We are quite excited. Our resident engagement work is going from strength to strength. 

First of all we have had strong feedback that our training impacts on resident behavior. We have also been asked to assist with an enormous engagement exercise.

Impacting on behavior

Earlier this year, I carried out a series of `energy saving in the home’ training sessions. Both housing association residents and staff attended. The day covered a variety of issues including:

• understanding how we use energy;
• reducing heat loss in buildings;
• electricity use looking at energy guzzlers in the home;
• using energy display devices effectively;
• tariff changing and,  
• Feed In Tariffs. 

To follow on from these sessions, I thought it would be a good idea to contact some of the residents who attended to see if they had put anything that they had learnt from the course into practice! And I am pleased to report they had. Here’s what they had to say…

One resident reported since attending the workshop "I’ve checked all the meter readings and have gone on line so we can update our bills monthly." Another resident said "I keep an eye on the electric and make sure I do not have anything on standby."

Residents liked that their housing association was interested in reducing their energy bill.  One resident reported "I was very pleased to see Hastoe were keen to help the tenants save electric. They have come up with several good ideas."

It has been useful to get direct feedback from those attending our courses, months after the event.  It has confirmed the impact of engaging on energy awareness:

• encourages 'green' behaviour and foster a sense of community
• improves  understanding of heating systems and fuel bills
• builds trust between landlords and residents
• is likely to increase buy-in and support for off related initiatives you maybe undertaking such as retrofitting homes

Enormous engagement – piloting a national programme

The Young Foundation is a centre for social innovation focusing on bringing together innovation and entrepreneurship to meet social needs. The Foundation has been involved in a variety of projects which include helping to establish the Open University and the precursor to NHS Direct. 

Currently the foundation is piloting the U: a citizens university.  The U assists volunteers to train members of the public in useful life skills. These skills and the process of sharing this best practice is designed to make our community safer, healthier and more sustainable. 

The U unlocks potential by making useful learning fun. The first module focuses on first aid skills and is in partnership with the British Red Cross. Sustainable Homes is leading on developing the curriculum for the second module - Green Your Home. We will be providing training in Sutton and Northumberland as well as a third (yet to be determined) site.  If you live in these areas and want to learn about first aid or greening your home email megan@the-u.org.uk  

The U is launching in its first public home on June 11th, in the London borough of Sutton. The U team will be on hand all day to answer questions and help people sign up to upcoming learning sessions. For more details, click here. Sustainable Homes may even make a special guest appearance… 

If the pilot is successful, the U could be rolled out, potentially to cover 1% of the UK population! Watch this space for further updates as The U is rolled out this summer!

We are providing resident engagement courses for other organisations. These courses can be tailored to your needs at a location that works for you. A one day course is also being held on 29th June if you just want to send one or two people.  Gain more information.  Book places. Contact our resident engagement expert Rachel Walls rachel@sustainablehomes.co.uk 0208 973 0420

Also note our financing greening homes conference is on it’s way.  Learn how to access EU and Government funding to retrofit existing homes June 8 and June 15^th 

Do get in touch info@sustainablehomes.co.uk Rachel Walls, Sustainable Homes