CAfS

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  • New Zero Carbon Cumbria website goes live

    New Zero Carbon Cumbria website goes live

    A new hub for climate action in Cumbria opens its doors to the online world this week. The new Zero Carbon Cumbria website brings together all the great things happening across Cumbria to cut carbon emissions and help Cumbrians play their part in global action to stop the climate crisis.

    CAfS created the website on behalf of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership, so it’s exciting for us to see it go live and to celebrate all the climate action already under way, by people from all walks of life, from businesses to residents. The launch comes at a particularly topical time, with the UN climate summit, COP27, kicking off at the weekend.

    The website is for everyone who lives, works or studies in Cumbria. Visitors can learn more about climate change, what’s causing it, how it’s affecting us here in Cumbria and what’s being done about it. It’s also the place to keep up to date with local climate news and events, and to see some great examples of people who are taking action in their work and home lives.

    It’s also the website of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership, where visitors can learn more about what the partnership is aiming to do and who’s taking part.

    And it’s the online home of the Cumbria Sustainability Network, helping visitors to find their local community sustainability group.

    The website also brings together information about the citizens’ juries that have been held in Cumbria so far.

    So, why not stop in for a browse! You’ll find it at zerocarboncumbria.co.uk. The site will continue to evolve, but your early feedback would be very welcome, along with suggestions for other information you’d like to see there. Please get in touch – email [email protected].

  • 1000 people trained in carbon literacy milestone!

    1000 people trained in carbon literacy milestone!

    Over 1000 people have developed their understanding of the climate crisis thanks to our hugely successful carbon literacy training!

    Our carbon literacy courses began in September 2019 and we have held over 85 climate training courses since then: reaching individuals and organisations across the County. And thanks to a link with the Carbon Literacy Project around half of those have been accredited. This success has been recognised by the Carbon Literacy Project who featured CAfS in their 10th anniversary celebration of 10 stories for 10 years of Carbon Literacy. 

    Carbon literacy training is recognised as an important tool in our zero carbon ambitions for Cumbria, helping people and organisations to see the science behind the climate emergency and to recognise practical ways that they can reduce their own carbon footprint. Our courses range from the full days accredited course to bespoke shorter courses, all of which include use of a carbon footprint calculator.   We also work hard to ensure that they are available to everyone, offering a ‘pay what you can afford’ for some courses, and partnering with Going Green Together to offer half price courses to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.

    Anyone interested in signing up for our Carbon Literacy training – or finding out more – should email: [email protected]. 

  • Award shortlist for energy team

    Award shortlist for energy team

    Our energy team here at CAfS has been shortlisted for a prestigious award designed to shine a light on achievements in the community energy sector.

    The categories in the Community Energy Awards highlight the wider community energy sector, such as a community energy organisation of the year, the scaling up community energy award and the Local Authority collaboration award.  

    The CAfS energy team has been shortlisted in the ‘fuel poverty action’ category in recognition of our active engagement in addressing fuel poverty and energy efficiency.  This category rewards a community energy association that is actively engaged in addressing the issue of fuel poverty and/or energy efficiency in England. This means that our energy team has demonstrated that they have made a substantial contribution to reducing energy inefficiencies and fuel poverty. We join two other shortlisted finalists: Energise Sussex Coast and Exeter Community Energy. 

    Community Energy England has a membership of over 280 community energy organisations. It was founded in 2014 with the aim to act as a voice of the sector and help put people at the heart of the energy system. Being shortlisted is fantastic recognition for our energy team! 

    The awards ceremony takes place on the 10 Nov at City Hall in London. Watch this space for news…

    Find out more about our energy team, and the services we offer.

  • Contract: Installation of draughtproofing & other energy saving measures

    Contract: Installation of draughtproofing & other energy saving measures

    Quotations are invited from organisations and sole traders with the experience and qualifications to implement a draughtproofing service in districts of Cumbria on behalf of Cumbria Action for Sustainability. This work is part of our Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service, funded by the Energy Redress Scheme.

    You’ll install a range of draughtproofing measures, as specified by our energy assessors.

    You’ll be part of our network of installers across the county, helping Cumbrians to make their homes warmer and save money on their energy bills. Working with our installers and partners, CAfS has completed draughtproofing in over 300 homes, with high-quality professionally installed fitting.

    The Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service has the support of all local authorities in Cumbria as well as other organisations that support vulnerable people across the county.

    Full details & how to apply

    Please review the Invitation to Tender document, below, for full details about the work required and the application process. Recruitment is ongoing.

    Draught-proofing Invitation to Tender for installers

  • Small businesses invited to support climate action this Christmas

    Small businesses invited to support climate action this Christmas

    Are you an altruistic accountant or a compassionate crafter? Whatever line of business you’re in, there’s an easy way for you to help Cumbria Action for Sustainability this Christmas and make your company stand out at the same time.

    We are looking for businesses who care about the climate and want to have a powerful, positive impact through fundraising for us as part of your festive sales.

    There’s a range of ways to join our Gift for Good campaign – for example, by donating a percentage of sales of a specific product or service, or time limited to a particular day of the month. It’s all done through Work for Good, which is a sales fundraising platform that makes giving easy and stress free for businesses. You’d pledge support via our Work for Good page, allowing you to donate in a simple and sustainable way that works for you, allowing your business to keep control of the giving process and ensuring all the legal compliance is taken care of.

