In her baseline survey prior to starting the Energy Champion programme, Di stated her aims:

"To insulate the home and ultimately save money on heating bills."

When asked about her journey from feeling "somewhat confident" to "a lot more confident" around energy efficiency measures in her home, Di found the Energy Trace very useful, saying:

"Since the Energy Trace, I’ve made several small but effective changes, like using sealant to fill gaps and putting bubble wrap around outlets where air movement was noticeable. Robert is even coming back to help me with the loft hatch. These small steps give me the confidence to do things right and share the tips with others."

In our follow-up survey, we asked Di what improvements she’d made:

If you’ve made improvements, what areas/problems in your home have you addressed? (Please tick all that apply). She selected:

Gaps / cracks

She said that the energy improvements she had made since the Energy Trace had made her home "slightly" warmer (this is a bit negative - maybe I should leave out or put in another section?).

Di appreciated the knowledge gained, including tips on optimising radiator placement and using draught excluders, which she applied at home. Furthermore, Di's knowledge of materials and DIY improvements increased through the workshop series:

"The workshops were full of surprises - like how effective secondary glazing can be. I’ve also applied the knowledge about draught excluders and radiators on internal walls. It’s amazing how little changes can add up. Look after your pennies, and the pounds look after themselves."

Overall, when asked to rate the workshop series, Di responded by saying she "really enjoyed" them. 

Di summarised her experience of the Energy Champion, stating that:

"I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the programme. It’s about working within communities that need support the most. You learn so much and gain a network of people to turn to for advice. If you have a foot in the door, you can widen your knowledge and make a real difference - not just in your own home, but in your community too."

She went on to discuss the volunteering opportunities she'd partaken in since attending our Energy Help Desk training session:

"Volunteering has been an amazing experience. At first, I wasn’t thinking about the bigger picture, but through the workshops, I realised how much I could contribute. I’ve now volunteered twice, at Greenway and SPARKS. It’s flexible, which works perfectly for me - I can volunteer when I have time. I’ve enjoyed talking to different members of the public and sharing my experiences with the Energy Trace and workshops. I’m looking forward to learning more so I can offer even better advice."