Futureproof Cumbria

Year: 2022

  • Grants available for Great Big Green Week events

    Grants available for Great Big Green Week events

    Community groups can be awarded up to £300 to host community events during Great Big Green Week (GBGW) 24th September – 2nd October 2022.

    This week is coordinated by the Climate Coalition as a way of raising awareness of climate change and getting more people involved in taking action.

    They have made resources available for events which are targeted at geographic areas or communities of interest which haven’t previously been supported to promote awareness on climate change.  In particular, they are looking to encourage events in disadvantaged areas, and with more vulnerable communities, such as migrants and refugees, older people, younger people, people with disabilities etc.

    CAfS can provide up to £300 of funding for venue hire, publicity materials, speaker expenses, film hire, other activities and equipment.  Any surplus generated through donations should be retained by your group.

    The number of groups we can support through the Climate Coalition funding is limited, however, additional resources could also be available from the Zero Carbon Cumbria community climate grants,  especially if you are looking for further support to set up a new group in your area.

    We can also provide additional resources such as information about the Cold to Cosy Homes initiative, which aims to provide support and advice to people who are struggling with their energy bills; materials with more information on how to reduce your carbon footprint; ideas about activities which took place at events last year, and maybe a speaker too (depending on availability).  It may be that established sustainability groups in your area can also help to support work with new groups and audiences.

    It is important to note that local groups will remain the lead organisers responsible for delivery of their respective events, and will need to ensure that they have undertaken appropriate risk assessments and are indemnified to carry out their proposed activities.  So although the activities will be part of a wider Zero Carbon Cumbria / Cumbria Sustainability Network programme of events, CAfS will not take direct responsibility for delivery.

    Find out more

    If you would like to chat about your ideas, or would like more information about the project and how CAfS can help, please get in touch with [email protected]

    Let us know if you are interested

    Please complete an expression of interest form and return it to CAfS, outlining your ideas and additional costings, via [email protected] .  We will advise you straight away whether your idea is likely to receive funding.  If you meet our criteria (not for profit; local group based in a disadvantaged area, or supporting vulnerable people; well thought out plans and value for money) we will organise payment as soon as possible.

    In order to make sure that you have enough time to plan your activities for Great Big Green Week, we require you to complete and return the attached form as soon as possible or at the very latest by Friday 2nd September.

    If your proposal is accepted, you will be asked to sign our Terms and Conditions and submit an invoice for payment.  If you do not have a bank account, in some circumstances CAfS may be prepared to pay invoices (e.g. for room hire) on your behalf.

    Download the application form >>

  • Smaller grants lead to widespread action

    Smaller grants lead to widespread action

    The Zero Carbon Cumbria Community Climate Grants have been awarded to 11 organisations over the past few months. Earlier this year, we updated you on the two large grants (up to £10,000) awarded to community projects working to reduce carbon emissions in Cumbria.

    Now, we thought it was about time to give you a flavour of some of the other action taking place as a result of the grants. These projects are recipients of either the small or medium sized grants. While this is not all the projects that have been funded, they provide a snapshot of the brilliant initiative of Cumbrians working to a more sustainable future.

    Growing for the community

    A group in Greysouthen was awarded £750 to revitalise a community garden. Before this, a patch of public land was simply going to waste. The locals viewed this as a wasted opportunity and parish councillor Lee Jackson was struck by how dependent he was on getting in a car to go to the shops three miles away to purchase small quantities of herbs in plastic packaging.  They thought, ‘why not give the land a purpose – to grow food for the local community’?

    The money from the grant has been used to buy tools and plants. So far, a healthy supply of rosemary, thyme, parsley, sage, blackcurrants, gooseberries, figs, pears and apples are getting established within the garden. Neighbours are performing ongoing maintenance and donating their water, though a new hose is on the shopping list. The group also hope to produce an information board about the community garden using the funds from the Community Climate Grant. This will raise awareness of the ‘grow local, eat local’ rationale behind the project.

    When a substantial crop is yielded, the group hope that the garden can provide free, low carbon food for the vulnerable people in the area. They have also ensured that the parish council will pay for a part time gardener for the plot, creating local low carbon employment, as well as ensuring that the garden continues to grow and flourish for years to come.

    Lee said: “A small amount of money can have a big impact on the community.  As the garden develops, we hope that more people will understand the importance of growing food locally, and will be inspired to take more actions to reduce their carbon footprint and do the right thing by the environment. We’d love the project to create a legacy which continues to bring people together, perhaps it could be the basis for a harvest festival celebration?

