Welcome
Hello, we’re a new community-led project funded by Norwich Climate CIC, and operating under the oversight of Norwich Climate Commission.
We’re working with trusted members of our community to reduce energy usage and decarbonise homes. By doing so, we aim to reduce energy bills, offer you more control over your energy usage and support our planet. In short, we’re working with the communities of Norwich and Norfolk to bring power back into the hands of everyday people like you and me.
What we do
We support the local community by:
- working alongside trusted members of your community to share information and resources, including providing free energy efficiency training
- signposting existing grants and energy schemes
- offering impartial advice to reduce energy, bills and carbon output
Why?
Norwich’s homes, like those in the rest of the UK, are typically poorly insulated and reliant on gas boilers, which is one of the main contributors to Norwich’s carbon footprint. As you may be aware, this is leading to higher energy bills, which can negatively impact on health, well-being and personal finances.
We hope to improve home energy efficiency across various local communities, and support those communities to be able to act on energy themselves.
Currently, full home retrofitting is unaffordable for most people individually, BUT there is scope for communities to lead the way by acting collectively in order to save money, for example by bulk buying and using community buildings to generate energy.
Neighbourhood Energy Champions Project is focussed on training trusted members of several Norwich and Norfolk communities, in order that they can meaningfully engage members of their own community in one-to-one conversations and collective actions.
Who are we?
Katie-anna Whiting- Project Manager
Katie-anna is Founder/ Artistic Director of local theatre company ‘The Whiting’s On The Wall’, project manager and mum. She is overseeing the day-to-day running of the Our Power ‘Neighbourhood Champions’ project.
Jemma Luck – Outreach Coordinator
Jemma is a Director of Norwich Ecohub, Trustee of Norwich Unity Hub, and an active member of many local community-led climate action groups. She is overseeing project delivery and communications.
Norwich Eco-Hub – Consultancy and Advice
Steering Group includes Hannah Emmrich, Olivia Hanks and John Moore
And another thing…
We’re a Community Interest Company (CIC), so everything we do is for, and with, the community. This is a non-profit making project. We are not affiliated with any provider, manufacturer or installer. Our advice is entirely independent.
Information and advice on saving energy, reducing bills, reducing carbon and available grants coming to the website soon…
Useful links
WEBSITES
www.nea.org.uk – National Energy Action (NEA) is the national charity which aims to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency to help those who are poor and vulnerable.
www.ageuk.org.uk – AgeUK works to promote the well-being of older people in supplying advice, information, lists of local news, events, policies, campaigns and links to various fact sheets.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk – Citizens Advice provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
www.cse.org.uk – The Centre for Sustainable Energy is an independent charity providing advice, training and managing projects to help people and communities find solutions to the threat of climate change, cold homes and fuel poverty.
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/ – Energy Saving Trust is a social enterprise with a charitable Foundation offering impartial advice to communities and households on how to reduce carbon emissions use water more sustainably and save money on energy bills.
www.gov.uk – Website for all government departments and many other agencies and public bodies. Provides information about benefits, pensions and national energy efficiency schemes.
www.thewisegroup.co.uk – The Wise Group is a social enterprise helping people gain new skills and get off benefits and into work, reducing reoffending, regenerating communities, working to eliminate fuel poverty and trying to create a greener society.
www.scarf.org.uk – Scarf is a social enterprise, headquartered in Aberdeen, delivering services across the northeast of Scotland focusing on fuel poverty, energy efficiency, sustainable living and carbon reduction.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/energy/ – Martin Lewis gives tips to counter the cost of high gas and electricity bills.
Contact
In the meantime, for any further information please contact: