25 Apr 2019
Warmth and light for chilly community buildings
Last year we awarded over £30,000 to nine groups situated near our renewable projects to help them save money and use less energy in their shared spaces.
Kirksanton Village Hall near our Haverigg II wind farm in Cumbria was underused due to poor lighting and heating. We awarded them just over £3,000 in 2018 to install LED lighting, energy efficient space and water heaters and insulation for water pipes. Now the Parish Council meets there, along with groups like the ‘stitchers’.
The Thrive Community Benefit Programme has awarded a total of 21 grants to 17 community groups, providing 40 tonnes per year of carbon savings in total.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy, an independent national charity that shares knowledge and experience to help people change the way they think and act on energy, runs the programme. The scheme will reopen in May.
“All the comments have been very favourable. It has meant that the group can sit in a round and chat as well as sew because no one is having to move about to get the best light. It has also encouraged the start of a new sewing group who will be making quilts for newborn babies. Thank you very much for helping us to achieve so much towards the refurbishment of the halls.”
“We have made grants to cricket pavilions, community centres, youth centres and village halls close to Thrive Renewables projects around the country. What these kind of buildings have in common is that they tend to be draughty and very expensive to run. By improving energy efficiency, lighting and heating, communities can save money and reduce their environmental impact. As well as offering grants, this programme helps people to help themselves by identifying things they can do at no cost to save money and energy.”