13 December 2013
Little Sisters of the Poor residents are feeling warmer and have saved money as a result of an Energy Efficiency Service scheme to make their accommodation more energy efficient. Work carried out through the Community Buildings Programme has saved the charity more than £18,000 on its energy bills since 2012 and the savings are set to continue.
Since 2011, Little Sisters of the Poor have been receiving assistance as an applicant of the Community Buildings Programme, which is run by the Department of the Environment Energy Efficiency Service.
The scheme aims to help charities and not-for-profit organisations that provide services to vulnerable members of the community. By improving the energy efficiency of community properties, the aim is to help reduce overheads and to provide a more comfortable environment for their clients.
Community Buildings Programme saves money
Over the past three years the Community Buildings Programme has paid for a variety of energy efficiency measures such as installing loft, cavity wall, and floor insulation, as well as heating system improvements including three new highly efficient condensing boilers. Little Sisters of the Poor provides residential care facilities for elderly people with a low income.
The charity, which is funded both via donations and its residents, also provides a day centre every weekday. Built in the 1930s, the main building and four separate residential blocks together house approximately 70 people, most of whom are in their eighties or nineties and some who require nursing care.
Debt of gratitude
Care Manager of Little Sisters of the Poor, Sister Geraldine, said “The Little Sisters of the Poor owe a great debt of gratitude to the States of Jersey Energy Efficiency Service for all that they have done to reduce energy costs and to augment the comfort of the elderly residents in our home and in our apartment buildings over the past several years…it was a Godsend for us.”
The Minister for Planning and Environment, Deputy Rob Duhamel said: “We’re thrilled that the residents of Little Sisters of the Poor are feeling the benefits, and that such considerable energy savings have already been seen.”
20 other groups benefit
In addition to Little Sisters of the Poor, a further 20 local organisations have also benefitted from energy efficiency measures through the Community Buildings Programme. Another five organisations have been successfully accepted on to the programme, and are currently awaiting work.
The Energy Efficiency Service invites any charity or not-for-profit organisation that provides a service to vulnerable Islanders to apply for assistance by emailing them for more information and an application form.
Email the Energy Efficiency Service
gov.je