About Energy Neighbours
Thanks to National Lottery players, Third Sector Leaders Kirklees has received more than £900,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, to empower local people to take individual and collective climate action and reduce fuel poverty in their community.
The Energy Neighbours project takes a community capacity-building approach, working with communities, residents and community organisations, listening to local priorities, experimenting and learning together, being transparent and accountable and sharing decision-making power. We are working for positive change together as Energy Neighbours.
TSL Kirklees has partnered with Kirklees Climate Commission for Energy Neighbours. The project started in February 2025.
where is it happening?
Energy Neighbours is working in super-output areas of fuel poverty across Kirklees, the priority areas are:
- Batley & Heckmondwike
- South & West Dewsbury
- North Huddersfield
- South Huddersfield
However, we can work with some organisations out of these areas too.
How does it work?
Working with community organisations, the project aims to help them build capacity, reduce energy costs, and reinvest the money saved into their communities. We can help them to:
- Access resources and funding
- Build skills, networks, and confidence
- Understand and reduce energy use
- Plan and take action
In addition we’ll be listening to local voices and working in partnership communities to co-produce a plan that both sustainable and meaningful to them. We’ll use community activities, to shape decisions, priorities and outcomes together.
Meet the team
Each priority area will have its own Community Worker, supported by a staff team in the Energy Neighbours office in Dewsbury. So far the team are:
- Clare Black – Energy Neighbours Manager
- Rabia Maheen – Project Coordinator
- Steve Burgess – Data Officer
- Katie Bailey – Community Worker – North Huddersfield
- Evie Whittingham – Community Worker – South Huddersfield
- Habiban Zaman – Community Worker – Batley & Heckmondwike
- Iain Solanki-Willats – Community Worker – South & West Dewsbury
get involved
If you would like to get in touch with your local Energy Neighbours Community Worker, would like more information about the project, or would like to get involved, you can:
More Information
resources
- Download an Energy Neighbours Project Leaflet
- Download the Energy Neighbours Vision, Mission and Aims
- Download the Energy Neighbours On A Page Overview
useful links
- Kirklees Climate Commission
- Community Energy England – the voice of the community energy centre
Energy Neighbours News
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Save the date! Energy Neighbours Annual Conference 2026 – 4th November 2026
Energy Neighbours is a community-led capacity building project, with a focus on energy working across Kirklees funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund. The Energy Neighbours Annual Conference will… Read more -
Is your organisation thinking about or already working on saving energy?
Energy Neighbours is starting a new network for Community Organisations Making Energy Transitions or COMET for short. By community organisation we mean any community group, charity, Social enterprise, faith or… Read more -
Energy Neighbours Recruiting Volunteers to Support Communities Across Kirklees!!
Energy Neighbours is currently looking for volunteers who want to make a positive difference in their community. By volunteering with the project, you can help support people across Kirklees to… Read more -
Energy Neighbours is recruiting in Huddersfield! Could you become one of our Community Workers?
Community Worker job in Huddersfield. Closing date Sunday 9th November! Do you have experience working or volunteering in the voluntary sector? Are you interested in working with communities to find… Read more