GreenWays to Work - Case Studies

Sigrid Grierson– Foyer Support Worker (Impact Housing Association)

Sigrid is a support worker who helps develop the life skills of the 15 young people who live independently at The Eden Rural Foyer in Penrith. When Sigrid first heard of the GreenWays to Work project she contacted the manager to inquire whether someone from the project could come and deliver a session on energy awareness to the young people she supports; we explained that we wanted to increase her knowledge so that she would be able to disseminate energy advice to current and future residents of the Foyer.

Sigrid volunteered to come on the first Ascentis Level 2 Energy Awareness course that we delivered for Impact Housing in March 2010. Following the successful completion of the training Sigrid approached GreenWays’ Energy Efficiency training adviser for help in creating an informative presentation on energy awareness that she could use in training sessions for Foyer residents; she has now incorporated it into her life skills delivery. She also uses the information pack, provided during the training, to advise and inform the young residents during their key working sessions.

Sigrid’s interest in energy awareness has now increased to the point where she has volunteered to be an active member of the organisation’s environment group whose objective is to address the reduction of overall carbon emissions and waste.

Pamela Wrenn - Housing Officer (Eden District Council)

Pamela was a trainee on the project’s first Energy Awareness course, as a Housing Officer for the district council she was becoming extremely concerned about the increase in the number of people in fuel poverty. Working in the Eden area Pamela is very aware of issues in rural areas and wanted to help address these.

Following the training Pamela has become an active member of the Fuel Poverty Task Group for Cumbria and the Eden Winter Warmth Group. In preparation for the winter period Pamela arranged a series of events in rural communities for local residents to receive energy advice. Linking up with Action with Communities in Cumbria, Pamela has gone on to organise energy advice sessions for groups e.g.. Barnardos, the Fire Service, the Women’s Institute, Coffee Mornings and Parent & Toddler groups etc.

Pamela has continued working with individual residents giving advice, using thermal imaging on properties and setting up workshops and continually raising awareness of the issues surrounding energy use.