At Valley House, we recognise the importance of being environmentally friendly and protecting our environment for future generations. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our comprehensive plan to become a more environmentally sustainable organisation, focusing on environmental sustainability. Our plan outlines a series of initiatives across three key areas:

Supporting Service Users: We’ll empower our service users to make eco-conscious choices by providing educational materials on topics like reducing food waste, recycling effectively, and making informed food purchases, promoting environmental sustainability at an individual level.

Our Places: We’ll create a culture of environmental awareness within our facilities and green spaces. This includes incorporating sustainable activities into our service user programmes, fostering biodiversity in our gardens, and exploring the use of renewable energy sources like solar power to make Valley House more environmentally friendly, thereby increasing the environmental sustainability of our properties.

Our Properties: We’ll prioritise sustainable practices in our buildings and day-to-day operations. We’ll embrace a “circular economy” approach, repairing and reusing furniture and appliances whenever possible, and ensuring responsible disposal of unusable items. Additionally, we’ll be making the switch to energy-efficient LED lighting and exploring ways to reduce our paper usage, further enhancing the environmental sustainability of our operations.

Here are some specific actions we’re taking to achieve these goals:

Reviewing Service User Materials: We’ll be updating leaflets and casework sessions to include information on saving energy, recycling, and reducing food waste, all contributing to environmental sustainability. Engaging Service Users: We’ll incorporate environment-focused activities into our service user programmes, encouraging teachable moments and fostering a culture of sustainability through action. Promoting Biodiversity: We’ll focus on ongoing maintenance of our communal gardens and explore ways to enhance biodiversity within these spaces, a key element of environmental sustainability. Embracing Efficiency: We’ll be leading the switch from traditional fluorescent lights to energy-efficient LEDs in both office and service user properties, with a focus on implementing auto-shut-off features where possible, improving our environmental sustainability performance. Prioritising Repair: We’ll prioritise the repair and reuse of furniture, appliances, and flooring over purchasing new items. Responsible disposal practices for unusable items will also be ensured, minimising waste and supporting environmental sustainability. Exploring Renewables: We’ll be investigating the viability of solar power as an alternative energy source for our buildings, a significant step towards greater environmental sustainability. Data-Driven Decisions: We’ll track key metrics such as waste management, paper usage, and energy consumption to measure the impact of our initiatives and inform future plans, ensuring we are making progress on our environmental sustainability goals. Building Networks: We’ll be identifying internal champions for environmental sustainability at both operational and Board levels, and developing connections with like-minded organisations for knowledge sharing and collaboration, working together to advance environmental sustainability.

This plan represents a significant step forward on Valley House’s journey towards a more sustainable future. We’re committed to continuous improvement and believe that by working together, we can create a positive impact on our environment and the communities we support, furthering environmental sustainability for all.

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