Former England international and TV presenter Jermaine Jenas has this week helped launch a new UK-wide initiative that helps community spaces become more energy efficient.
Jenas has teamed up with B&Q Energy Savers to showcase simple tips that people can also implement at home to save energy, while offering three community spaces the chance to receive help from the home improvement retailer.
To launch the initiative, Jenas and B&Q helped Welling United FC, whose clubhouse was in urgent need of some ‘ELC’ (Energy Loving Care), and is now calling on the nation to nominate their local community space to be in with a chance of receiving crucial energy-saving support from the B&Q Energy Savers team.
Jenas, 40, said: “I spent a lot of time as a kid at clubs like Welling United FC – they really are so integral to the community.
“From bonding over team activities, to engaging young children in sport, these spaces have both a social and wellbeing impact, which is why it’s so important to support them.
“The pressure community spaces are under with rising energy bills is huge.
“The B&Q Energy Savers initiative not only helps provide some reassurance for community spaces, but also offers advice on how people can reduce energy use in their own homes.”
The B&Q announcement follows an ‘urgent plea’ to the Prime Minister from a coalition of more than 200 sport’s governing bodies, health organisations and top athletes last week, asking for help with rising energy costs, to provide reassurance on the future grassroots spaces.
The situation for both community spaces and households has been further aggravated this week, with the news of reduced government support from 1st April, resulting in higher energy bills.
Owing to the current situation and as we continue to experience cold weather, B&Q has kickstarted its energy saving initiative by teaming up with Jenas to visit Southeast London football club, Welling United, to help them save energy.
The team installed several energy-saving measures and offered advice on how they can cut energy use, detailed in a new video.
Paul Whitehead, Chairman of Welling United FC, added; “We’re delighted to be involved with the B&Q Energy Savers initiative as its first project.
“As chairman, my goal is to ensure that Welling United is a hub for our community, bringing together people who love our sport.
“Lots of community spaces like ours are struggling with bills now, so we’re grateful to the B&Q Energy Savers initiative for showing us some quick and easy fixes that will help us to save energy, at the club and in our own homes!”
As part of today’s announcement, B&Q is calling on the nation to enter the community spaces in their local area in need of some energy-saving advice, to win valuable help from the B&Q Energy Savers team.
The B&Q Energy Savers initiative will roll out across the year, with the aim of helping dozens of community locations reduce energy costs and make other general improvements.
Chris Bargate, B&Q Director, says: “Both community spaces and households are feeling the pinch when it comes to rising energy bills, so now is an important time to get ahead of the price hikes and become more energy efficient.
“B&Q Energy Savers aims to bring to life some simple ways to reduce energy use at home, that aren’t expensive, while our colleagues help community spaces across the country.”
Visit B&Q’s Instagram to nominate your local community space in need of energy-saving help, terms and conditions apply.
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