Climate Action Hub Exeter is to take on the delivery of Exeter Community Energy’s healthy homes, retrofit and debt advice projects from a new community energy advice centre it is opening in Queen Street, opposite RAMM.
The new advice centre, which is to be called “Pulse”, is expected to open in the former premises of estate agents Whitton & Laing by the end of October.
It will offer drop-in advice sessions and a range of talks and workshops.
Exeter Community Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned renewable energy company that has delivered a range of energy-saving projects including solar installations at Exeter Library, Glasshouse Lane Medical Centre and Shillingford Organics.
It also offers energy and money-saving advice services, including its Healthy Homes for Wellbeing Project, which it is transferring to local charity Climate Action Hub Exeter.
Wales and West Utilities is funding the project. Two Exeter Community Energy directors are expected to become trustees of Climate Action Hub Exeter.
The former Whitton & Laing premises in Queen Street
Climate Action Hub Exeter ran an information and resource centre from a Bedford Street retail unit in Princesshay shopping centre from November 2022 to August 2023, when it was forced to vacate the premises.
It hosted events and provided a meeting space and drop-in advice service while highlighting climate and ecological issues as part of a network of climate emergency centres across the UK.
The new advice centre in Queen Street will host many of the same activities including climate cafes, repair cafes, film screenings and events run by members of Exeter Community Alliance, an umbrella organisation of almost 100 local groups.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer or a trained energy adviser at the new centre is invited to contact Chris Wood on chris@climateactionhubexeter.net.
CORRECTION
This story was updated on 23 September 2024 to clarify that Climate Action Hub Exeter will be responsible for the delivery of Exeter Community Energy’s healthy homes, retrofit and debt advice projects once they have been transferred to the charity, and that the opening of the new advice centre is now expected at the end of October, one month later than originally stated.
