How can you avoid germs and bugs when you’re outdoors?

For more information about how you can avoid bugs such as ticks and germs when you’re outdoors please go to Avoiding bugs and germs outdoors | NHS inform

Back to menu

What can you do to help the environment?

You can help the environment and make Lanarkshire a better place for the future by reducing your carbon footprint. Here are some ways that you can help.

Back to menu

At Home:

• Make your home warmer by adding more insulation. Apply for support from the Great British Insulation Scheme – GOV.UK – If you need help applying you can call the GBIS helpline: 0800 098 7950

• Reduce waste and recycle more
• Use energy-saving appliances that use less power. Visit: Energy savings trust to get more information on what to look for when buying energy efficient products.
• Choose renewable energy companies who use wind or solar power. See the top UK green energy suppliers 2025 and compare prices with other energy suppliers 2025.
• Choose insect friendly plants and flowers to increase biodiversity. Visit: The royal entomological society to get top tips on insect friendly gardening.

Back to menu

Transport:

• Walk or cycle for short journeys
• Use public transport or share a car with friends or family – but never accept a lift from someone you do not know
• Read more about the North Lanarkshire partnership and learn about ACT Now in Lanarkshire.
• Get advice from Sustrans on how you can walk, wheel and cycle for your everyday journeys.
• Switch to an electric car if you can

Back to menu

Lifestyle Choices:

• Eat more food that is grown locally and is in season. You can find more information:

1. 1. Local Producers in Lanarkshire
   2. Farm Shops, Farmers’ Markets, Vegetable Box Schemes and PYO Farms
   3. Discover the best of Lanarkshire Food & Drink

• Eat less meat and dairy products
• Support businesses that care about the environment
• Have a go at growing your own vegetables and fruit
  • Visit the Lanarkshire climate action hub to find out about local community growing initiatives and projects in Lanarkshire where you grow some of your own food.

Back to menu

Community Involvement:

• Join local groups that work to protect the environment and stop climate change

• Take part in community meetings where you can share your ideas about protecting the environment at: Lanarkshire Climate Action Festival
• Volunteer for events such as tree planting or litter picking
• Help others understand why it’s important to have wild meadow flower areas

Back to menu

Stay up to date and share ideas

• Keep about to date with what your council and NHS are doing about climate change
• Encourage your schools and workplaces to be more environmentally-friendly
• Talk to your friends and family about climate change and help them learn more about it

These small actions can all make a big difference. A Lanarkshire that cares about climate change will be healthier and safer. It also means we will be more connected to each other and ready for the future.

Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub helps people and local community groups to take action on climate change. The Hub can help with getting funding and starting low-carbon projects in Lanarkshire.

Lanarkshire Directory is a list of organisations working on active travel, reducing waste, social justice, green spaces, community health and much more.

Green Health | NHS Lanarkshire’s Healthy Lifestyle & Weight Management Service, and the  Get Outdoors Lanarkshire project work to show how spending time in nature can help your physical and mental health. They run walking groups, community gardening projects and other outdoor activities to help people feel better and live healthier lives.  These projects are part of Lanarkshire’s Green Health Partnership and ‘Our Natural Health Service’. These encourage people to get out into nature and stay healthy.

Visit: Health Improvement Flash Reports for access to Green Health partnership yearly reports.

Back to menu

Get support with ALISS and Locator!

• ALISS is a website where you can find local services and groups that offer help, support and mentoring. You can also use it to find learning opportunities throughout Scotland.
• Locator focuses on charity and community (third sector) services. It’s mainly for South Lanarkshire, but it also includes some services in North Lanarkshire. This lets you see the support that is available in the region.

Back to menu