    “With 5.8 million small businesses in the UK, it’s a community that can have a hugely positive impact on our society,” said Caroline Turner from CAfS. “But, currently, only 2% of UK charities’ income comes from businesses, compared to 43% from individuals. Many consumers are looking for enlightened ways to spend their cash this Christmas, and sales fundraising is a fantastic way to help businesses stand out from the crowd.”

    Know any business owners who’d support climate action?

    If you’re not in business yourself but have friends or family who are, please do put them in touch with us if they’d be interested in promoting their climate values and helping us at the same time.

    Whatever their size, help us turn the work they do into good this Christmas. You can get in touch with us directly by email: [email protected]

    How does it work?

    Head over to CAfS’ Work for Good page and click the Fundraise for Us button. Here you’ll be asked to sign up and create an account.

    The next step is to create a pledge. You can choose the size and frequency of your donation, so whether it’s a percentage of the sales of a particular product or service or you want to time-limit your giving to a particular day of the month, Work for Good lets you remain completely in control of how and when you give.

    At this point, you will also be asked to sign a Commercial Participation Agreement. This is a legal requirement if you wish to fundraise for us through your sales. If done independently, this can be a lengthy and time-consuming process, but Work for Good creates this for you through their donations form, saving you valuable time and effort.

    Once this agreement is in place, publicise your giving at the point of sale (on your website) and share the fantastic work you are doing to support CAfS with your customers and clients; alongside the Work for Good logo.

    You too can be part of the amazing community of small businesses using their sales to make positive climate action happen here in Cumbria.

    Infographic from Work For Good giving, showing businesses what the steps are for supporting charities through the Work For Good platform.

  • Job: Youth Projects Coordinator

    Job: Youth Projects Coordinator

    Closing date: 9am on Wednesday 12 October 2022

    SALARY RANGE: £24,000 – £32,000 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, CA11 8ET, however, homeworking can be agreed. The role is also likely to involve extensive travel around Cumbria.

    HOURS: 22.5 – 30 hours a week with flexibility to be worked across 3 to 4 days . There may be opportunities for additional paid hours to assist with delivery of some of the youth related projects.

    DURATION: Initial fixed-term contract from October 2022 to 31 March 2024 with potential to extend subject to additional funding.

    Are you a dedicated and passionate communicator with experience of working with young people, schools or youth organisations? We’re seeking a new colleague to be our Youth Projects Coordinator and make sure that the next generation of Cumbrians are involved in our county’s response to climate change.

    You’ll develop and manage CAfS’ relationships with schools and other youth hubs with a goal of inspiring action on climate change centred around young people. As our representative to the education sector, you’ll design new opportunities for projects and funding.

    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].

    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:

    Youth Projects Coordinator – Job Description

    How to apply

    To apply, please download, fill in and return the application form. CVs will not be considered. Send your completed application form to: [email protected].

    Application Form

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

    The provisional dates for interviews are Tuesday 18th October  or Wednesday 19th October  2022. There is however flexibility if either of these dates are not suitable. The interviews will be held on Zoom and candidates will be notified by 5pm on Thursday 13th October if they have been selected for interview.

    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 >

  • Job: Marketing Officer

    Job: Marketing Officer

    RECRUITMENT FOR THIS ROLE IS NOW CLOSED

    SALARY RANGE: £21,000 – £27,000 , 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 a week, with flexibility to be worked across 4 or 5 days, and option for compressed hours. 

    DURATION: Start from 1 October 2022. Fixed-term contract to 31 March 2024 (with potential extension subject to funding).

     

    We’re looking for an experienced marketing officer who is highly motivated to help achieve a zero carbon Cumbria, as part of our tight-knit marketing team of four employees. More than 50% of this role will be focused on ‘traditional’ marketing, with the remainder on digital marketing. 

    You’ll be responsible for producing and distributing a broad range of communications materials in support of our marketing action plans, ranging from photos and videos to posters and corporate documents.  Producing content for the CAfS website, creating and maintaining webpages  and undertaking digital marketing tasks alongside our digital marketing officer. You’ll be part of coordinating CAfS’ proactive and reactive media relations. 

    This is a fantastic opportunity to join a thriving and flexible organisation that plays a crucial role in helping Cumbria do its bit to tackle the climate crisis.  

     

    Working for CAfS

    CAfS is Cumbria’s climate change organisation.  

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

    CAfS’ growth over the last two years has been phenomenal – we have doubled in size in response to the ever-increasing demand for action on climate change. We are currently running around 30 projects, the majority of which involve external marketing and communications work. A key strand of our work is supporting the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership, which involves 80+ organisations and aims to inspire significant momentum towards net zero carbon throughout Cumbria. 

    As an employee of  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. 

    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].

    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: Marketing Officer Sep 2022

    How to apply

    Apply with a completed application cover form and your cv (to include details of your education, qualifications, training, roles, responsibilities and referees).

    Marketing Officer – Covering Form

    Please apply as soon as possible.

    Interviews will be arranged for suitable candidates on an ongoing basis.

    Recruitment will be closed when a candidate has been appointed. 

    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 >

  • 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

    Closing date: 9am on Monday 26 September 2022

    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).

    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].

    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:

    Marketing Manager – Job Description

    How to apply

    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.

    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 >