Training event - Warmer Homes, Lower Bills and a Greener and Healthier London
Energy issues remain central to our society. From rising fuel bills and fuel poverty to concerns about extreme weather and climate change, how we use energy has major impacts. Research clearly shows how saving energy in our homes and workplaces can have significant health benefits as well as saving money.
This event looks at how organisations can engage people through their networks and within neighbourhoods on these issues. It uses tried and proven community engagement techniques to show how to start a dialogue, build awareness and turn that awareness into action.
The recent LVSC seminar revealed how these issues engage different parts of the voluntary & community sector (VCS):
· Debt and anti-poverty advice: fuel poverty is an important factor for those struggling to pay bills and for those advising households;
· Working with vulnerable groups: younger children and older people are particularly at risk from living in cold homes;
· Public health; new work from the NHS shows how being unable to heat your home leads to a range of health issues;
· Energy efficiency: a growing number of community organisations are offering practical support on creating warmer homes;
· Policy issues: long-term answers to fuel poverty
The training will enable participants to:
· Feel confident discussing these issues within their own organisation and related groups;
· Understand how work on poverty, health and social justice links to climate and energy issues;
· Open a dialogue with organisations representing excluded and deprived communities;
· Choose the best ways to initiate projects on fuel poverty, energy and local sustainability;
· Work effectively with others in their borough active on these issues including local councils.
The training is led by Chris Church who has worked on community engagement and sustainability in London for over 20 years. He is Director of Community Environment Associates and actively involved in programmes on fuel poverty, energy and sustainability. He is a member of the London Sustainable Development Commission and chairs the UK Low Carbon Communities Network. Chris is a key trainer for the social enterprise, Talk Action.
To book a place for either date, please email Jan McHarry Email: jmcharry@poptel.org.uk with your name, organisation and contact details. Lunch is included.
