North Birmingham Partners Launch Birmingham Community Action Network (B:Can)
Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) and a consortium of local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations have secured nearly £400,000 funding through the Energy Redress Scheme to facilitate and deliver community-based energy advice and support to local residents across North Birmingham.
The Energy Redress Scheme is a voluntary initiative in the UK that provides funding to organizations for energy-related projects that benefit people in England, Scotland, and Wales. The scheme has awarded over £34 million to nearly 200 projects that support vulnerable energy customers and carbon emission reduction initiatives.
Alongside WLCA, the consortium is made up of Nishkam Civic Association, New Hope Global, Age Concern Birmingham and Birchfield Local. These established, community-focused organisations are well placed to provide local energy advice with a proven track record of working with and supporting North Birmingham residents.
Launch Event
Hosted by WLCA at their main hub in Perry Common, the consortium was officially launched on Friday 27th October with the partner organisations coming together under the umbrella brand of the newly formed Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN).
B:CAN-Energy has been established in response to the issues faced by communities across North Birmingham as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. In particular, the rise in household gas & electricity costs that affects millions of homes across the UK, with 1 in 5 households being thrown into fuel poverty across England & Wales this year alone.
Through the Energy Redress funding, partners will employ B:CAN-Energy Community Advisors to support local residents with easy-to-access energy advice services. This initiative is essential in addressing energy-related issues, supporting vulnerable energy customers, and contributing to carbon emission reduction in the region.
Energy Advice Services
Energy Advice Services on offer will include:-
- Drop-in sessions
- Energy cafes
- Face-to-face appointments
- Special energy forums
- Telephone advice calls
- Home assessment visits
Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer at Witton Lodge, said “We are delighted that the Energy Redress Scheme funding will support WLCA and our B:CAN-Energy partners deliver free, essential energy support to those that need it most within our communities. This is an opportunity for collaboration, to prove the power of these partnerships, sharing knowledge and best practice to help each other deliver positive, sustainable impact for our residents.”
The project will run until end of January 2025.
