Thornhill has its very own Community Energy Efficiency Advisor & Community Energy Champions

An exciting and challenging project which is all about empowering residents in Thornhill started on 1st March 2010. The project is funded by Thornhill Plus You and managed by the Radian Group (winners of several prestigious awards for their work on sustainable homes for the future).

www.thornhillcommunity.co.uk/energyadvisor

The project gives residents better provision and access to affordable warmth in their homes while reducing climate changing carbon emissions through energy saving and improved efficiency – and it also gives both individuals and the community real opportunities to help each other lead the way in saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

Residents will benefit being aware of issues surrounding affordable warmth. improved provision and access to energy services and products to reduce household energy costs. support to maximise their income, access external grants, resources and advice. a reduction in the carbon footprint of the community as a result of energy savings and improved energy efficiency

Michele Exton has been appointed as the dedicated Community Energy Efficiency Advisor and is here to help residents with all things related to their electricity and/or gas use.

As well as helping residents directly Michele is recruiting residents who want to become Community Energy Champions - they will be trained so that they too will be able to advise and help other residents and reach more people and when the funding for the project ends in February 2011, these Community Energy Champions will be able to carry on advising other residents in the long term helping their community to be better prepared to face future energy challenges.

Michele is working with the Community Energy Champions around Thornhill throughout the year, lending residents energy saving monitors and helping with money saving advice – events will be updated onto this site monthly so keep an eye out!

On 30th June Thornhill Primary School TEC (the Environment Centre) and the Community Energy Champions worked with 130 Key Stage 2 children on an an assembly Energy Quiz and with 34 children on a Mission Energy audit of the school - helping them towards their Eco-Schools Bronze Award - it was so rewarding for all of those involved! Similar events will be held at both Kanes Hill Primary and Hightown Primary schools in the autumn.

Michele would like to hear from you as soon as possible if: you are having difficulty heating your home adquately or know someone else who is you like helping others and are enthusiastic and motivated to help your community become leaders in the fight to save energy and reduce Thornhills carbon emissions and are interested in being trained as a Community Energy Champion.  Training will be given in bite size chunks at different times so that it can fit into your existing commitments.

To see if you can benefit from the project, contact Michele

Photos of first training session in March and launch 30th April