Welcome to our February Newsletter

In this issue:
Retrofit reimagined- join us for a month long series of talks and webinars
The DCE Community Fund is OPEN! Nominate your favourite community projects
Meet our new team members
We need trustees, can you help?
Best wishes from DCE Directors: Derek, Emily, Ali, Henry, Rose and Tim. 

Retrofit Reimagined

We’re excited to share Retrofit Reimagined: Dorset A month-long series of free webinars & in-person events exploring how upgrading our homes can create warmer, healthier spaces while strengthening communities and cutting carbon.What we’ll explore:
🏡 Warmer, Healthier Homes – Simple changes to make homes more comfortable & energy-efficient
🤝 Stronger Communities – How retrofit can build community resilience & local jobs
🌱 A Shared Vision – What if Dorset had its own community-led Retrofit One-Stop Shop?📅 See the full event series & register here
These events are hosted by Wessex Community Assets & Dorset Community Energy and funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero & the South West Net Zero Hub.                    

The Community Fund is open

The DCE community fund supports projects that aim to reduce carbon emissions, reduce fuel poverty, address environmental resilience or reduce biodiversity loss in the Dorset and BCP area with grants up to £2000. 
Carbon reduction does not just relate to energy projects; it might also include local food, sustainable transport or waste reduction or indeed any activity that reduces carbon emissions.
Share your favourite projects with us or ask them to apply directly.
Read more and apply

New Team Members

This month Dorset Community Energy welcomed two new team members- John Scott has been appointed Technical Director and Jamie Oakey joins us as Development Manager. Welcome John and Jamie!
Meet the Team &  Meet the Directors

Everyone at DCE would like to extend a huge thank you to outgoing Technical Director Geoff Joy, and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement!

Community Fund Trustees

Are you community minded? Do you have time to meet twice a year to discuss Dorset and BCP based projects? We are looking for volunteer trustees to help us distribute the community fund which this year stands at £12500. Email lucy@dorsetcommunityenergy.org.uk for more information.

Special Newsletter- Join our team!

Screenshot 2024 10 28 164834

Since 2013 Dorset Community Energy has delivered 32 solar PV installations at no or low cost to community and public buildings in Dorset. 
In 2023/24 these installations produced 1,528MWh of energy, and saved our hosts £274,000.  We also manage a Community Fund whose purpose is to fight climate change, increase generation of renewable energy and benefit the local community.  

Dorset Community Energy is managed by six volunteer non-executive directors and employs three part-time paid staff

As we grow, we are looking to add to the team and make sure we’re really connecting with our members and the community.
This newsletter is a special shout out to ask if you or someone you know would fit the bill!

We are looking for a Technical Director, Communications Specialists and volunteer Community Fund Trustees .
If you’d like to know more, click below or get in touch via our secretary on lucy@dorsetcommunityenergy.org.uk


Technical Director: Click here for more details and to apply

Communications Specialists: Click here for more details and to apply

Community Fund Charity Trustee: Click here for more details and to apply

Dorset Community Energy September Newsletter

Welcome to our September Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Initial results from our retrofit survey
  • AGM – Save the date – 15 October – Via Zoom
  • The community fund is changing!
  • Would your child’s school benefit from a visit?
  • Visit Dorset Greener Homes this weekend

Best wishes from DCE Directors: Derek, Emily, Ali, Henry, Rose and Tim. 


Thank you to everyone who took part in our retrofit survey

Its been really helpful in guiding the next steps for the project- if you’d like to read more a short report is available here
Congratulations to Phyllida Culpin, winner of the £100 voucher.


2024 AGM – Tuesday 15th October – Via Zoom

This year’s AGM will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 15 October at 7pm.  The necessary papers, registration and joining links will be sent to members electronically in advance of the meeting.  Please do save the date and come along. 


The Community Fund is changing

The community fund is now open year-round to support projects that aim to reduce carbon emissions and / or address fuel poverty in the Dorset and BCP area with grants up to £1500.  
Read more and apply


DCE Directors out and about!

Directors Rose and Ali have been out visiting schools in Somerset and Dorset. Combining practical workshops with classroom learning, our solar and wind energy kits are showing future generations how sustainable, low carbon energy can be achieved and why it works.
If you know of a school that would benefit from a visit from Rose and Ali, please get in touch with a name and we’ll take it from there.


Are you free this weekend?

Dorset Climate Action Network’s ‘Greener Homes’ event is underway this weekend 21/22 September with over 100 homes to visit.
Find out more here: Dorset Greener Homes Overview | DCAN (dorsetcan.org)

Retrofit Survey- summary of initial results

Untitled Design (2)

Dorset Community Energy and Wessex Community Assets are designing a new home retrofit service, the Dorset Retrofit One Stop Shop, to help householders overcome key barriers to making their homes more energy efficient. In August 155 households completed the survey and this will help us develop a service that supports people’s efforts to retrofit their homes. You can read a summary of these initial responses here: