Futureproof Cumbria

Blog

  • Project makes solar power simple for six Cumbrian communities

    Project makes solar power simple for six Cumbrian communities

    Six Cumbrian communities are banding together to install solar panels on the roofs of their towns. CAfS is working with groups in these areas to help them engage with solar installers.

    Good solar photovoltaic (PV) installers are in huge demand right now, as everyone is searching for ways to cut their soaring energy bills. As a result, they’re finding it difficult to respond to enquiries for smaller jobs, especially in rural Cumbria. Homeowners and small business owners are missing out on an opportunity to save money and tackle climate change.

    Working with dedicated community groups and town and parish councils in Ambleside, Kendal, Levens, Arnside, the Duddon Valley and Keswick, CAfS have found a solution to this problem.

    The process starts with a ground-breaking interactive map of the area, which models each rooftop in the community and estimates the amount of electricity that could be generated on it by solar PV. This map is then shared with the community to help people decide whether solar PV is right for them.

    To support their decision making, CAfS and the community team in Ambleside, have developed a set of Solar PV Frequently Asked Questions.

    The result is a group of interested parties, all in the same area, who have suitable roofs and are ready to go. This is a much more attractive proposition for installers.

    Molly Hogg, CAfS Low Carbon Communities Programme Manager, said: “We’re working with several PV installers on this programme, and they have all told us that this approach cuts out a lot of inefficiency and makes the small-scale solar PV market viable”.

    Two installers will be introduced to each new community and the individual property owners will be free to choose whichever they prefer – at this point is it no different from seeking quotes independently.

    The programme has been piloted in Ambleside, with two schemes already having been installed and several new orders in the pipeline.

    Judy Fry, the first homeowner in Ambleside to have her panels installed said: “We’ve been keen to install for five years, but we were completely afraid of putting our toe in the water. It was very reassuring to get our hands held and be pointed in the direction of good installers”.

    During the summer, the teams in Kendal, Levens, Arnside, the Duddon Valley and Keswick have been planning the roll out in their communities and are now keen to hear from any local residents or businesses who want to take part.

    Councillor Helen Chaffey said: “CAfS is all about enabling people to address both the climate emergency and the cost-of-living crisis in their own homes through the Solar Made Easy programme.  Arnside Parish Council is therefore delighted to partner with CAfS to explore these possibilities.”

    Councillor Janet Battye said: “Here in Levens, there’s been a lot of activity for some time around climate change and biodiversity and increasing concern about energy use. More people are now getting interested in installing solar panels on their roofs, which CAfS’ Solar Made Easy scheme can help us with.”

    Drop in events are planned to coincide with this year’s Great Big Green week, running from 24th September to 2nd October.

    Please visit our Solar Made Easy page to find out details and how you can get involved.

    The free support from CAfS is funded by South Lakeland District Council and Electricity North West’s Powering our Communities Fund.

  • Our champions complete their training

    Our champions complete their training

    Fourteen people from across Cumbria are now trained as carbon literate climate champions. They’re getting ready to host events in their communities to highlight the crucial need for all of us to take urgent action on the climate emergency – and to show how we can do it.

    CAfS climate champions will have the flexibility to offer talks to interest groups of all sorts, including parish councils, U3A groups, Women’s Institutes and more.

    Champions can also pioneer their own events and promote them to whoever they want to engage. These could include workshops for schools, online events celebrating existing carbon reduction activities or challenges to get friends and family to reduce their carbon footprints.

    Anyone who joined the project not already connected to a local sustainability group is very much encouraged to start by building that link, to potentially support and learn from their local group and avoid any duplication. Champions are already planning events for Great Big Green Week, with Keswick, Levens and Whitehaven being a few of the locations that will see activity.

    Hugh Taylor, Janet Battye, Ian Lund and Joe Human have all joined the Climate Champions project this year. We asked them why it was that they chose to get involved.

