North Tipperary Hospice
Non-profit Organisation
North Tipperary Hospice movement is a community based, non-profit organisation which promotes and supports the development of hospice and palliative care in North Tipperary. The organisation supplies specialised equipment and psychological and social support for patients and their families at end stage of life and funds two cancer support centres. 100% of the funding to maintain these vital services, comes from donations and not from any governmental bodies or other stakeholders.
The doors and windows of their building in Nenagh needed to be upgraded. The Chairperson of the Board was aware of the grants available from SEAI and asked board member Kay O’Donoghue to look into it. ‘I got in touch with Tipperary Energy Agency and the rest they say is history,’ said Kay.
Energy Efficient Upgrades
Tipperary Energy Agency, supported by Leader, carried out an energy audit and recommended several different energy efficient upgrades that could be done to the building.
An application was made to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Better Energy Communities (BEC) scheme to fund 50% of the work. The funding was granted and work on the project could officially start.
Several works were carried out including wall insulation, attic insulation, external door replacement, LED lighting, factory insulated hot water cylinder, heating controls and mechanical heat recovery ventilation. The new measures resulted in savings of 6,255kWh per year or €640 per year.
‘The staff are delighted, the heat is consistent in every room in the house, where before the kitchen and living rooms were warm but the rest were chilly. The windows have also made a huge difference. The staff say the air feels fresher too,’ says Kay when speaking about the difference the upgrades have made to the building.
Kay also said, ‘The North Tipperary Hospice is a totally voluntary organisation, where every penny spent on cancer sufferers comes from fundraising. This job would not have been possible but for the grant we received. The work is excellent’.
If you’re part of a community group and would like to learn more about how we can help you, get in touch here.