News

Following the launch of the new freely-available audiobook of Cathy McCormack’s The Wee Yellow Butterfly, we are delighted to be organising another listening and discussion event about the inspiring life and work of the late Glaswegian community activist and anti-poverty campaigner, as part of Govanhill International Festival & Carnival 2025.

Cultivating Community Activism: Learning from Cathy McCormack’s ‘The Wee Yellow Butterfly’
Wednesday 6 August 2025, 7-8:30pm
Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Church, 170 Queen’s Drive, G42 8QZ

Register to Attend

In March 2024 we launched our Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund, in honour of the late Glaswegian community activist and anti-poverty campaigner. This Saturday 21 June 2025, 2-4pm at Glasgow Women’s Library, we are delighted to be helping to launch a new freely-available audiobook of Cathy McCormack’s 2009 book The Wee Yellow Butterfly.

The book tells the story of Cathy’s life and community activism in Easterhouse, particularly campaigning against damp housing conditions in Council-owned schemes in the ’80s and ’90s. Making the connections between these local social injustices and the global climate crisis led Cathy to help develop a pioneering solar heating project on the Easthall housing scheme, the first of its kind in the world.

Download the Audiobook

The launch of a free audio edition of Cathy McCormack’s classic, The Wee Yellow Butterfly, is a momentous occasion.
This book, whose radical implications cannot be exaggerated, documents Cathy’s achievements as a activist, campaigner, catalyst and popular educator, who persuaded countless people around the world: that neoliberalism is toxic to people and planet; that its ‘experts’ are often part of the problem; and that a war-without-bullets is being waged against innocent communities around the world.
The inspiring story of a woman who left school at 15 but shook the foundations of the status quo and demonstrated how, in the teeth of Establishment opposition, reduction of climate damaging carbon dioxide emissions, poverty and ill health could be simultaneously affordably achieved, is now a mere click away.
— David Fryer

I am delighted that Cathy’s Wee Yellow Butterfly has been made into an audiobook. It brings to life an amazing journey of hope and inspiration for all. When we started out, all those years ago, as members of Easthall Residents Association Dampness Group, none of us could have imagined where that journey, metaphorically and/or globally, would take us. Cathy’s story lives in the hearts and minds of those folk, like us, who never give up despite the labels and backlash, because we believe that another world is possible.
— Helen Martin

We have an exciting opportunity to join our small team as Community Energy and Engagement Co-ordinator. Please see below for information on the role and how to apply.

Job title: Community Energy & Engagement Co-ordinator
Hours required: 0.6 FTE – 22.5 hours per week (flexible working considered, including job share)
Salary: £32,000 pro rata
Location: Hybrid – home-working and central Glasgow office (with flexibility and accessibility needs accommodated)
Responsible to: Development Manager

Background on Glasgow Community Energy:

Glasgow Community Energy is a renewable energy co-operative working to ensure Glasgow’s transition to net-zero is rooted in climate and social justice. We currently operate two community-owned rooftop solar panel installations and have 184 members and a growing network of partner community organisations across the city. Our solar installations were financed by grant funding and community shares – where local people had the opportunity to invest and become members of our co-op. We sell reduced-cost electricity to the host buildings which generates an income that we use primarily to distribute to local community groups via our Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund.

In 2024 we developed a business plan laying out our strategy for growing the community energy sector in Glasgow over the next 5 years, and have been successful in securing funding to support this.

Over this period we aim to:

• Develop and install 1-2 Megawatts of new community-owned rooftop solar panel projects and develop a strategy for larger-scale projects.
• Carry out community share offers to raise finance for our projects and increase our membership.
• Grow our network of community organisations and integrate them into our work.
• Deliver wide-ranging community engagement and events to increase awareness of community energy and involvement in our projects.
• Develop partnerships with the broader community energy sector, the renewables sector, the third sector, funders, local and national government, and local businesses.

Overview of the role:

The overall purpose of the post is to work with the Development Manager and the GCE Board in the delivery of the work outlined in our business plan. As a small organisation in a start-up environment the role will be varied and have input across all of our work, with the exact roles and responsibilities to be finalised depending on the experience of the successful applicant. It is expected however that the  Community Energy and Engagement Coordinator will take a lead on community engagement, events, and the development of the Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund, while providing support to the Development Manager on developing our renewable energy projects.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in community engagement and/or project coordination, and who is excited to work collaboratively in a small, purpose-driven team. We value transferable skills and welcome applicants from non-traditional or community-based backgrounds. Knowledge of the community energy sector and a commitment to social and climate justice would be valuable attributes for applicants. Support and development opportunities will be provided.

