A new energy advice service to help residents save money on spiralling energy bills this winter has been launched in Melksham.
‘Keeping Warm This Winter’ is a community based project to deliver practical advice to people who may be struggling with fuel costs.
It is being run by one of Wiltshire’s largest not-for-profit solar energy enterprises, Wiltshire Wild-life Community Energy (WWCE) Ltd. The scheme will initially focus on Melksham and the Parish of Purton, close to the organisation’s Braydon Manor solar installation.
Jessica Thimbleby from WWCE is working closely with local community groups and organisations by joining their regular sessions to reach people through a number of pop-up ‘energy cafés’.
Events will be taking place from November through to January at a host of venues, with the first ones happening at the Tuesday Drop-in session on 15 November from 10:30 until midday at That Meeting Space, 31A Market Place and at the Over 60s Film Club on 21 November at the Assembly Hall at 1.30pm. Sessions are also planned at Shaw Village Hall, Canberra Children’s Centre and the Community Larder in Melksham.
Details to be announced in due course.
During the sessions Jessica will be on hand to provide simple tips and advice on how households can reduce heat loss at home by getting rid of draughts and taking other actions to stay warmer and save money as they cut down on energy use.
She will also be able to make referrals to the Warm and Safe Wiltshire service for further support, signposting those who may be eligible for emergency help or grants to allow them to install longer-term energy efficiency measures, including insulation or a more efficient boiler.
Julian Barlow, chair of WWCE said, “With energy prices shooting up and no long-term government support in place there’s never been greater call for groups like ours to share their expertise, which is why we’re launching this vital new service now. Delivering tangible community benefits has always been at the heart of everything we do, and this initiative is an extension of that commitment.”
Jessica Thimbleby added, “I’m looking forward to getting out there and helping people access practical information that could help save them money and keep warm during the winter months. I’m particularly keen to bust some of the common myths associated with energy saving and answer any questions people may have.
“The response so far has been incredibly positive – if anyone reading this would like to organise an energy advice session in Melksham for their group, please get in touch jessicat@wiltshirewildlife.org or Tel: 07568 231015.
To support its launch of the Keeping Warm This Winter service, WWCE has joined the new Rural Communities Energy Support Network run by the Centre for Sustainable Energy with Wessex Community Action, which helps community organisations reach more people across Wiltshire.
