Using Maths Skills to lower energy bills in Slough

Helen Dean delivered a session on reducing home energy costs to her first Maths lesson on Monday 27th February 2017. 

Using funding from Berkshire Community Foundation to fund building new relationships with new partners, the session was a great success. Tutor Adrian Arnold-Smith (pictured with Helen and some of the students) had already given the students some Maths questions around calculating home energy usage, and was glad to show how Maths could be applied in practical everyday circumstances. 

Students learnt how to compare costs and switch supplier, about free insulation and boiler repairs, grants and benefits that are available to those on low incomes, and top tips on reducing energy costs at home. One student gave this feedback ‘ This is  very useful information about energy and how to save money’. 

Subsequently, Helen was delighted to arrange to deliver another session at a Maths lesson at Penn Road Children’s Centre in April with Energy Best deal funding

Elsewhere in Slough and using funding from Energy Best Deal Helene delivered training to Shelter advice works in Slough. The session covered how to help their clients reduce their home energy costs, with detailed advice for those with low incomes or with additional needs.

 

Guest blog March 2017: Foundations Independent Living Trust - Turn2us

Guest blog March 2017: Foundations Independent Living Trust - Turn2us

CCB Funding Workshop for Community Buildings and Groups Well Received.

On Wednesday 22nd February CCB ran a funding workshop which was attended by more than 30 people, held at the Calcot Centre. The main speaker was Julian May from Greenham Common Trust who talked about their new funding platform, The Good Exchange which is replacing Findmeagrant and being rolled out to include the whole of Berkshire. Further details can be found at www.thegoodexchange.com

Jo Naylor from West Berkshire Council spoke about funds available for communities in West Berkshire including parish plan grants, Members Community Bids and a new grant stream run in conjunction with Greenham Common Trust about devolution of services to be launched on 21st March.

Wendy Dacey talked about other funding opportunities both locally and nationally. CCB is grateful to West Berkshire Council for supporting the meeting through its Adult and Community learning programme.

Comments from learners included: 

"Exactly as billed. Knowledgeable speakers. Opportunity to meet and connect with others in similar circumstances. Great Q& A session."

"The procedure to obtain funding and who to apply to was explained. Useful to talk to other groups."

Big Shoes to Fill - CCB says farewell to Arlene Kersley, Rural Housing Enabler

Arlene Kersley, who has been the Rural Housing Enabler for Berkshire at CCB since 2005, has taken the decision to take early retirement at the end of April. Tim Parry from CCB will field any rural housing queries and organise Housing Need Surveys until a new member of the team can be found.

Throughout the 12 years that Arlene has been with CCB she has been a linchpin for Berkshire communities to get advice on rural affordable housing. Arlene has conducted in excess of 40 housing need surveys over the years and been directly involved in the development of 4 rural exception sites that house 41 families with local connections to their villages.

The lovely Arlene at work - a few pics illustrating all the wonderful things she has done during her time at CCB- she will be sorely missed by all the team!

In more recent years Arlene has been focused on Neighbourhood Planning and has provided training to groups across Berkshire, as well as being directly involved in all aspects of the development of the Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan which is expected to go to referendum in June.

"I have loved every aspect of the work I have done with Berkshire communities. The role has been very varied and has been given me all sorts of opportunities to stand up and shout out about the need to develop more quality affordable homes in our rural villages. Nothing has made me more proud than to see the faces of the families who are getting the keys to a new home on opening day"

Arlene has been involved with countless consultations and research projects, and has organised numerous conferences and training sessions over the years.

Arlene says that one of the aspects of her job that she has particularly enjoyed has been the ability to become a leading expert in the field of rural housing and the flexibility to share this expertise within the context of a number of national fora, especially with other RHEs nationally.

Arlene will miss and be missed by CCB. 

"I may be going, but I think that there is a legacy at CCB for delivering very sound projects to Berkshire's rural communities. I hope that that continues far into the future. One thing is for sure, despite, or maybe because of a difficult period in funding, the need for affordable homes is as pressing as ever."

Tim Parry, Chief Officer said "CCB and communities across Berkshire and beyond have been extremely fortunate to have benefited from the dedication to affordable rural housing shown by Arlene. Berkshire had never had a rural housing enabler before Arlene started, and from a standing start, Arlene made the project her own. The tremendous success that it has been is wholly down to her".

The CCB team will be saying farewell formally to Arlene in April, no doubt a glass or two will be raised by all!