Voluntary and community organisations

Voluntary Action Westminster acts as the central hub of communications between all voluntary and community organisations operating in the City of Westminster. In 2008 VAW received funding to train three of its officers to act as energy advisors who could visit all voluntary and community properties and advise groups on how to minimise their energy consumption.

Queens Park United Reform Church Trust are a Westminster community group currently focusing on energy reduction. Reverend Timothy Poh aims to halve the Church's electricity bills by installing a system of 29 solar panels and 16 glass tubes which are heated by the sun to provide hot water for the church. The project, which cost £35,700, was funded by the government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme, EDF Green Energy Fund and through fundraising events held at the church. Queen's Park United Reform Church are now working closely with the Energy Savings Trust on developing a low carbon community project which will act as an example to other community groups in London.