    Hugh (Kendal) says:

    “I was keen to get involved in this for all the very obvious reasons – climate change is such a massive issue and we are sleepwalking into it.  I’m now semi-retired so have a bit more time to give to this important cause.  My career – which has included the Environment Agency, DEFRA, The Groundwork Trust and working with government departments on energy-related matters – has given me a real insight into some of the issues and the challenges that need to be overcome.  I’ve recently been implementing my own low carbon journey, installing a heat pump and other measures such as triple glazing, which is also something that has taught me a lot.  Having done the Carbon Literacy training with the cohort, I think we are all keen to get out there and spread the word.”

    Janet (Levens) says:

    “I applied to become a Climate Champion because I wanted to become more carbon literate to give me confidence and be better informed in my daily life and, especially, in my roles as a Parish Councillor and a Councillor on the new Westmorland and Furness Council. It builds on the work we’ve been doing here for the Greening Campaign and now the Great Big Green Week.”

    Ian (Sleetbeck) says:

    “I already seek to have a low impact lifestyle. So far I have done this by not using air travel, reducing personal transport use, economical home heating and growing my own fruit and veg for the last 15 years. Joining CAfS as a Climate Champion has helped me consider my carbon footprint and encouraged me to increase my rainwater harvesting to 1000l and think further about my lifestyle and diet. I now feel empowered to engage with my local community to share my low impact knowledge and climate change understanding gained from Carbon Literacy training provided by CAfS, and pass on my thoughts and experience to the wider world.”

    Finally, Joe (Keswick) says:

    “I have 25 years of professional experience in coaching and training in presentation skills with a particular interest in storytelling. My personal aim is to reach as many people as I can who have not yet taken on board the urgency, the immediacy, and the personal and the global implications of the climate crisis.”

    If you’ve got an idea for an event with a climate champion, or want to discuss ways to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact Clare Taylor, project coordinator on [email protected].

     

     

  • Job: Marketing Manager

    Job: Marketing Manager

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ center_content=”no” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Closing date: 9am on Monday 26 September 2022

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    SALARY RANGE: £30,000-£40,000, a year full-time equivalent. Starting salary dependent on skills and experience.

    LOCATION: Contractually based at our office, Eden Rural Foyer, Old London Road, Penrith, CA118 ET. However, homeworking can be agreed. 

    HOURS:  30 hrs– 37.5 hrs a week, with flexibility to be worked across 4 or 5 days, and option for compressed hours. 

    DURATION: Start as soon as possible. Fixed-term contract to 31 March 2024 (with potential extension subject to funding).

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Are you an experienced marketing & communications professional wanting to use your skills to help tackle climate change? Join Cumbria Action for Sustainability as our new marketing manager and you’ll play a crucial role in helping Cumbria reach its goal of net zero carbon emissions.

    You’ll lead communications for CAfS and for the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership of more than 80 organisations working towards the county’s net zero goal. Managing our communications team of three employees, you’ll develop creative marketing strategies to support our projects and our organisation, and oversee their successful implementation.

    Working for CAfS

    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 which is socially, environmentally, and economically beneficial for all. We aim to achieve this by promoting and facilitating low carbon living and its benefits – inspiring and supporting individuals, communities, and organisations across Cumbria and beyond to decarbonise lives and businesses by 2037 or sooner.

    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.  

    If you have any questions about the job or the application process, please do get in touch for an informal chat with us: [email protected].

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” animated_text_color=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Job description & person specification

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

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

    Marketing Manager – Job Description

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” animated_text_color=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    How to apply

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    To apply, please download and fill in the covering form below, and submit it along with your CV to: [email protected].

    Marketing Manager – Cover Form

    Closing date for return of applications is 9am on 26 September 2022

    Interviews will be held via Zoom on Monday 3 October 2022.  Please let us know when submitting your application if you are unable to make that date.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” animated_text_color=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Some great benefits of working at CAfS

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    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 >

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Pupils swap classroom for nature in sustainability week

    Pupils swap classroom for nature in sustainability week

    Our Youth Projects Coordinator Ceri recently supported a sustainability week at William Howard school in Brampton.

