Lynne Featherstone MP REECHs Out To Local Communities

11.02.08am GMT Fri 26th Aug 2005

A SCHEME helping local communities boost household energy efficiency and save money on fuel bills has been backed by Hornsey & Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone.

REECH - Realising Energy Efficient Communities and Homes - is a partnership between energy efficiency charity National Energy Action (NEA) and British Gas. Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, is lending her support to the scheme which aims to help communities turn cold, damp unhealthy homes into warm, comfortable ones.

Lynne Featherstone MP said: "The REECH project is a unique and exciting initiative for the ethnic minority community in London and will be helping avoid further Excess Winter Deaths. I would urge local community workers in Hornsey and Wood Green to take up the training available to ensure that this coming winter there are less and less people living in cold and damp homes.

"I also want to take this opportunity to wish the REECH project the best for the forthcoming awards ceremony where they have been short-listed for two major awards."

REECH was created to overcome the language and cultural barriers that have traditionally prevented ethnic minority communities gaining access to energy efficiency information and grants. REECH provides community leaders with energy efficiency training, practical information, tips and advice as well as access to free energy efficiency measures that they can use to help their families, friends, neighbours and all households in their communities.

Mansoora Shah, NEA Project Officer, said: "REECH has proved popular with communities because it provides practical advice and information in a user-friendly format. So far 187 community representatives from around the country have been trained through the scheme, helping communities help themselves to warmer, healthier homes."

Hannah Finnis, British Gas Consumer Affairs Spokesperson, said: "REECH training equips community leaders with energy saving skills and information they can use to help the whole community.

"The fact that REECH has recently been shortlisted for two prestigious awards recognises the unique partnership between British Gas and NEA and our ongoing work to help communities achieve warm, healthy and affordably heated homes."

REECH helps communities by providing:

• Access to up to £375 worth of free household energy efficiency measures

• Savings of up to £178 a year on household fuel bills

• Help for all members of the community

• Access the British Gas Language Line facility for people whose first language isn't English.

Training events for community leaders are taking place in London over the coming months. Community groups interested in attending and registering with REECH can contact Mansoora Shah on 020 7833 9607.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

1. National Energy Action (NEA) is the leading fuel poverty charity campaigning for affordable warmth in the homes of vulnerable people. Fuel poverty is defined as needing to spend more than 10% of household income to maintain adequate levels of warmth for health and comfort.

2. REECH is a partnership between British Gas and NEA. The initiative was launched in 2002 in London, Bradford, Oldham and Rochdale generating interest from dozens of ethnic community groups including those representing Bengali, Chinese and Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistani, Turkish and West Indian communities. In March 2003 REECH expanded into Birmingham, Dudley, Halesowen, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich. In 2005 REECH will be launched in Cardiff and Greater Manchester. For more information on British Gas energy efficiency programmes, please visit www.house.co.uk/saveenergy

3. REECH has been shortlisted for a UK Charity Award 2005 and a Third Sector Excellence Award 2005. Winners will be announced in the Autumn.

For more information please contact Alice Steel, NEA Press Officer, on 0191 261 5677 or alice.steel@nea.org.uk