Dorset Open Greener Homes
1-9 Oct 2022
Dorset Open Greener Homes - a campaigning group supported by Dorset CAN - are once again organising an event in October to showcase ways of living more sustainably.
They are looking for people who are willing to invite visitors to their homes*, to talk about ways we can lower our carbon footprint.
* ’Homes’ includes gardens, allotments, churches, schools, village halls – venues where you have taken steps to save energy).
They're also looking for coordinators in some areas, for example around Blandford, Wimborne, and East Dorset. The local coordinator will join the team and organise the hosting in their area.
Would you be willing to take part?
It will involve your home being open to visitors for a day (or perhaps two half days) around the 1-2 October or 8-9 October 2022.
The group has run these events in Dorset for nine years, and feedback from the visitors to the homes has been really enthusiastic – unbiased advice, inspiration, sharing experience, technical discussions, building networks. Many visitors have gone on to make changes to their homes and ways of life.
To get a better idea, visit their website for examples of homes opened in 2021.
See the Press Release for this event
They are looking for people who are willing to invite visitors to their homes*, to talk about ways we can lower our carbon footprint.
* ’Homes’ includes gardens, allotments, churches, schools, village halls – venues where you have taken steps to save energy).
They're also looking for coordinators in some areas, for example around Blandford, Wimborne, and East Dorset. The local coordinator will join the team and organise the hosting in their area.
Would you be willing to take part?
It will involve your home being open to visitors for a day (or perhaps two half days) around the 1-2 October or 8-9 October 2022.
The group has run these events in Dorset for nine years, and feedback from the visitors to the homes has been really enthusiastic – unbiased advice, inspiration, sharing experience, technical discussions, building networks. Many visitors have gone on to make changes to their homes and ways of life.
To get a better idea, visit their website for examples of homes opened in 2021.
See the Press Release for this event
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Your Home
Some of the homes that are opened to visitors are showing quite technical solutions (heat pumps and ventilation systems, for example) and their owners have invested a lot of money. But many of the most inspiring have simple low-cost solutions, repurposing materials, cutting down waste, growing vegetables or ditching the car. Visitors also want to see solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, electric cars and bikes, or heat storage systems in action. What they suggest is that you try to inspire visitors, share your experience, and give unbiased advice. Your home does not have to be perfect! Last year was the first time the scheme was run across all of Dorset, and 50 homes opened last September. The group relies on local teams with their coordinators to research the venues and give support. Your local coordinator will be your first point of call – and Dorset Open Greener Homes will put you in touch if you don’t know them. |
Next Steps
If you think you might like to take part (and remember your house does not have to be perfect!) please think about how you would like to open: there are three formats for the visits:
The overwhelming feedback from hosts in the past has been positive, and many of them have been very happy to do it again year after year. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss opening your home or becoming a coordinator, please email: Sam Wilberforce or Colin Tracy |