Winter Warmth

Thousands of homes throughout the Middlesbrough area will be much warmer during the winter months, as well as having reduced fuel bills, thanks to this scheme, which was completed in May 2007.

Those who lived in privately owned or rented property, residing in the target areas for the project were visited and assessed to see if they would benef from improvements such as cavity-wall and loft insulation, draught-proofing, improved central heating and fire safety checks, as well as being given advice on energy-use.

There was no charge for installation measures to those in receipt of qualifying benefits, which were funded from a range of energy efficiency grants including the government's Warm Front Programme. Funding was also available to elderly people who did not automatically qualify for a grant.

 The areas which were targeted in this scheme were:
Hemlington, Beckfields, Thorntree, Brambles Farm, North Ormesby, Berwick Hills, Pallister, Park End, Beechwood, Easterside & Grove Hill.

Middlesbrough Environment City also employed an Officer to reach out to the BME community and show how they could benefit from the Winter Warmth scheme.

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If you live in privately owned or rented accomodation in Middlesbrough and are over 60 you may be able to access cavity wall and loft insulation for free. There is no check needed on your household income. For more information contact Tees and Durham Energy Advice (TADEA) on 0800 5196012.

Middlesbrough is currently developing an affordable warmth strategy to address issues of fuel poverty. Middlesbrough Council is leading on the project, working with partners in the private, public and voluntary sector, with MEC chairing the Steering Group. Contact MEC for more information.

 MEC’s Natural Play project was a two year project funded by the Big Lottery Fund, and employed a Natural Play Officer to encourage children to explore and play within the green spaces of Middlesbrough. The aim of the project was to help children develop an awareness of their natural world and improve their health and Quality of Life.

Natural Play worked in partnership with play projects, schools and children’s centres to support and encourage inclusive and accessible play for children from different backgrounds and with different individual needs.The project also aims to encourage parents, child carers and volunteers to become involved in Natural Play, and access free and accredited training to enable them to continue to facilitate and deliver Natural Play in the future.

By April 2007, MEC’s Natural Play Officer, Elizabeth James, had made excellent progress with the Natural Play project, promoting training for play workers and other carers. Accredited training was provided to around 55 carers, parents and volunteers, against a target of 50 for the project as a whole. Over the two years of the project, over 2,000 children participated in the scheme.

 Middlesbrough Environment City provided work placements, accredited training and job search facilities for young jobseekers who are taking part in the Government's New Deal scheme from 2001 to 2007.

Environmental Awareness:

This option aimed at people interested in working in administration, information technology or more specialised areas such as graphic design and marketing. Participants were usually based at Middlesbrough Environment City and worked on projects aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues. Participants went on to work in marketing, television,  administration, information technology and customer service.

Cycle Task Force:

Participants carried out various cycle maintenance activities, helped with running Middlesbrough Cycle Centre and participated in guided cycle rides and other activities to promote cycling.

 This exciting partnership project brought together many of Middlesbrough’s environmental organisations to provide a programme of activities for asylum seekers and refugees in the town, allowing them to participate actively in the community and improve the local environment.  Activities included valuable conservation work on ponds and woodlands, creating new footpaths to enable people to enjoy natural places and litter picking. 

The culmination of the project was the creation of a mosaic sculpture depicting the cultures of those involved, working with local artist Andy McKeown.  Partner organisations involved in the project included Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, Groundwork South Tees, The Tees Forest, Middlesbrough Council Countryside Team and Wildspace! Project and The Friends of Linthorpe Cemetery.

Middlesbrough Environment City is the trading name of Middlesbrough Environment City Trust Ltd.
Registered Charity No. 1070131. Company limited by Guarantee Registration No. 3386853.