Could your community building provide a base for a TSL Kirklees Energy Neighbours Community Worker? Expression of interest deadline extended!
**DEADLINE FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 30TH MAY 2025**
Introduction
The TSL Kirklees Energy Neighbours is a National Lottery funded project, supporting community organisations to work together, involving local residents, to act on fuel poverty and other challenges and opportunities related to energy.
Energy Neighbours takes a community development approach – starting from the strengths and priorities of local people and organisations, building connections and making plans together.
The team will focus resources on four ‘priority areas’. Each has a community worker.
| Priority Area | Community Worker |
| Batley & Heckmondwike | Habiban Zaman |
| South & West Dewsbury | Vacancy |
| North Huddersfield | David Ennis |
| South Huddersfield | Evie Whittingham |
These are areas with high levels of fuel poverty.
All staff are employed by TSL Kirklees and work to support the development of the third sector. Community Workers are the key Energy Neighbours contact person for local residents and organisations. They are supported by a management team based in Dewsbury.
TSL Kirklees are inviting expressions of interest from community organisations who can ‘host’ an Energy Neighbours Community Worker. This document explains what is involved in hosting and how to apply.
Purpose of having a community base for Community Workers
- To provide a space for desk-based work and storing materials and equipment
- To help Community Workers reach and connect with local people and organisations
- To build stronger connections with community organisations and Energy Neighbours
Community Workers are not expected to be in the host organisation most of the time – just part of one or two days a week. They will be expected to work across the priority area.
Requirements
This is what we are looking for in a host organisation:
- A building managed by a community organisation
- A safe space with insurance, Health & Safety policy, safeguarding processes and emergency procedures in place
- accessible building with some public transport links
- A building that is used by more than one community group or organisation
- A desk in a suitable space for calls, emails etc. Access to broadband. (Desk need not be exclusive use – could be a hot desk requiring booking. If you need a desk we can provide one)
- Space available 1-2 days a week by negotiation
- Space available for 12 months, ideally as soon as possible
- A named contact person for the Community Worker to talk to about building use and engaging the community
Selection criteria
- Expresses Meets the requirements
- Has strong community connections and relationships in a ‘priority area’
- Building is used by community groups reaching local people of different ages/backgrounds and space is welcoming to all.
- Community Worker can access the space on different days and times
- Desk space is a good place to work
- Meeting room available (we can pay for our use)
- Enthusiasm and commitment to Energy Neighbours aims
- Experience of successful partnership working
- Organisation is willing to provide the space for £120 a month contribution.
Process
- Publicise hosting opportunity widely
- Simple expression of interest form
- Select organisations for conversation/visit
- Who makes the decision? The Energy Neighbours Manager will decide, in consultation with other team members
- The final details are negotiated and a simple agreement signed by TSL and host organisation.
- Organisation sends invoice to TSL Kirklees quarterly, in advance.
The closing date for applications is Friday 30th May 2025. Please fill in the form below if you’re interested in hosting a community worker.