ClimateYouChange partners with the Stay Warm in Newham and Green Doctors project
- Celia Wain-Heapy
- Feb 15, 2023
- 2 min read
We were approached in January of this year by the Renewal Programme and invited to work in partnership with them on an energy-saving initiative, as part of a wider project, entitled ‘Stay Warm in Newham’. We chose to be involved to increase our knowledge of measures we can all take to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions through decreased energy use. We were also interested in supporting the rollout of the Green Doctors programme within Newham, to help local people lower their energy use. A win for people and planet!
The event was launched later that month, together with Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz.
Partners on the project include Newham Council and Groundwork’s Green Doctors.
The council are running a programme of initiatives as part of the Stay Warm in Newham programme, aimed at providing warm spaces for families in fuel poverty alongside using their platforms to share details of the available Green Doctors support.
Partner, Groundwork is a federation of independent charities (Groundwork Trusts) who work under a single brand, delivering varied projects and services, each according to the single, shared brand strategy. They work to equitably tackle the climate and environmental crises, plus the health and wellbeing of communities, including poverty, unemployment and social isolation.
‘Groundwork’s Green Doctors visit people’s homes to show them how to save energy, help resolve billing issues and access other community services.’ They also provide free energy-saving items, such as LED light bulbs, radiator reflective foil insulation and letterbox brush strips.
The free home visits are only available for those in genuine fuel poverty and facing overall financial hardship. Strict eligibility criteria mean that only certain people can receive a personalised approach to energy reductions via a home visit; the greatest level of support being aimed at those most in need. However, anyone can discuss reducing their energy use with an ‘Energy Champion’.
Within their community partnership work, ClimateYouChange members, Hanan and Celia will be trained up by Groundworks London to be Energy Champions, to provide energy-saving advice and to help residents sign up to receive a personal Green Doctors visit.
Fellow community partners are Kensington Primary School (an academy in Manor Park) and the Newham Community Project (a charity based in Forest Gate for members of the community facing hardship and isolation, providing food bank services, education, training, health, mental wellbeing, and immigration support).
Hanan and Celia will receive the Green Doctors training together with the other energy champions. The community partners will have regular meetings to allow them to share notes and provide updates between all parties on this worthwhile endeavour.