We recognise that people from underrepresented communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and others with intersecting experiences of marginalisation are underrepresented in the community energy and environmental sectors. We are committed to changing this and encourage applications from people with lived experience of marginalisation and those who can help us build a more inclusive and just energy future.

This is a part-time post for 3 days a week, on a fixed term contract that ends on 31^st March 2026. We hope to secure funding to continue the post beyond this date but this is not guaranteed. There may be an opportunity to increase the hours of this post in future but again this is not guaranteed, and equally will not be a requirement if not agreed with the post-holder.

Potential responsibilities:

• Organising and delivering community energy workshops in partnership with other local community and third sector organisations.
• Managing process to develop funding criteria and guidance for the Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund
• Working with partners and developers to manage the creation of a new membership management system
• Responsibility for managing social media channels and a regular newsletter
• Represent Glasgow Community Energy at meetings, community events and conferences, including speaking and presenting, in person and online
• Supporting the Development Manager in the development of community owned renewable energy projects
• Supporting the Development Manager and Board in all areas of gearing the organisation up for delivering our business plan.

Person Specification:

Essential knowledge, experience, skills & attributes:

• Strong track record of at least 3 years’ experience of hands-on community engagement. This might include activities such as:
  • planning and delivering engagement events
  • promotion and social media
  • building long-term relationships with key stakeholders
  • developing and managing communications plans
• Strong track record in project management, preferably with experience of procurement and tendering
• Experience of working with community groups and volunteers
• Experience of working with a diverse range of people and organisations
• Excellent communication and IT skills
• Organised and efficient, with excellent attention to detail and time management skills
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and flexible with a willingness to get involved in a broad range of different types of work
• An advocate for climate and social justice
• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies and the community energy sector
• Based in Glasgow or within commuting distance and with a general awareness of the city’s geography and history
• Have the legal right to work in the UK

Desirable knowledge, experience, skills & attributes:

• Experience of working in the community energy sector
• Experience of working with renewable energy technologies
• Experience working in a small third sector start-up environment
• Experience in membership management
• Lived experience of climate or energy injustice (e.g., fuel poverty, housing inequality, inequity)
• Knowledge of local community and third sector organisations in Glasgow
• Experience collaborating with diverse or marginalised communities
• Knowledge of Cathy McCormack’s work and legacy, including her book The Wee Yellow Butterfly

Application Process:

To apply, please email us, using the contact details below, either of the following to explain your interest in the role and relevant experience:

• A CV and a covering letter (no more than 3 pages total), or
• A short video or audio recording (no more than 5 minutes)

We want to make the recruitment process as inclusive as possible. If you need this information in a different format or require adjustments, please contact us at secretary@glasgowenergy.coop.

Closing date: 12pm on Monday 9th June 2025
Contact details: Joe Smee, Development Manager, secretary@glasgowenergy.coop
Interviews: will take place on Monday 16th June between 10am and 4pm in central Glasgow

Equal Opportunities:

We are committed to being an inclusive organisation. We strongly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented in the community energy and environmental sectors, including but not limited to: people from Black, Asian and other racially minoritised backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQ+ people; people with caring responsibilities; and people from low-income backgrounds. If you’re unsure whether you meet all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply — we’re interested in your potential and your passion for social and climate justice.

Join us for the launch of a new freely-available Audiobook of the late Cathy McCormack’s ‘The Wee Yellow Butterfly’.

Saturday 21 June 2025, 2-4pm
Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, G40 1BP

Register to Attend

‘The Wee Yellow Butterfly’ – written with Marian Pallister and originally published in 2009 – tells the story of Cathy’s life and community activism in Easterhouse, particularly campaigning against damp housing conditions in Council-owned schemes in the ’80s and ’90s. Making the connections between these local social injustices and the global climate crisis led Cathy to help develop a pioneering solar heating project on the Easthall housing scheme, the first of its kind in the world.

We will listen to sections of the new Audiobook and discuss Cathy’s life and legacy with some of her friends, family and collaborators, including Marian Pallister and Cathy’s sons.

Glasgow Women’s Library now holds the archive of Cathy McCormack’s papers, following her death in 2022. As part of the Open Archive series, this event aims to raise awareness for the archive and the wealth of materials it holds for other community activists and researchers.

The new Audiobook is being produced by Cathy’s friends and fellow activists (Dan Glass, Carmen Robb and Ellie Harrison) with support from Glasgow Community Energy – Glasgow’s first community-owned renewable energy co-operative, which in 2024 launched the ‘Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund’, using proceeds from selling renewable energy.

Do you want to find out more about our community-owned renewable energy co-op?

Then please come to our public meeting and AGM on Wednesday 12 March 2025, 6-8pm.

We’re hosting the meeting at The Pavillion – one of the organisations we’ve been supporting through our Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund – and will be providing a buffet meal from 6pm. Please make sure you register to attend if you’re planning to come along:

Register to Attend

Glasgow Community Energy
Public meeting and AGM
Wednesday 12 March 2025, 6-8pm
The Pavillion
47 Aberdalgie Road
Glasgow
G34 9HX

Press Release: Thursday 28 March 2024

New solar-powered grant scheme launched in honour of local activist, Cathy McCormack

Glasgow’s new ‘Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund’ launched this Wednesday 27 March, using proceeds from selling renewable energy.

The £10,000 pot has been generated over the last three years by the Glasgow Community Energy co-operative, which has solar panels installed on the roofs of two schools in Greater Easterhouse and Pollokshields, supplying green electricity to the Council.

The new grant scheme aims to ensure that Cathy McCormack’s legacy lives on in Glasgow. The legendary community activist and anti-poverty campaigner from Easterhouse, who died in 2022, supported the early stages of the Glasgow Community Energy project in 2018.

She was known for her campaigning against damp housing conditions in Council-owned schemes and for making the connections between these local social injustices and the global climate crisis. In the early 1990s she helped to secure funding for a pioneering solar heating project on the Easthall housing scheme, the first of its kind in the world.

In the first five years, the ‘Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund’ grants will be awarded to community organisations close to the two schools, including: The Pollokshields Trust, St. Paul’s Youth Forum, Connect Community Trust, East End Flat Pack Meals and Fuse Youth Café. These organisations will be encouraged to use funds for projects or activities inspired by Cathy’s radical spirit, aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms.

From 2027 onwards, the aim is to open up the grant scheme across Glasgow to give others the opportunity to apply. With Glasgow Community Energy’s plans to expand, developing new renewable energy sites across the city over the next few years, the hope is to create a much bigger funding pot – generated in an ethical way – which has the possibility of delivering more radical change across the city.

Gary McCormack, Cathy’s son, welcomed the launch of the new Fund, saying “we’re absolutely chuffed and honoured – as mum would be too. In the final years of her life, she got so much joy from seeing the next generation of community activists take up her fight for social, economic and environmental justice in Glasgow and across the world. We hope this new fund will inspire and support more local people to get involved.”

Neil Young at St. Paul’s Youth Forum said: “We are honoured to be one of the recipients of the first ‘Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund’ grants. Cathy was an inspiration to many in SPYF as a local person who stood up against political forces to ensure that there was justice for all. We strongly believe in the power of local people coming together to make a difference.”

“This grant will enable people suffering from depression and other mental health issues to tackle both food poverty and the climate emergency through growing together in our new community farm. We’ll tackle the challenges of our time by building strength and resilience.”

“We will use the grant towards a social area in the farm, somewhere people can sit and socialise but also a decorative area for quiet reflection and some pollinator friendly plants tying in with Cathy’s yellow butterfly. We’re delighted to be able to support so many of Cathy’s passions with this funding.”

Fatima Uygun, a volunteer with The Pollokshields Trust said: “We are honoured to be a recipient of the ‘Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund’. The grant will be used in Cathy’s spirit to improve greenspaces for our community to ensure they are accessible and inclusive for all. Glasgow Community Energy is an incredible project that has brought huge benefits to communities across Glasgow and we are delighted to be involved.”

Notes to Editors:

• The Glasgow Community Energy co-operative has been established by local people on a largely voluntary basis over the last few years. As a result of a successful community share offer in 2021, it now has 182 members (154 individuals and 28 community organisations) across Glasgow and beyond.
• The launch of the first phase of the ‘Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund’ takes place at ‘A People Powered Future for Glasgow’, Glasgow Community Energy’s public event and AGM on Wednesday 27 March 2024, 6-8pm at the Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JP. See further details here: peoplepowered.eventbrite.com
• The event will also see the launch of Glasgow Community Energy’s business plan for expansion to new sites across the city over the next few years in collaboration with local communities. They are currently seeking feedback on the proposals.

For Further Details:

Contact: Ellie Harrison: treasurer [at] glasgowenergy.coop