    “Applying for the Community Climate Grant was a straightforward process and the Community Garden for Climate was a good way to start to raise issues and get people involved in tackling the climate crisis.  I’d definitely recommend other groups to have a go!”

    Lighting the way

    The Field Studies Council (FSC) at Castle Head received £750 to install solar panels to power a new lighting system.

    The FSC is home to a range of outdoor activities including a high ropes area visitors can traverse in a raised course. The new lights will illuminate the high ropes area during dark evenings using only power generated from the solar panels. This will allow the area to be open for longer once the system is installed. The programmes available to guests can be more flexible with timings and they will gain a new experience swinging the ropes at night.

    The centre is part of an environmental education charity with a commitment to meet net-zero targets though is also a Grade 2 listed building, meaning any adaptations must be carefully considered and are expensive.

    Student placement Oliver Peach came up with the idea for the solar powered lighting system as a way to show the benefits of renewable energy. He hopes that the success of the project will be seen by the many students of all ages that regularly visit the FSC on trips. The funding also helped to create a display board illustrating how solar energy works and why renewables are an important part of fighting climate change. Through this, the project will educate the next generation on climate solutions and Oliver hopes schools will consider installing their own solar panels as a result.

    Oliver said: “the Community Climate Grants were easy to apply for and I think it’s really important for charities to use these small grants as stepping stones. Every step in the right direction is a good step – the project demonstrates our commitment to cutting carbon emissions and hopefully will inspire many other people. It’s important to keep talking and keep educating, as the more people are motivated to make a difference the easier it will be to make that transition to Net Zero.”

    Looking to the future

    Drop Zone Youth Project were granted £1,608 to fund their accredited programme of education on climate change to be delivered to young people.

    After having moved to a new premises in Barrow, Drop Zone began looking for ways to be more sustainable in the new building. Young people involved with the discussion felt that there was a need for a long term commitment to make the building viable for future generations of young people to access their support.

    The money is being used to fund a pilot project raising awareness of climate change among young people. Working with agencies like Greener Schools Art Gene and the Wildlife Trust, attendees will undertake a 12 week project from September. This will include activities like tree planting, managing an allotment and recycling. Because they can use the funding to pay for speakers and materials, they hope that the course will educate the young people in carbon reduction.

    The young people who complete the project will gain an accreditation to help them with future prospects.

    Drop Zone are also using the funding to look into carbon reduction for their premises, including investigating solar panel feasibility and shifting to a paperless operation.

  • Job: Project Manager – Cold to Cosy Homes

    Job: Project Manager – Cold to Cosy Homes

    Closing date: 9am on Wednesday 10 August 2022.

    SALARY RANGE: £24,000-£32,000, per annum full-time equivalent, depending on skills and experience.

    LOCATION: Contractually based at our office in Penrith. However, homeworking can be agreed.  Occasional meetings required at venues across Cumbria.  

    HOURS: 30 hrs– 37.5 hrs a week, with flexibility to be worked across 4 or 5 days with option for compressed hours. Core office hours are 10am-3pm but these can be negotiated. Annualised hours can be considered.

    START/END DATE: Start as soon as possible. Fixed–term contract to 30 September 2023 (with potential for extension subject to funding).

    Are you an experienced leader with a proven record of delivering projects and managing a team of colleagues? You could use your skillset to make a crucial difference to people in Cumbria.

    We need a brilliant new colleague to join and run our friendly Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria team. You’ll be helping Cumbrians to make their homes warmer, save energy and save money. Our service helps people who are struggling with their energy bills, including some of the most vulnerable folk in the county.  

    You’ll be the person heading up the team, managing 8 employees and 10 contractors. You’ll oversee customer service processes to ensure a high quality experience for our clients. Alongside this, you’ll also help to raise the profile of the service generally, interacting frequently with the public, community groups and partners at events, webinars and training.

    As an employee of Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), you’ll be working for an organisation that is flexible, supportive and values your wellbeing. We can offer you a healthy work/life balance, including some flexibility in when and where you work your hours, along with an employer pension contribution of 6% from day one of employment and holiday entitlement of 22 days pro rata plus bank and public holidays. 

    CAfS is Cumbria’s climate change organisation. Our vision is a zero carbon Cumbria and we strive to bring about a better way of life in balance with our environment. Our mission is to empower and enable people, communities, and businesses to live and work more sustainably by sharing our knowledge, practice, skills, networks and practical experience. We manage and deliver events, advice, training and practical projects across the county as well as providing specialist consultancy services to enable individuals, communities, businesses and local authorities to drive a shift towards a Zero Carbon Cumbria.  

    We hope you will consider joining us and being part of Cumbria-wide efforts to tackle climate change while making lives better.  

    Below you’ll find full details about the role and the skills you’d ideally have. You’ll find these in the job description and person specification. If you can’t tick all the boxes, please do apply as we can offer support and on-the-job training to the right candidate. If you have any questions about the job or the application process, please do get in touch for an informal chat with our energy team leader Andrew: [email protected].

    Job description & person specification

    Download the job description and person specification to see full details about the role and the skills and experience you’d ideally have:

    Project Manager – Cold to Cosy Homes – Job Description

    How to apply

    To apply, please download and fill in the application form below. Please do not send a CV. In the form, you’ll see some guidance on how to complete it.

    CAfS Application Form

    Closing date for return of applications is 9am on 10 August 2022.

    Interviews will be held via Zoom between 16 – 19 August 2022.  Can’t make these dates? Please do still apply, as we can make other arrangements with you. The interview process will involve one or more tasks relating to the role.

     

    Some great benefits of working at CAfS

    Deciding whether to apply? Working at CAfS comes with some great benefits. You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive organisation, and your wellbeing and work/life balance are hugely important to us. As well as flexibility around your working hours and location, as mentioned above, you’ll have 22 days of paid annual leave pro rata, plus bank/public holidays. We pay an employer pension contribution of 6% from day one of employment.  

    Find out more about the benefits of working at CAfS >

  • Calling young people to the Youth Climate Fest

    Calling young people to the Youth Climate Fest

    Young Cumbrians aged 11 – 18 are being invited to a free day of activities and workshops in Penrith to talk about climate issues.

    The event, which takes place on Wed 27 Jul, will provide an opportunity for young people who care about climate change to meet like-minded peers to discuss the environment alongside positive input from a host of organisations.

    The planned activities will aim to make the young people feel supported, and validate them to make changes in their own lives for the benefit of the planet.

    Youth Climate Fest 2022 flyerA carousel of different events to empower the voices of the attendees will include things like a clothes swap to highlight the issue of fast fashion. Previously, young Cumbrians have identified this as one of their concerns.

    There will also be workshops with Lakeland Arts and poet Matt Sowerby will lead a session on dealing with eco-anxiety. The young people will even have a chance to cycle on a smoothie making bike!

    Additionally, a sociology professor will attend the event to discuss ideas around sustainable transport, and share their thoughts on how to get around using less carbon. This ties into the DecarboN8 network which is seeking youth input from across the North of England.

    There will be a free lunch during which the attendees will have the chance to chat to organisations displaying their own climate initiatives at stalls.

    We hope to provide free coach transport to the event from key locations in Cumbria. This will depend on relative demand from different parts of the county. If you are interested in coming to the Youth Climate Fest, please contact [email protected]

    The event is a collaboration between CAfS, CDEC, Cumbria County Council and Lakeland Arts.

     

     

  • Job: Project Officer – Energy Team

    Job: Project Officer – Energy Team

    SALARY RANGE:  £21,336 to £25,400 per annum full-time equivalent, (£17,068, to £20,320 for a 30-hour week) depending on skills and experience. 

    HOURS:  22.5 to 30 hours a week, with flexibility to work across 3, 4 or 5 days. The working times are flexible but must include core office hours of 10am-3pm unless agreed otherwise. There may also be occasional need to work evenings/weekends for event or meeting support. 

    START/END DATE: Start as soon as possible. Fixed-term contract to 30 April 2023 (with potential for extension subject to funding) 

    LOCATION:  Contractually based at our office in Penrith. However, we are open to flexible working patterns and blended home, site and office working. 

    Could you help us run our range of home energy projects and services?

    If you have experience of working on projects or helping to run a service, then we’d love to hear from you. Demand has never been higher for our home energy services, as people around Cumbria struggle more and more with rising energy bills. We have some fantastic services to help households save on their home energy bills, but we need a new colleague to help us deliver them and expand them.

    You’ll be supporting our award-winning Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service. We offer energy-saving advice and free draughtproofing, through in-home visits, by phone and at events around the county. CAfS also offers a range of commercial services to householders wanting to retrofit their homes to save energy, such as home audits and advice services.  You’ll be a core part of our friendly team making it all happen.

