, create and thrive together within a safe and inclusive environment.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks once again to the Woodroffe Benton Foundation for helping make these opportunities possible for our community.