Just Around the Corner (JAC) Ltd is an organisation working with disadvantaged young people at their activity centre and stables in Wokingham. They have just been awarded a grant of nearly £1000 from Reading Community Energy Society to buy energy efficient heaters for their classroom and pottery room.
JAC run therapeutic and Educational sessions for young people; they are referred as they have difficulties engaging in the school or social environment for a variety of reasons.
Sam Milligan, JAC Development Director states: “The building only has electric and in winter can be very cold – the oil filled radiators were not efficient and took a long time to heat up our larger rooms. We are so grateful for the support from Reading Community Energy Society – the building has been nice and warm in the winter months and this really helps the young people to enjoy and focus on their sessions and the staff are loving the warmth too.”
The JAC Centre – L-R RECS Directors John Malone, Tony Cowling, Mireille Haviland – Resources Manager – JAC, Samuel Milligan – Development Director – JAC
Reading Community Energy Society was created by local volunteers, known as the Berkshire Energy Pioneers, the local council and Energy4All who have over 15 years’ experience in the community green energy sector. RCES are helping local communities to deliver renewable energy projects and have now just completed the first phase of solar installations across the town.
Tony Hoskins, Chair of RCES explains that: “The Society ran a successful share offer in July 2016 raising funds of over £200,000 from local people and other individuals supportive of renewable energy to enable the installation of the solar energy systems.
Over the 20 year life of the project, all surplus funds raised through sale of the electricity generated will go back to the community as part of a community fund. RCES are delighted to be able to support JAC from the community fund and make a difference to disadvantaged young people.”