    You’ll have the independence to get on and deliver aspects of the service, supporting the service manager. You’ll deliver energy advice, give great customer service, build relationships with partners to help us expand the service and support our team of professional energy advisers.

    You’ll also use your experience and creativity to develop new ways to support our clients to save energy and afford to heat their homes. 

    As an employee of Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), you’ll be working for an organisation that is flexible, supportive and values your wellbeing. We can offer you a healthy work/life balance, including some flexibility in when and where you work your hours, along with an employer pension contribution of 6% from day one of employment and holiday entitlement of 22 days pro rata plus bank and public holidays. 

    CAfS is Cumbria’s climate change organisation. Our vision is a zero carbon Cumbria and we strive to bring about a better way of life in balance with our environment. Our mission is to empower and enable people, communities, and businesses to live and work more sustainably by sharing our knowledge, practice, skills, networks and practical experience. We manage and deliver events, advice, training and practical projects across the county as well as providing specialist consultancy services to enable individuals, communities, businesses and local authorities to drive a shift towards a Zero Carbon Cumbria.  

    We hope you will consider joining us and being part of Cumbria-wide efforts to tackle climate change while making lives better.  

    Below you’ll find full details about the role and the skills you’d ideally have. You’ll find these in the job description and person specification. If you can’t tick all the boxes, please do apply as we can offer support and on-the-job training to the right candidate. If you have any questions about the job or the application process, please do get in touch for an informal chat with the Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria manager, Gareth: [email protected].

    Job description & person specification

    The job description and person specification below will give you full details about the role and experience you’d ideally have:

    Project Officer – Job Description

    How to apply

    To apply, please download and fill in the application form below and email it to [email protected]

    CAfS Application Form

    There is no closing date for return of applications. We’ll close recruitment when we’ve found the right candidate, so please do apply sooner rather than later.

    If your application is successful, we’ll invite you for an interview and arrange a time to suit you. Interviews will be held via Zoom.

    Not sure you’ve got the right skills or experience? You’re welcome to send us your CV and have a chat with the service manager. Email [email protected].

    Some great benefits of working at CAfS

    Deciding whether to apply? Working at CAfS comes with some great benefits. You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive organisation, and your wellbeing and work/life balance are hugely important to us. As well as flexibility around your working hours and location, as mentioned above, you’ll have 22 days of paid annual leave pro rata, plus bank/public holidays. We pay an employer pension contribution of 6% from day one of employment.  

    Find out more about the benefits of working at CAfS >

  • Advice on smart meters to be provided by our helpline

    Advice on smart meters to be provided by our helpline

    Our energy advice helpline has begun providing guidance to Cumbrians on smart meters and whether this clever equipment could help them save money on their home energy bills.

    The Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service already provides free advice to help households to save energy and cut the amount they spend on heating and powering their home.

    The team has added smart meters to the list of things the helpline covers. They can provide impartial advice for residents who may be struggling to decide on a smart meter or get to grips with the new technology.

    A smart meter is an energy meter that records the exact amount of gas or electricity a home uses and displays it in near real time on an in-home display device. Smart meters are replacing traditional gas and electricity meters as part of an essential infrastructure upgrade. About half of all meters in the UK are now smart meters.

    Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria manager Gareth Field said: “We recently put out a survey on smart meters and found that a lot of people aren’t quite sure what they actually do. Our mission is to help people save money on energy bills and smart meters can help with that, so it’s vital that we’re able to add smart meters to the list of topics our team can offer advice on.

    “Installing a smart meter can often help people to keep a closer eye on how much energy they use and where they could make savings. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re right for everybody and we want to provide impartial guidance to help Cumbrians make the right decision for them.”

    They also store records of how much gas and electricity has been used each day, week and month, allowing energy suppliers to charge for the exact amount of energy used a

    Smart meter and the cold to cosy homes website

    nd for users to pinpoint precisely where costs are coming from. They don’t automatically reduce the amount of energy used, but they help people see how they could use less.

    Smart meters can also be more convenient.

    “With a smart meter, your gas and electricity readings are sent directly to your energy supplier,” Gareth said. “This means no more digging around in a cupboard or getting on a ladder to read the meter. People also asked about data security and privacy in our survey. It’s secure, and the only information that gets sent to your supplier is how much energy you use and when you use it. They can’t see how you’re using that energy, or when the washing machine is on!”

