CENTRE for Sustainable Energy has been awarded £20,000 from St Monica Trust’s Community Impact fund to pay for an experienced energy adviser.
The Bristol-based charity aims to change the way people think and use energy by giving advice, managing innovative energy projects, training and supporting others to act, and undertaking research and policy analysis.
The adviser, to be hired with the grant, will deliver home visits and in-depth support to vulnerable older people in Bristol, BANES, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Mike Joyce from the Centre commented on the news: “This funding will make a big difference and means we can help more older people above all stay warm but also understand their energy consumption, use their heating controls properly, reduce high energy costs, avoid damp and mould in their homes, and switch to better value energy tariffs.”
The Centre was one of seven organisations who received a share of the new £100,000 fund designed to support existing local organisations to ‘carry on the great work they are doing.’
The other six recipients who were awarded between £3,220 and £20,000 include Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group, Bristol Poverty Action Group, Life Cycle, North Bristol Advice Centre, Southern Brooks and Way Out West.
Simon Roberts OBE, Chief Executive of Centre for Sustainable Energy, said: “We welcome St Monica Trust’s generous support and their recognition of the importance of supporting local organisations to continue the good work already being carried out.
“Older people are one of the most vulnerable groups during the cold weather, particularly if their home isn’t very energy efficient or they are living on a very low income. Nobody should be rationing their heating this winter.”
The St Monica Trust provides accommodation, care and support for older and disabled people in Bristol and surrounding counties.
Ben Jailler, from St Monica’s Trust, said: “Uniquely, this funding supports established projects which are already making a difference in their local communities, rather than start-ups. The aim is to support organisations to continue providing vital services for older people, while looking for ways of improving levels of sustainability.”
