Michelle Donelan MP celebrates WWCE energy advice initiative

Since its launch in November 2022, Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy’s (WWCE) Keeping Warm This Winter pop-up energy advice sessions have helped over 340 Wiltshire residents to better understand how they can stay warm while reducing their energy bills over the colder months.

The programme proved so successful that it attracted the attention of Chippenham MP and Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan, who joined the WWCE team for one of its final energy cafés at Melksham Library recently.

Ms Donelan first contacted the organisation in December last year and was pleased to accept its invitation to attend in person. She said,

“It was great to see for myself the community support being offered by WWCE in Melksham. These energy workshops have been proving invaluable for local people, providing them with the much-needed tools to reduce their bills with advice, tips and support.”

Jessica Thimbleby, WWCE’s carbon reduction champion has been working closely with a host of local community groups and organisations to run a total of 16 sessions across Melksham and Purton. Her informative energy advice cafes have been hosted by groups including the Community Larder, That Meeting Space, and Melksham Library, as well as Pips Community Café and Swindon Lip Reading Group.

Julian Barlow Chair of WWCE said,

“As well as being Chair of WWCE I am also a local Parish Councillor from Compton Bassett, a small Wiltshire Village, so am all too aware of the devastating effect these cruel energy price hikes have been having on the more vulnerable members of our community in Wiltshire. That is why I am so pleased that our community energy company can provide practical tips and advice and am not surprised that Jess’ work has garnered such praise from Michelle Donelan MP.”

Jessica added,

“The events have been well received by residents in both Melksham and Purton. The feedback we’ve had has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear that the cafes have been very helpful, particularly the practical displays which have reached people who have been struggling with spiralling energy bills. WWCE is hugely grateful to all of the groups that we have partnered with over the past five months, and I hope everyone went away having learnt new things, including how to access further support.”

Further help: