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<\/p>\nA community-led initiative aimed at tackling fuel poverty has helped 60 households in Sheffield improve their home energy efficiency – thanks to a charitable grant fr om South Yorkshire\u2019s Community Foundation (SYCF). Upper Don Community Energy, a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2019, received \u00a35,000 in funding to deliver its\u00a0Community Warming Project\u00a0across the areas of Penistone, Stocksbridge, Chapeltown and High Green.<\/p>\n
The project, which supports people facing rising energy costs, focused on reducing household carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency through volunteer-led education and practical improvements. Thanks to the funding, the group was able to hire a dedicated project administrator to coordinate volunteers, manage resources and fund the delivery of energy-saving upgrades in local homes.<\/p>\n
As a result, 60 households benefited from practical energy-efficiency installations, including draught excluders, window and door insulation tape, thermal curtains, LED light bulbs, radiator foil and pipe lagging.<\/p>\n
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Catherine Cotterill, director at Upper Don Community Energy, said: \u201cThe success of our Community Warming Project is down to the dedication of our volunteers and the excellent coordination of our project administrator, made possible through SYCF\u2019s funding. Without this support, we simply couldn\u2019t have reached so many local residents struggling with fuel poverty.\u201d<\/p>\n
To celebrate the project\u2019s achievements, volunteers, staff and community members came together at a special event hosted at\u00a0The Venue\u00a0in Stocksbridge. Upper Don Community Energy plans to use the remainder of the grant to fund a temporary administrator who will help allocate remaining resources. <\/p>\n
The team is also consulting on a potential\u00a0Phase 2\u00a0of the project, which would focus on helping residents prevent damp and mould in their homes. Jess O\u2019Neill, grants and partnerships manager at SYCF, said: \u201cWe\u2019re proud to have supported Upper Don Community Energy\u2019s important work. It\u2019s inspiring to see people come together to tackle fuel poverty, helping others to stay warm, safe and informed.\u201d<\/p>\n