As Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Sustainability Advisor I focus on helping community buildings make confident, future‑proof decisions about their energy use

 

Communities feel more confident when they understand their buildings and the choices in front of them. By having clear, independent advice, trustees can question assumptions, weigh options properly and invest in improvements that genuinely work for their space, budget and long‑term future.

I work alongside community building volunteers across Cambridgeshire, providing tailored energy audit reports that translate technical information into practical, usable insight. My role is about giving people the evidence they need to make informed decisions — not telling them what to do, but supporting them to choose solutions that fit their building and ambitions for sustainability.

This work matters because village halls and community centres are often run by volunteers under increasing pressure from rising energy costs, ageing buildings and the need to reduce carbon emissions. By strengthening decision‑making at a local level, Cambridgeshire ACRE helps safeguard essential community spaces while supporting wider goals around decarbonisation and long‑term resilience in rural areas.

A moment that mattered to me

“After completing an energy audit, a trustee told me they felt confident challenging a contractor’s recommendation. They asked better questions, explored alternatives and ended up with a more suitable solution. It showed how access to clear information can empower volunteers, not just save energy.”