Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
Tuesday November 29 2022
Author Name: Peter Davison

Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy launches new energy advice service

One of Wiltshire’s largest not-for-profit solar energy enterprises, Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy (WWCE) Ltd, has launched a new advice service to help residents across the county reduce their carbon emissions and save money on spiralling energy bills this winter.

Developed by WWCE’s carbon reduction champion Jessica Thimbleby, Keeping Warm This Winter is a community engagement project designed to deliver targeted advice to people who may be struggling with fuel costs.

The scheme will initially focus on the urban area of Melksham and the more rural parish of Purton, close to the organisation’s Braydon Manor solar installation.

WWCE is working closely with local community groups and organisations in both locations to reach people at a number of pop-up ‘energy cafés’.

Events will run through to January at a host of venues, including Canberra Children’s Centre and the Community Larder in Melksham, as well as Pips Community Café and Purton Library.

During the sessions Jessica will be on hand to provide tips and advice around how to reduce household carbon emissions and save money by cutting 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 – many of whom may not be online – to 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, so much so that we expect to extend the programme’s reach going into 2023.”

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.

A complete schedule of confirmed events can be found at https://www.wwce.org/post/keep-warm-this-winter-with-wwce