Community Energy Champion Training
Being an Energy Champion means supporting your friends, neighbours and communities to reduce their energy usage by becoming more energy efficient, helping them to save on their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
The rising cost of energy is at the forefront of many Devon households’ minds especially as the colder nights mean we are all keeping the heating on for longer. On top of this, residents want to play their part in reducing carbon emissions, but it can be tricky to know where to turn for advice and how to make the most efficient energy savings in the home. Being able to speak to a local Community Energy Champion can be the first step on discovering what to do and how to do it.
You will receive comprehensive training on the subject of household energy, from experienced Energy Advisors (and potentially also via accredited courses run by National Energy Action). Whilst these roles are voluntary, training can help you gain invaluable transferable skills for your career development, as well as provide you with the satisfaction of giving back to your community. You may already be a key community adviser looking to diversify into energy advice, or you may be new to the field but passionate about all things green.
The Energy Wise project with the help of Transition Town Totnes have secured funding to train volunteer ‘Community Energy Champions’. We welcome applications from people who are able to commit a minimum 4 hours per month to the role. To find out more or to apply, contact Jem Friar, Champion Manager at the Energy Wise project on info@energy-wise.uk or call 07905-696489.
THE ROLE
- To help residents/households to reduce energy consumption
- Provide advice on behaviour changes that will reduce costs
- Advise and assist with supplier/tariff switching and/or billing issues
- Assist with income maximisation measures – eg Warm Home Discount, water discounts, fuel vouchers, etc.
- Identify households eligible for the Priority Services Register
- Refer households on for further support – eg complex issues, home improvement grant assessments, benefits checking. Fire safety referral
- Record activity/achievements to help assess the impact of the role.
Optional roles if you want to be more proactive or go out into various institutions:
- Ability to arrange drop-in clinics/events at new venues
- You can also study City and Guilds Level 3 Domestic Energy Awareness leading to paid work if you would like to take this further.
Requirements
Skills and competencies
- A caring and understanding approach and ability to show empathy
- Good listening skills, and ability to explain things clearly
- Ability to use own initiative and pay attention to detail
- Good analytical, decision making and problem solving skills
+ If you are able to be even more pro-active in your community, then these skills will be really helpful too:
- Proficient when using web based platforms and forms, and MS Office
- Use of own phone and IT equipment.
- Clear DBS check less than 3 years old from issue date, if you intend to go into schools or work with children.
Training Details
The training will be on two afternoons from 1-4:30pm – (both days must be attended.)
The training will be held in Totnes.
There are only 10 places!
Cost: FREE *
* The training is being provided with generous financial assistence & support from Transition Town Totnes whose purpose is to strengthen the local economy, reduce our environmental impact, and build our resilience for a future with less cheap energy and a changing climate.