Hi all

Here is the press release for the first week of Community Alive Falmouth’s Surviving and Thriving in 2012. I hope it gives a flavour of what is happening in Library Foyer please visit us this Friday 10th for Food Issues

cheers, Lorely

Friday 3rd Feb saw the first ‘drop-in’ for Surviving and Thriving’ in the Falmouth Library Foyer. Dedicated to energy and fuel issues this week, Amy Walker from Community Energy Plus (a local charity offering energy advice) was available holding an Energy Surgery.

Amy offered advice to local residents on:

• How to save money on fuel bills;
• Where to obtain emergency heating funding – Cornwall Council has Winter Wellness Emergency Fund up to £500, funding available to the end of March
• Practical advice on keeping warm this winter
• How best to go about insulating and topping up the loft as cheaply as possible – local DIY stores have special deals on loft insulation at the moment, so a very good time to get the loft ladder out.

There was much talk about how many clothes needed to keep warm and the best temperature for comfort and budget. A boat dweller advised several layers and keeping active.

Amy explained her role as

“Households are having a tough time budgeting for bills. I’m here to help people find a balance between keeping warm and well and managing heating costs. Hopefully we can find ways for everyone to make savings.”

Members of Fal Energy Partnership (FEP) also discussed the best methods for keeping local residents informed on cutting energy use. A FEP Energy Welcome Pack is being produced to hold local information and practical advice, also with a ‘where to find’ with details of independent advisers, DIY advice, recommendations for obtaining materials locally and
the businesses to carry out the work. Caroline Robinson from the FEP asks for any ideas, help and recommendations for this new guide, by Monday 20th February.

As part of Falmouth Food and Drink week, the theme for the exhibition stands next week (in the Library Foyer) is dedicated to making cheap and tasty food. On Friday 10th February between 2 – 5pm there will be inspiration and advice on good food from local specialists. There will also be the first ‘seed swap’ of the year, so please come and bring your surplus
seeds and plants.

Surviving and Thriving in 2012:

A programme of events and exhibitions to assist a healthy, wealthy and wise 2012. With information and inspiration about issues on poverty, wealth and fairness for our local community.