New Forest residents to benefit from free energy saving scheme

New Forest District Council is partnering with Community Energy South to fund a new free energy saving advice and volunteer training programme. 

Together, the organisations have provided New Forest Transition with £40,000 in funding to deliver the New Forest HEAT (Home Energy Advice Team) Project, which aims to support residents in becoming more energy-aware and to provide them with free advice on cutting their energy bills. 

The New Forest HEAT Project is encouraging residents to get in touch this autumn and winter, either to request advice, or to train as an advisor. Local people can sign up to train for free to become volunteer energy advisors for the New Forest community. This volunteer team will then be providing free advice across the district to help residents save energy and money.      

Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “We are proud to be supporting New Forest Transition, together with Community Energy South, by providing £40,000 in funding from our allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. By supporting the delivery of this programme, we are ensuring that we are continuing to take climate action and working towards our aim of becoming net zero carbon by 2050.” 

“This programme is an excellent way to support our residents to develop their green skills, improve the energy efficiency of their homes, and reduce energy bills, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this programme has within our community.” 

Laura Wilson, Head of Community Energy Pathways at Community Energy South, said: “Community Energy South is delighted to be working with New Forest Transition on this exciting project to develop green skills and encourage communities to take action on energy reduction. There is a lot of great work at a community level already happening within the New Forest, including through Community Energy New Forest, and this project offers an opportunity to link all these together." 

Cathy Cook, Project Consultant at New Forest HEAT Project, said: “We are delighted to be receiving this grant and are very much looking forward to our volunteer team providing energy advice and thermal imaging surveys direct to New Forest communities through home visits, and also through local energy events at village halls.” 

Residents can request more information, or apply to become volunteers, by emailing New Forest HEAT Project at coordinator@theheatproject.org.uk or calling 023 8028 3491. 

The New Forest HEAT Project will be hosting its launch event for volunteers on Saturday 14 September at the Lyndhurst Community Centre, Central Car Park, High Street, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY, from 10am to 3pm.

Volunteers can email training@theheatproject.org.uk by 12pm on Monday 2 September to book their space.