    Energy providers are currently engaged in a nationwide rollout of smart meters, requesting customers commit to dates to replace their old meter with the new technology.

    Gareth said: “The soaring costs of energy prices are having a huge impact on household budgets so it’s really important that people are equipped to reduce their bills in any way they can. I urge anyone unsure about smart meters to check the FAQs on our website or call our helpline for free advice.”

    Some homes can’t get a smart meter yet but will be able to get one before the end of the rollout.

    “Your energy supplier can tell you if you can have one or how soon you can get one installed,” Gareth said.

    CAfS has been able to expand its helpline services thanks to funding from Smart Energy GB, the not-for-profit, government-backed campaign helping everyone in Britain to understand the importance of smart meters and their benefits to people and the environment.

    People looking for advice on smart meters can go to cosyhomes.org.uk or call the Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria helpline on 01768 216500.

  • Grant funding to improve your community heritage buildings

    Grant funding to improve your community heritage buildings

    A grant fund of  £100,000 has been made available for people to make energy-efficiency changes to their community buildings of heritage value.

    CAfS is administering the Heritage Community Buildings Fund, and grants are available for groups and organisations who are involved in community heritage buildings projects that benefit the sustainability and well-being of Fellfoot Forward communities.

    The grant funding is available for projects that hope to make improvements to the fabric of these community buildings that reduce the amount of energy the building wastes. This could include, but is not exclusive to; roof, floor or wall insulation, heat pumps, double glazing, LED replacement lighting systems, traditional lime plaster, water saving devices, and solar PV installation.

    Up to 60% of total costs can be applied for. The minimum match funding is 40%, which can be made up of cash contributions from fundraising etc. and up to 10% can be as volunteer time calculated at £50 per day.

    The £100,000 total expenditure has been budgeted for four years. It is anticipated that most activity will be in years 2-3, and projects must be completed by the end of 2024.

    Applications will be assessed by the Heritage Community Buildings Grants Manager and the Fellfoot Forward Advisory Board.

    The Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme can support communities to change their community buildings to become low carbon and sustainable, and to focus on opportunities to retrofit and renovate, utilising renewable energy, choosing natural materials, and nurturing an ethos of reduce, reuse, repair and recycle.

    Please get in touch if you are planning renovations and improvements to a community building and would like support.

    Email [email protected] to check eligibility and discuss potential projects.

  • Job: Customer Administrator

    Job: Customer Administrator

    Closing date: 9am on Tuesday 12 July 2022.

    SALARY RANGE: £19,305 to £22,352 full-time equivalent (£15,444 to £17,881 for a 30-hour week).  

    LOCATION: Contractually based at our office in Penrith. However, homeworking can be agreed.  Occasional meetings required at venues across Cumbria.  

    HOURS: 22.5 to 30 hours per week, with flexibility to work across 3, 4 or 5 days. The working times are flexible but must include core office hours of 10am-3pm unless agreed otherwise. There may also be occasional need to work evenings/weekends for event or meeting support.  

    START/END DATE: Start as soon as possible. Fixed term contract to April 2023 (with potential for extension subject to funding). 

    So, you’re an experienced administrator with great customer service skills… how about using your expertise to make a real difference for people in Cumbria? 

    We need a fantastic new colleague to join our friendly Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria team. You’ll be helping Cumbrians to make their homes warmer, save energy and save money. Our service helps people who are struggling with their energy bills, including some of the most vulnerable folk in the county.  

    You’ll be the first point of contact for people getting in touch with us by phone, email or via our online enquiry form, handling enquiries and arranging for our energy advisers to go out and see them. You’ll also help with all the other behind the scenes administration that keeps the Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service running smoothly – from supporting events to administering meetings.  

    As an employee of Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), you’ll be working for an organisation that is flexible, supportive and values your wellbeing. We can offer you a healthy work/life balance, including some flexibility in when and where you work your hours, along with an employer pension contribution of 6% from day one of employment and holiday entitlement of 22 days pro rata plus bank and public holidays. 

    CAfS is Cumbria’s climate change organisation. Our vision is a zero carbon Cumbria and we strive to bring about a better way of life in balance with our environment. Our mission is to empower and enable people, communities, and businesses to live and work more sustainably by sharing our knowledge, practice, skills, networks and practical experience. We manage and deliver events, advice, training and practical projects across the county as well as providing specialist consultancy services to enable individuals, communities, businesses and local authorities to drive a shift towards a Zero Carbon Cumbria.  