    During the week, the pupils took part in workshops and other activities designed to teach about sustainable practises. These included stands on recycling, responsible farming and zero waste shopping.

    A neighbouring primary school also visited with their students and activities were opened to the wider community after school had finished.

    Ceri ran a workshop on composting supported by Master Composters. This saw the children making biodegradable newspaper plant pots and writing sustainability pledges.

    She said: “It was a delight to be part of William Howard’s sustainability event.  The students were involved with their Open Spaces programme thanks to CDEC’s Green Place project and it was great to be among the local organisations coming together to share ideas and understanding within the students and their wider community. It was an inspiring occasion and it’s success means it looks set to be a fixture on William Howard school calendar!”

    Partner organisations like Sustainable Brampton and Brampton 2 Zero also led workshops.

    If you’d like to see a little more of what they got up to, Green PLACE produced this lovely video of the week’s activities. See if you can spot the CAfS logo!

  • Contract: Youth Climate Summit delivery

    Contract: Youth Climate Summit delivery

    On behalf of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership, CAfS has been awarded £2.5 million from the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund, for a five-year Zero Carbon Cumbria project. This includes a Youth Climate Action Programme, to support, empower and skill up young people in Cumbria to have their voices heard and to influence those in power to listen and act.

    The Youth Climate Action Programme includes a series of annual Youth Climate Summits with schools across Cumbria, bringing children, young people and teachers together. Youth Steering Committees will help set priorities for the summits including the topics covered and the format of each summit.

    As part of our overarching objective to help young people articulate their hopes and concerns for the environment and their own futures, we require a contractor to help organise and deliver the youth climate summits in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

    Full details & how to submit a tender response

    Please review the Invitation to Tender document, below, for full details about the requirement and the tender process.

    Download Invitation to Tender Document >>

    Please also see the frequently asked questions document below for more information:

    Youth Climate Summit tender – Q&A – Aug 2022

    To register your interest in the tender please email [email protected] making clear that you would like to “register your interest in the ZCC Youth Climate Summits tender”.

    Tender Responses should be submitted by email to: [email protected] by 12 noon on Tuesday 16th August 2022.  Please mark your email ‘Youth Climate Summits 2022-2025’.

    The deadline for clarification questions is 5pm on Tuesday 9th August 2022.

  • Receive your retrofit scope of works

    Receive your retrofit scope of works

    Clients of CAfS’ Home Retrofit Planner can now receive a full scope of works meeting and report as a follow up service. This step follows the energy assessment and report already carried out on several homes in Cumbria.

    Two clients have already had their scope of works online meetings and will receive their reports soon. They will then move on to the Design step and from there to the choice of suitable contractors and retrofit work on site. 

    If you already have a Home Retrofit Planner report from CAfS, there is now the option to continue to the next step in the CAfS retrofit advice service: 

    Scope of Works 

    The Scope of Works stage consists of the following: 

    1. An online meeting with a CAfS assessor to discuss the options from the Home Retrofit Planner report that you decide to take forward.
    2. A report based on the outcome of the online meeting which, when complete and confirmed forms the basis of future work.

    What’s in the report? 

    The report outlines: 

    • Preparatory work that may be required such as Structural advice, planning permission, building control, party wall arrangements, etc.
    • Building fabric options and some of the related things you may need to know, whether design work is recommended, key risks, interaction with other measures, etc. 
    • Building services options such as ventilation and heating systems or renewable technologies, and measures that you would consider in conjunction with these. 
    • Future plans, if you are not doing all the work in one go, or if there are things you might like to progress later.
      Other things you may need to consider. 

    Any questions / how to book or get a quote, please contact the CAfS team: 

    • Email to: [email protected] (with Scope of Works enquiry in the email subject header) 
    • Or call: 01768 216500
  • 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

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ center_content=”no” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Closing date: 9am on Wednesday 10 August 2022.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    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).

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    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].

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” animated_text_color=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Job description & person specification

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    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

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” animated_text_color=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    How to apply

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    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.

     

    [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” animated_text_color=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Some great benefits of working at CAfS

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    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 >

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • 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.