Home Energy Advice…another part of living out God’s command to care for creation and love our neighbour?

by Anna and Tom Sibbald, Aberfeldy Parish Church

I feel a real sense of pride - good pride, I hope - that my local church is seen to be relevant in our community through Warm Connections. It’s one logical way of being an Eco Congregation.

The Background Stuff

With our passion for God’s creation (both his people and his planet) as our driver, in 2021 we set up a small home energy advice project. Warm Connections is based in Highland Perthshire, part of Aberfeldy Parish Church and the broader work within our linkage and beyond. We provide people in our area with home energy advice, and support healthier, more affordable and greener living. The support we offer falls into 4 areas:

• No cost and low-cost solutions
• Support with bills
• Advice about funding for home improvements (insulation etc)
• Advice about renewables

We are very much a first step service and will help steer householders towards the local and regional teams who can access national funding, where necessary.

Just received a payment settling my energy debt which had built up because of illness. My heart is lighter.

The Exciting Stuff

What a delight it is to see the worry lines lift, a smile return when an energy debt is paid off through emergency funding, or a pre-payment meter topped up so the heating clicks back on. Such a privilege, but so is the slower walk with someone as they navigate the maze of options and possibilities available to improve the fabric of their home to make it greener, warmer and more affordable. Most of all, we encourage those small things which cost little or nothing; using less is always going to be a winner. Though our main motive is environmental, for others change may be driven by health or financial benefits, or simply a desire to be more comfortable; whatever the motive, helping folk to use less energy in the home and to keep the heat in the house for longer usually benefits all of the above.

Our focus is on reducing carbon emissions and on those vulnerable to fuel poverty. Supporting and caring for people in this way within our communities is another way that we as Christians can love our neighbour, and we are so thankful that our church community has got behind this amazing opportunity. It is a privilege to visit people at home, to encourage, guide and support householders through the many energy challenges which are out there. Finding ways to show that Christians genuinely care is not always easy, and it is a delight to offer this service with absolutely no cost.

Their gentle and participative approach has really motivated me to make more changes to my home, to save energy, be more eco-aware and be warmer in my house

Is it Working?

We think it is. We are delighted when a person suddenly discovers that someone does care and there is help, even for them. We have seen folk make vital steps towards net zero living through the big installs, but perhaps more important are the little savings we can all make through changed habits, and the low-cost adjustments that together add up. Love in this case has legs, arms, a face, a roll of radiator reflector foil and some low energy light bulbs!

“Warm Connections has been fantastic for so many reasons - building relationships, helping people in our community cut their bills and live out their desire to be greener, and enabling us to care for creation - one of the five marks of mission”. Rev Neil Glover, our minister

What About You?

Warm Connections might have worked without our church, but for us it’s so much more because it is part of the church, and anchored in community. With a climate crisis pressing us into action and so much challenge for householders across Scotland struggling with fuel poverty, this feels like urgent, needed and inspiring work. Work that churches everywhere could get stuck into. So, what did it take?

• A supportive church
• A desire to see Christians doing God’s will by encouraging others to care for His creation
• Interest in home energy (which began for us by making our own home more energy efficient)
• A love of people and a joy in sharing with them

It is a privilege and a joy to spend time in people’s homes and at events in the community. In the streets and shops we often see folk whom we have met through Warm Connections, and stop to chat; it feels normal and natural but is all part of Christian witness in our community. If you have read this and feel a nudge from God, we would be very happy to have a conversation, and explore your questions.

Anna and Tom Sibbald advice@warmconnections.net www.warmconnections.net