Green week – settle’s commitment to sustainability

This week (12 – 16 June) settle are celebrating The Great Big Green Week – the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Their purpose is to help people who are struggling to find a place to live, and to help residents stay in their homes comfortably so they can live the lives they choose.

Creating sustainable and energy efficient homes, neighbourhoods and a sustainable business is fundamental to delivering their purpose.

As part of this they’ve published their Sustainability Plan 2023-2025 which shares their vision of how they will include sustainability in all aspects of their work, such as in their existing homes, new homes, offices and operations.

The recent grant from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) will help settle to decarbonise and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The housing association plans to use the grant and their match funding to retrofit over 670 homes over the next two years. Their ongoing planned investment programme will also improve the energy efficiency of homes that aren’t included in the SHDF programme, by insulating homes and doing things like replacing doors and windows.

Throughout Green week settle will be carrying out a number of events and actions to mark the week and show their commitment to working more sustainably and protecting the environment. Some of these include:

• Neighbourhood action days in Royston which will include opportunities for flower planting and replacing fencing, as well as talking to residents.

• Publishing a webinar for residents with an update on their sustainability plans.

• Welcoming some students from Year 10 at the Priory School in Hitchin to their offices to hear about ways they are working to be more sustainable in the development of new homes.

• Inviting residents to a pilot upcycling workshop on the Westmill estate in Hitchin.

• Organising events for colleagues, including a lunchtime session on how they’re continuing to embed sustainability across the business, setting up their own gardening club and a second-hand swap shop.

Throughout the week settle will be updating their website from some of these events!