    We hope you will consider joining us and being part of Cumbria-wide efforts to tackle climate change while making lives better.  

    Below you’ll find full details about the role and the skills you’d ideally have. You’ll find these in the job description and person specification. If you can’t tick all the boxes, please do apply as we can offer support and on-the-job training to the right candidate. If you have any questions about the job or the application process, please do get in touch for an informal chat with the Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria manager, Gareth: [email protected].

    Job description & person specification

    Download the job description and person specification to see full details about the role and the skills and experience you’d ideally have:

    Customer Administrator– Job Description

    How to apply

    To apply, please download and fill in the application form below. Please do not send a CV. In the form, you’ll see some guidance on how to complete it.

    CAfS Application Form

    Closing date for return of applications is 9am on 12 July 2022.

    Interviews will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 19 July 2022. Can’t make this date? Please do still apply, as we can make other arrangements with you. The interview process will involve one or more tasks relating to the role. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted by 9am on 14th July 2022.

    Some great benefits of working at CAfS

    Deciding whether to apply? Working at CAfS comes with some great benefits. You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive organisation, and your wellbeing and work/life balance are hugely important to us. As well as flexibility around your working hours and location, as mentioned above, you’ll have 22 days of paid annual leave pro rata, plus bank/public holidays. We pay an employer pension contribution of 6% from day one of employment.  

    Find out more about the benefits of working at CAfS >

  • Council commissions study into nature curriculum for schools

    Council commissions study into nature curriculum for schools

    Cumbria County Council has appointed CAfS to work alongside the Cumbria Development Education Centre (CDEC) and The University of Cumbria (UoC), to produce a report to help establish an improved nature curriculum for young people in Cumbria.

    The study will focus on the provision of place-based learning about the environment and sustainability for schools in Cumbria. It will include learning about the local environment and wider Cumbrian landscape, issues of sustainability, climate change and biodiversity as well as experiences that build appreciation for nature and the environment.

    Over the next few months, the partnership will be sending a questionnaire and arranging interviews with schools and other education providers. These will gather info on what provision is already being delivered from early years to post-16 to identify gaps in delivery, establish possible barriers to delivery and highlight opportunities to improve things.

    The data collected will be used to create a report on ways to support schools to embed place-based learning about the environment and sustainability throughout the curriculum that will help equip young people with knowledge and skills for the future.

    Work for the study is now underway and will begin reporting in the autumn.

    If any schools and education providers are interested in contributing to the report or would like further information, please get in touch with [email protected].

    Councillor Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:

    “This is a really key piece of work which will help lead to an improved curriculum for all while also supporting national environmental commitments. By establishing a nature curriculum that is based on the unique geography and history of Cumbria, we can give young people skills and knowledge to actively contribute to their communities and prepare them to be change makers and innovators that help bring about positive lasting impacts to Cumbria’s environment, our society and the economy.”

    Dan Barton, Cumbria County Council’s Assistant Director for Education and Skills, said:

    “We’re delighted to have partnered with colleagues from key local organisations as part of this exciting work which, in the long term, we hope will support the establishment of an ambitious and innovative curriculum for our young people. This will draw on the many possibilities in our county and will help to prepare our children to face the opportunities and challenges in our shared future.”

    Laura Goad, Director of CDEC, added:

    “We are pleased to be working with Cumbria County Council, CAfS and the UoC on this contract, pooling our collective expertise in education, place-based learning and zero carbon solutions to produce a report that will help inform the curriculum offered to all our young people and build future job opportunities in Cumbria.”

  • Volunteer role: Community Climate Champion

    Volunteer role: Community Climate Champion

    Closing date: 9am on Wednesday 6 July 2022.

    Are you looking for an unpaid opportunity that will help you to increase your confidence, empower you to change things for the better, and where you can – empower others, all while helping to tackle climate change? CAfS is recruiting 20 community climate champions across Cumbria to help us deliver the second year of a programme to boost knowledge about climate science and solutions and inspire people to take action in their own lives.

    Champions will run interactive sessions for their local communities, ranging from short ‘climate crash course’ sessions to conversation cafes or reading groups, or just giving a talk or running a discussion with a small group. 

    By raising awareness and understanding about climate change, you’ll empower people to act and play their full part in bringing about a zero-carbon Cumbria. 

