Conversations with the Kashmiri Community on Energy & Climate Resilience

In December 2025, we were joined by colleagues from our Energy Advice team and delivered two energy‑focused sessions at the Kashmir Youth Project (KYP) in Rochdale. Asma and Ansar, who lead KYP’s women’s and men’s groups every week, co‑facilitated the sessions and translated the content so everyone could take part fully. Their support was invaluable and enabled the sessions to feel more welcoming and inclusive, with more than 50 attendees taking part across the two sessions.

The workshops included practical, everyday tips for saving energy at home – including using kettles, washing machines, and cookers more efficiently, and how smart meters can help us spot when our energy use is creeping up. One attendee said, “The useful tips to save energy and reduce bills were very effective”.

Often energy use is tied to our “social practices” – meaning the way we heat our homes, cook, wash and stay comfortable is all tied to habits and social norms, rather than independent choices (Shove, 2010). Sharing practical knowledge in a community setting can be powerful as learning together can help shape solutions which best suit a community’s particular circumstances and needs.

But the sessions weren’t all about appliances and bills. There were also thoughtful conversations about climate resilience and how people are experiencing the UK’s changing weather. A few people had lived locally during recent flooding and even though they weren’t directly affected, they remembered how the community pulled together to support one another. Six people from the men’s group signed up for Extra Care Register on the day, and 13 more requested a home visit or call from Groundwork’s Energy Advice team.

All in all, the sessions were a brilliant reminder of what resilience really means: sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and making sure everyone has access to the tools and information they need to stay warm, safe, and connected.

This project has been made possible thanks to funding from Electricity North West.