HUG's Street Champions - championing the Low Carbon Zone

HUG, working in partnership with South West London Environment Network, is running a separate, but linked project with the Low Carbon Zone. The project has created a network of 'Street Champions' to engage residents living in Ham and Petersham to undertake measures such as draught-proofing, increasing insulation and encouraging 'behaviour change' by making the pro environmental choices easy with the goal of creating more efficient, warmer, cosier dwellings and lower energy bills (thus saving CO2). This project is called the Ham and Petersham Street Champions project. The video below shows how we have worked with the Council to promote the very successful Low Carbon Zone scheme.

"I think the work that you're doing is invaluable"

The project has recruited 30 Street Champions and has been hugely successful in promoting the Low Carbon Zone scheme. The take-up of the LCZ shows a 24% increase in streets with a Street Champion compared to streets without one. In addition, the project is developing community cohesion - residents report an improvement in the general environment and also say that they feel more confident engaging with other members of the copmmunity. The community development aspect is ensuring that learning occurs and knowledge stays within the community, which should allow the work to continue even after the project's funding has finished.

The project has been featured in The Ecologist magazine. To see the full article, click here.

Street Champion events coming up

• Next Street Champions event: 7th February, 7pm at the Little House, Ham Close. We will be going out to 'nudge' residents to take up their free home energy assessments before the LCZ scheme ends on 31st March.
• Street Champions meeting: 1st March, 7pm at the Little House, Ham Close.

  Plus, more events for anyone to join in:

Second Tuesday of every month at the Hand & Flower: Ham Green Drinks. Socialise, theorise, connect & dream......... We meet at 6.30pm - look for the sign of ye olde green drink.

More plus: Bike Repair workshops are starting at Ham Youth Club on Sat 1st October, from 10am to 12pm every other Saturday - the next one is 10th December. Go around the side of the Youth Centre building and you'll see an open door into the hall. Get there early to make sure Jonathan can find time for you - it's usually very busy. If you'd like to help out then I'm sure you'd be welcome to do so.

Draughtproofing training plus WORK opportunities: the Project has obtained funding to pay for 2 local residents to receive training in draughtproofing. This will lead to work opportunities in the area. If you are interested,  please apply to chas.warlow@gmail.com. 

 See our Energy Bank for more ideas on how to save energy in the home..... http://e-voice.org.uk/hamunitedgroup/street-champions/energy-bank/

   Facebook: our events and up-to-date "chat" are live at http://www.facebook.com/groups/148018951975365/