    You’ll receive training to deliver these sessions in your community, including a 1 day comprehensive, accredited Carbon Literacy training course. Plus you’ll have the full support of our Community Climate Champions Coordinator. We also hope to arrange a one day Zero Carbon Britain training (Centre for Alternative Technology) as an optional extra for those who wish to attend. 

    This is a fantastic opportunity for you to develop new skills, as well as bringing benefits to your community and playing a really important part in tackling climate change. 

    The role description below has full details about the project and the role. 

    This opportunity is open to people over the age of 18 only. If you’re under 18, please do keep an eye on our website and social media, as there’ll be opportunities for youth volunteers at a later date. 

    We wish to support diversification of the voices in the Cumbrian climate movement and particularly welcome applications from individuals on a low income, individuals in areas without an existing sustainability group or from anyone who feels that their voice, or the voice of their community is under-represented. 

    Application Process

    Please apply by completing the expression of interest form below. Please do not send a CV. Guidance for submitting your application is included in the form.

    Expression of Interest Form

    Closing date for return of applications is 9am on 6 July 2022.

    Role specification

    If you prefer to download the role and person specification, please use the link below:

    Community Climate Champion – Role Specification

    THE ORGANISATION:  Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), Rural Eden Foyer, Old London Road, Penrith, CA11 8ET.  

    LOCATION: Home-based and in the community  

    REPORTS TO: Community Climate Champions Coordinator 

    MINIMUM TIME COMMITMENT:  Roughly 4-5 hours/month August onwards, following 10 hours of induction and training in July/August. Starting from August, ideally you would run at least one session every 2 months. This could be an hour or 90-minute session or a quick climate conversation café session or a reading group or giving a talk to a small local group.  

    BENEFITS:  This is an unpaid role, with benefits including: 

    • A free full-day accredited Carbon Literacy training session (worth £139 – see training dates listed later in document). We also hope to arrange a one day Zero Carbon Britain training (Centre for Alternative Technology) as an optional extra for those who wish to attend. 
    • Increased skills and abilities in delivering climate science and solutions training and/or conversations. 
    • Improved confidence and empowerment through opportunities to be mentored during the process. 
    • The chance to be part of a structured and supported network of people who can learn from each other.  
    • Social opportunities, including forums, a buddying system, group and one-to-one chances to get the tailored support you need to enjoy and make a difference in this role.   
    • The opportunity to have costs met to enable you to deliver the training, for example venue costs, Microsoft Office subscription, Zoom Pro accounts or a webcam. 
    • The opportunity to build skills and experience that could support a future application to be a paid freelance carbon literacy trainer. 

    DURATION:  Your induction would take place in July. Your sessions would be delivered from August to December 2022, but being able to sustain your commitment by delivering ongoing events or talks beyond this time will be valuable. 

    APPLICATIONS BY: 9am on Wednesday 6th July 2022. Please apply using the application form. Please note that champions will be selected based on their application only; no interviews will be held for this role. We encourage applications from those who wish to build knowledge or confidence, as well as from those who are experienced. 

    CAfS ROLE AND PURPOSE  

    Our vision is a zero carbon Cumbria, and we strive to bring about a better way of life, in balance with our environment. Our mission is to empower and enable people, communities and businesses to live and work more sustainably by sharing our knowledge, practice, skills, networks and practical experience. 

    ABOUT CAfS 

    Our vision is a zero carbon Cumbria which is socially, environmentally, and economically beneficial for all.  

    Our mission is to promote and facilitate low carbon living and its benefits – inspiring and supporting individuals, communities and organisations across Cumbria and beyond to take action to decarbonise lives, communities and businesses by 2037 or sooner. We do this through events, advice, training and practical projects across the county as well as providing specialist consultancy services. We share our knowledge, skills and practical experience as widely as possible.   

    CAfS is an award-winning charity with a team of 28 highly skilled staff, working with a pool of specialist contractors and volunteers to deliver around 20 major, transformational low-carbon projects each year. Now in our 24th year, CAfS is the first point of reference in the county for information on sustainability and low-carbon living. 

    ABOUT ZCCP 

    The Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership is working towards making Cumbria the first net zero carbon county in the UK, by 2037.  

    It’s an ambitious and inspiring challenge that will touch on many aspects of life in Cumbria to bring down the county’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. One part of this work is an exciting five-year programme of community activity to help people reduce their carbon footprint, particularly from food, waste and the goods we buy. It’s all been made possible thanks to a £2.5 million grant from the National Lottery Climate Action Fund. 

