Dorset CAN coordinates the Greener Open Homes events across Dorset to showcase ideas for greener living. For two weekends annually there’s an opportunity to visit homes - plus gardens, allotments, churches, schools, village halls - venues where steps have been taken to save energy and avoid using fossil fuels as well as to promote biodiversity.

The focus is on low cost solutions to cut energy use, reduce waste and save money, as well as looking after nature in your garden. Alongside that are opportunities to view low carbon technologies like solar panels, heat pumps and electric cars.

“We really want people in different kinds of homes to join in – including rented and those run by housing associations as well as privately owned. You may have some great ideas for insulating your home, or saving energy in other ways which add up to a decent cost saving at this time of high fuel bills” said Sam Wilberforce, one of the organisers.

“Maybe you’ve got a wildlife garden full of insects, a sustainable vegetable garden or creative ways of saving water – we’re looking for ideas that other people can use in their own homes to benefit our environment as well as saving money, which many of these ideas will do”.

The event has been running in West Dorset for 9 years and 2023 will be the third year it will reach out across Dorset.

Although the big event opening all these homes takes place around October, but if you can’t wait until then, we may be able to arrange a bespoke visit to a particular home - write to dorsetgreenerhomes@gmail.com. Details of the homes are on https://dorset.greenopenhomes.net/

Email us if you’re interested in joining in this year.