Volunteer Energy and Decarbonisation Training
The Square Mile Churches project is delivering professional technical training to 34 churches, advising them on how to save energy and reach Net Zero Carbon, in line with the Church of England’s target to achieve this by 2030.
As part of this programme, volunteers will be upskilled in delivering decarbonisation advice for heritage buildings. This will help build a broader skill base and expand the number of people confident in advising not only Square Mile churches but also other historic buildings.
The volunteer programme offers a structured experience that includes classroom-based training, on-site shadowing of energy and decarbonisation audits, and a supported project to prepare and write a report for one of the churches, with review and feedback. Up to 10 volunteers will be accepted, and the programme is ideal for those with an interest and passion for supporting historic buildings on the journey to net zero.
Classroom Based Training
Volunteers will be invited to spend two days undertaking training on various aspects of energy and decarbonisation advice specific to historic buildings. This will cover topics including:
1. Church Architecture and Terminology
2. How churches are used – service style and usage
3. Permissions, DAC’s, Faculties and Planning Permissions
4. Energy Usage and Benchmarking
5. Electricity Capacity and Upgrades
6. Energy Saving Measures
7. Heating System – Identifying existing systems and life expectancy
8. PV system and batteries
9. Temporary heating solutions
10. Preparing for an Energy Audit – Risk Assessments and Equipment
11. Heritage and Conservation – awareness of important features and risks
12. Myths and Legends – outlining the commonly heard misconceptions
13. Barriers and resistance
Audit Shadowing
Volunteers will be invited to shadow an experienced church energy and decarbonisation surveyor undertake two church energy audits. Volunteers can choose to book on to one day with two audits or two half days with a different auditor. Audit shadowing will be undertaken with one other volunteer.
Audit Reporting
Volunteers will be invited to a 3rd church and asked to undertake a parallel survey with an experienced auditor. The professional auditor will be undertaking their own audit, and the volunteer will be invited to survey the church themselves and then write up their findings based on an outline report format. This report will then be given to the auditor who will provide feedback and guidance as appropriate.
The volunteer programme can accept up to 10 volunteers and there are no fixed criteria for age or stage of career other than all volunteers must be over the age of 18 and able to independently travel to and from the City of London. It is anticipated that involvement in the programme will involve 2 classroom-based training days in a City Church and 2 days surveying churches plus up to 2 days in volunteers' own time preparing for and writing up the final report.
The programme is actively seeking interest from volunteers that may have one or more of the following attributes:
1. An interest and passion in supporting buildings to become Net Zero Carbon
2. An interest in historic buildings and their conservation
3. Basic knowledge of construction and surveying buildings
4. Basic knowledge and respect for the Church of England. The programme welcomes people of all backgrounds and faiths (or none at all) and is actively seeking to support those with backgrounds typically less represented in the field of sustainability and construction.
Accessibility
The programme seeks to support people with a wide range of mobility. Not all parts of a church may be fully accessible, but the auditors will ensure that the volunteers gain the best possible understanding of the church via photos or videos where possible.
Expenses
The Square Mile Churches project provides up to £20 per day to cover travel expenses, along with an additional £8 per day for food. A full expenses policy will be shared with each volunteer upon application.
How to apply
For more information or to find out information on how to apply, please contact Laurie Dighton at contact.squaremilechurches@london.anglican.org.
This role is purely voluntary and is not intended to create a legally binding contract or employment relationship.
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