    The partnership brings together 80 organisations spanning the public, private and third sectors, with the aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions – the root cause of the climate crisis.  

    Community Climate Champions can play a key role in generating the necessary changes and actions needed within their communities to enable Cumbria to reach its 2037 net zero ambition. 

    About this project 

    Following a successful climate champions project in 2021 CAfS are recruiting and training a further cohort of community climate champions to run a widespread programme of events on climate science and solutions across Cumbria, supported by a training coordinator. This exciting project is possible thanks to funding from the Emergence Foundation and The National Lottery Climate Action Fund. 

    We are aiming to reach communities who may not have the support of a sustainability network, who are concerned about climate change but not sure what to do about it. 

    We are hoping that alongside the original network of climate champions the additional 20 champions, between them, will also train or run events for hundreds of people over the life of the project, so that they will develop a sense of agency through having a much better understanding of the causes of, and solutions to, the climate crisis. This will ultimately benefit the environment by action taken to reduce emissions and tackle climate change. 

    All champions will receive free Carbon Literacy training and in depth support. A training package has been developed and the network of volunteers will be supported in a variety of ways to deliver events, talks or reading groups to those they wish to influence, including businesses, groups and other organisations, even to friends and family.  

     

    Main purpose of role 

    To work with the CAfS Community Climate Champions Coordinator as part of a team of volunteer community champions to run a widespread programme of events, training and facilitated discussions on climate science and solutions across Cumbria.  

    Champions will identify groups within their own communities to work with, as trusted messengers, and as such will be able to support a step change in the understanding of and attitudes towards climate change solutions across Cumbria. We wish to diversify the voices in Cumbria’s sustainability movement and particularly wish to reach under-represented groups in areas without an active sustainability group, and particularly welcome applications from those on a low income. 

    Key areas of responsibility 

    • To keep own knowledge of climate change and emission reduction measures up to date.  
    • To prepare for talks and events by becoming familiar with resources and attending any train-the-trainer training provided by CAfS.  
    • To run events, training or facilitated conversations with own chosen audiences and to engage the participants effectively (online as well as face-to-face given COVID considerations) 
    • To use the training provided by CAfS to shape these sessions 
    • To gather data, both quantitative and qualitative, to enable monitoring and evaluation of the project by the coordinator.  
    • To evaluate the sessions you deliver and to share your learning with the team of champions. 
    • To share your learning and resources with other champions. 

    Main tasks  

    • Identify groups and organisations that would like to take part in climate science and solutions training. We want champions to be able to deliver this training (or hold conversations that share the key messages from the training) to groups across Cumbria throughout 2022 and beyond.   
    • Work with other community champions and the Community Climate Champions Coordinator to share resources to deliver training.  
    • Deliver training sessions and conversations in the community to groups and organisations.  
    • Provide peer support, and share lessons learned with the pool of champions. 
    • Help to evaluate sessions for impact.  

    Skills, abilities and attitudes required 

    • A basic understanding of climate science and ways to reduce carbon emissions. A free full day’s accredited Carbon Literacy training session will be offered to build on existing knowledge.  
    • Confidence, or a desire to build confidence, in public speaking, running events or training. 
    • Good communication and interpersonal skills, including dealing with difficult situations and conflicting views.  
    • A non-judgemental attitude and an understanding that there are a range of views around action on climate change.  
    • Willingness to deliver training sessions and conversations using online platforms if needed. Support will be given.  
    • Willingness to engage with CAfS training on science and solutions, and also on how to engage with different audiences.  

    Timescales and time input 

    Your induction would take place in July.  

    Starting from August, we would like you to run at least one session every 2 months until at least December 2022. This could be an hour or 90-minute session or a quick climate conversation café session or a reading group or giving a talk.  

    Whilst the core period of delivery for your sessions will be August to December 2022, being able to sustain further sessions beyond this time will be valuable. 

    Successful applicants will hear back from us by Thursday 7th July at 5pm. 

    There are two dates when appointed champions could attend the full day accredited course (comprised of two morning sessions or two afternoon sessions):  

    • Tuesday 19 + 26 July 9.15 AM -1.15 AM  

    OR 

    • Wednesday 20 + 27th 1.15-5.15 PM 

    NB – If you are unable to attend on these dates there will be another opportunity in August. 

    CAfS contact 

    Clare Taylor is the Community Climate Champions Coordinator and will induct, train, support and guide the champions. Please email [email protected] with any questions and please do submit the expression of interest form by the deadline. 

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