Home › Communities Area

Training for Community Groups

121 Home Energy Check Volunteer Training for community groups
 
  • Are you a local community group focused on reducing energy use and tackling climate change?
  • Would you like to help your community cut its carbon footprint and save money?
  • Not sure where to start?
Then this training could be for you.
 
What is 121 Home Energy Check Volunteer Training?
 
121 Home Energy Check (HEC) Volunteer Training is a 10 hour training course which provides community groups with the knowledge and skills they need to help households in their community cut their domestic energy use. Once training is complete, up to 10 trained volunteers are able to visit people in their homes to offer tailored advice on energy efficiency and domestic renewables.
 
Topics covered by the training include:
 
  • Insulation
  • Draught-proofing
  • Heating systems
  • Appliances and consumer electronics
  • Renewables.
  • Behavioural change
  • Local and national grant and other financial incentive schemes, including ECO.
The course also covers:
  • How to keep your knowledge of energy efficiency and renewables up-to-date
  • How best to offer advice
  • Health and safety considerations when carrying out 121 HECS
  • How to put together and advertise a 121 HEC Project your community.
All participants receive a comprehensive handout pack with all the documents needed to begin carrying out 121 HECs and a Certificate of Attendance.
 
How and when does the training take place?
 
There are two elements to the training:
 
  • Three two-hour classroom-based sessions which are interactive, informal but informative, and suitable for anyone with a desire to offer advice on energy efficiency and renewables. No prior experience is necessary and attendees are encouraged to learn from each other as well as the course leader.
  • This is followed by two practice 121 HEC visits in the homes of either two of the volunteers or of their friends or families. 
Training can be delivered at a time to suit those taking part, including evenings and weekends. We might deliver it over five weeks – one two-hour session per week, or we might deliver two sessions in one day on a weekend day. We will work with your group to find the best time for you to deliver it.
 
How many people can take part?
 
 The course is suitable for up to 10 volunteers.
 
What do people who’ve done the course think of it?
 
‘You gave us a very stimulating course and coped very well with the wide range of questions and issues that arose.’ Member of Transition Oundle, Northamptonshire. Read a case study from the Transition Oundle group here.
 
‘Caroline has a way as a trainer and community worker that puts people at ease, listens and makes every effort to accommodate, is well informed and always does what she says she will. We have appreciated her commitment and contribution to our endeavours.’ Member of Greening Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire
 
‘A very logical approach to assessing a home. Handouts and practice worked well. Great course, really enjoyed it!’ Member of Transition Belper, Derbyshire
 

'Well-timed and clearly presented.'

'Caroline's does a fantastic job in putting across the range of technologies and issues.'

'Nice relaxed atmosphere- picking up from contributions of participants.'

All of the above from members of Transition Buxton

 
Who provides the training?
 
Marches Energy Agency (MEA) has developed, and provides, this training. MEA is a registered charity and not-for-profit social enterprise working across the Midlands. We specialise in the delivery of practical, effective and creative ways of promoting energy reduction and renewable energy solutions. Over the past 13 years, we have won awards for our work including the prestigious Ashden Award and the West Midlands Social Enterprise Mark
 
Our mission is:
  • to address fuel poverty
  • to enhance local energy security and resilience
  • to help create low carbon citizens, communities, organisations and economies.
Website: www.mea.org.uk
Twitter: @MarchesEnergy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarchesEnergyAgency
 
What does MEA provide?
 
  • A qualified, experienced member of staff to provide all five sessions.
  • A comprehensive handout pack for each attendee.
  • Certificates of Attendance for everyone who completes the course (the course is non-accredited).
What would your group need to provide?
 
  • A suitable venue for the training to take place in (for instance a room in a village or
  • community hall).
  • Between 4 and 10 volunteers who would like to be trained and attend all the sessions.
  • Two homes (with willing householders!) for the practice 121 HECS.
How much does it cost?
 
The course currently costs £2000+VAT. This allows up to 10 people to attend.
 
Groups who have received the training in the past have received funding in a variety of ways, but typically from grants which MEA has assisted them to apply for. If you woould like advice on ways of finding funding to cover the cost of the course please get in touch with us.
 
If you would like to include a quote from us in an application to a funder please let us know by contacting Peter Burgess-Allen on 07908 436806
 
Where can I find out more?
 
If you would like to know more about 121 HEC Training, including advice on finding funding to cover the costs of the course, please contact:
 
Peter Burgess-Allen, Project Manager, MEA
07908 436806 /
 
You can also find out more by downloading the documents here.