People wanting to train as voluntary community Energy Champions across Wealden can book on a training session taking place in Hailsham.
Sussex-based community benefit society Energise Sussex Coast and Wealden District Council are on the lookout for volunteers to undertake the free training.
There has already been one course successfully delivered in Crowborough – and bookings are now being taken for a session on Wednesday 12 June from 10am-4pm at Hailsham Civic Community Hall.
Energy Champions are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable local people who are passionate about making a difference to the environment as well as the wellbeing of their local community.
As Energy Champions, volunteers will receive free training and ongoing in person support to give energy advice to local people and help them to bring down their energy bills, stay warm and save energy.
Training can also be provided so that Energy Champions can also set up Community Energy projects such as thermal imaging, draught busting, solar streets, hosting energy workshops and more.
Energy Champions will receive ongoing training and support from Energise Sussex Coast to enable them to give energy advice and organise events/ activities around energy saving and renewable energy. Energy Champions volunteer from four hours a month.
No prior experience is needed and while the training is free, people do need to book in advance.
Bookings can be made for the first training day on Wednesday 12 June via Eventbrite at Energy Champion training – Hailsham
The second training module will be held on Wednesday 26 June 10am-1pm. Eventbrite is also open for booking.
Councillor Paul Coleshill, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Climate Change and Economy said, “This really is a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life to train as Energy Champions and make a difference to the environment as well as the welfare of their local community.
“The role is very rewarding as it’s a chance to genuinely help people in a very tangible way. Energy champions not only address the cost of living crisis by helping to bring down energy costs, they do something about climate change by bringing down carbon emissions too.”
Chris Richards, Energise Sussex Coast said, “We look forward to welcoming people to the energy champions training and joining the energy champions network. The energy champions are a diverse group of people from all backgrounds, ages and experience that are helping spread the word about energy in their community, supporting the transition from fossil fuels to renewables and developing community in their area.”
The Wealden Energy Champion project is funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund.
