From free insulation to solar panels and renewable heat solutions, British Gas New Energy is helping households in some of the UK’s most vulnerable areas through our Community Energy Saving Program. 

As part of our on-going commitment to the community, a number of British Gas employees recently spent the day at the Walsall Housing Group to get involved in a number of projects. 

Over 160 New Energy employees believed they were in Walsall to listen to Managing Director, Jon Kimber, address their annual conference, but were instead invited to join him in helping with some community projects. Everyone got stuck in with tasks that included cultivating a vegetable patch, creating a community garden, refurbishing a local Samaritans and more.

Here is a full list of the projects that were undertaken:

Lilac Grove – the team created a community garden for the housing estate, complete with areas for residents to grow their own produce.
King Charles Primary School – the group brought the once forgotten vegetable garden back to life for children and family to grow food for the school.
Harden Road Youth Centre – redecorating the main entrance to make it more welcoming and visibly warmer. They also gave the play area a tidy up. 
Rough Hay Primary School – donning overalls, the team cleaned and painted the perimeter fence and outdoor furniture in bright and cheerful colours, making it a place children can enjoy. Bright come rain or shine.
Bentley West Primary School - the group reinstated an “outdoor wildlife classroom” giving the children and teachers a place to play, learn and enjoy the fresh air.
Walsall Samaritans – the team from British Gas brightened up the offices with a makeover.
Seventh Day Adventist Church – our team of keen would-be decorators were all too happy to give the community hall a bit of TLC
Wiley Avenue South – next door to a vibrant elderly community, our team gave the rockery and pathways a new lease of life.
St Anne’s’ Church – here the community hall and facilities were decorated, making it a more enjoyable place for community groups to meet. 

Jon Kimber, Managing Director British Gas New Energy, said: “Since 2010, we have worked closely with Walsall Housing Group, to improve the energy efficiency of 1,472 homes.  We thought by holding a one-day volunteering challenge it would be a great opportunity to do more for these communities that we know very well.  It was great to see over 160 of us out in force and we really saw the difference we made to the local community.”

Cliff Horrocks, Director of Asset Management at Walsall Housing Group, said: “A key part of our role is to create great homes and neighbourhoods, and this day gives a good boost to our ongoing work to achieve that aim.”

“It is a credit to our partnership that British Gas has selected the town as one of its community challenge day locations, and we are delighted so many customers will benefit. A number of the projects were selected by our customers, so we are confident that it will have a lasting benefit.”

Harden Road Youth Centre said: “Thank you all once again, the stickers are on the wall and the room looks fantastic and the garden is totally transformed! Please pass on out heartfelt thanks to Team British Gas.”