Emmaus Bolton volunteers are giving away over a hundred draught excluders this winter to help people tackle rising energy costs – and created a handy step-by-step video of how to make them.
Charity Emmaus Bolton provides a home for up to 22 people with experience of homelessness, support and meaningful work within several different social enterprises.
Over the last few weeks, half a dozen kind-hearted Emmaus Bolton volunteers have been beavering away at a recycling centre in the heart of the charity’s shops off Fletcher Street, to produce 30 draught excluders each day they meet.
Tony Stephenson, Director of Emmaus Bolton, said: “We were seeing increasing evidence of people struggling during the cost of living crisis within the local community. There’s already been a huge demand for the food bank here, and sadly energy poverty is also on the rise to due to the increase in costs.
“By helping vulnerable people draught-proof their homes, in partnership with other charities, Emmaus Bolton volunteers wanted to use their time and skills to give something back.”
Recycling fabric from the charity’s Scrap Store
The draught excluders are made from end-of-line rolls of fabric from the charity’s Scrap Store that have been generously donated for sale by local businesses. Material is then machine stitched by volunteers and stuffed with clean scrap fabric and donated clothing that has not been possible to sell.
Emmaus Bolton volunteer Sarah said: “It’s something really easy that we can do. We’ve got enough skills between us. It uses lots of donations, keeps stuff out of landfill. As a finished item, the draught excluders are really good for helping people insulate their homes, keep the bills down, and are a great example of how upcycling can care for the environment, as well as for each other.”
How much could be made in savings
According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing homes has been shown to reduce energy bills by £75, which includes insulating windows and doors. Other experts say fitting draught excluders can save up to a third on heating bills.
To distribute the energy-saving measures, Emmaus Bolton has teamed up with charity Urban Outreach, which is giving the draught excluders away to members of social supermarket, Storehouse Pantry.
For information about becoming a member of the Storehouse Pantry, please visit: www.urbanoutreach.co.uk/
For volunteer roles and opportunities at Emmaus Bolton, please visit Volunteer on our website.