• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Monday June 22 2026

Energy project reaches hundreds of Wiltshire’s most vulnerable

Community solar group Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy has officially wrapped up a fourth season of its free energy advice service, having provided support to around 460 people across the county.

Since it began in 2022, the Keeping Warm This Winter (KWTW) programme has reached more than 1360 Wiltshire residents via regular pop-up energy ‘cafes’ devised by the enterprise’s carbon reduction champion, Jessica Thimbleby.

This winter, WWCE was invited to partner with the Diocese of Bristol’s Environment and Sustainability team and other community outreach groups to deliver a total of 17 sessions at venues across Swindon, Chippenham, and Trowbridge.

During the sessions, WWCE shared a raft of valuable information and offered handy giveaways for those struggling with energy costs, as well as signposting further support for people eligible for enhanced assistance.

In addition, the community benefit society ran a number of practical draught excluder making workshops in conjunction with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Youth Education and Wellbeing team, as well as joining them for a Family Fun Day at Melksham Forest Community Centre during the Easter break.

WWCE chair Julian Barlow said, “As a community energy organisation, one of our core aims has always been to help local people reduce their carbon emissions and provide useful tips about how to reduce bills.

“The KWTW project has been doing just that since the energy crisis really started to bite four years ago, and it’s thanks to the enthusiasm of other community organisations that we’re able to have such an impact.

“With world events leading to a rise in costs and the energy price cap set to rise again in July, projects like ours will no doubt be just as important come winter later in 2026.”

Belinda Martin, environment and sustainability parish officer from the Diocese of Bristol added, “With so many people struggling with the cost of energy and unsure how to reduce their impact on the planet, it was wonderful to have an opportunity to work with Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy this winter to address their concerns.

“Through the sessions, we were able to offer practical help to hundreds of people in need and offer inspiration about what caring for the Earth can look like in their own homes and wider communities.”