Following the item in Rye News on February 11 “Where do we get the energy?” a meeting was held on March 15 to start developing a new approach to providing community energy services in Rye. Thirteen attended and worked hard to develop ideas, which will allow us to reach vulnerable Rye residents and businesses, who are struggling with high energy bills and damp, cold homes and buildings.
Three main themes have emerged from the discussion, which will be further developed on April 20, 7pm at the Queen’s Head, Landgate. The group set itself the goal of doubling numbers for this next meeting - so please come along and help us get to 26 attendees! If we can get an active group of volunteers working on each idea, we can make rapid progress. For more information, visit www.transitionrye.org.uk.
The three themes are:
- EDUCATION - Run a series of sessions at local schools to highlight energy efficiency and what it can achieve in terms of fuel poverty, health, and cost savings.
- BUSINESSES - Set up the capability to offer “winter business energy checks” which would help local shops and other businesses save energy.
- VOLUNTARY NETWORKS - Create a network of organisations who can cross-refer vulnerable residents, who may be facing a range of social and health challenges as well as fuel poverty. We would connect with other volunteer groups and also social / health care organisations (e.g. doctor’s surgery). This would be the basis for reaching residents with energy advice services.
Photo : Simon Kershaw
