An important new service to bring energy advice and support to local people is being launched this month by Gloucester-based sustainability charity Severn Wye Energy Agency. Designed to reach those ‘slipping through the net’ of conventional fuel poverty support, the service will reach out to help ‘at risk’ communities and groups in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and Powys. The support will focus on rural communities, refugees and asylum seekers, houseboat communities and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
The two-year project is funded by Wales & West Utilities and Cadent as part of the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) funding programme.
Rachele Verdini from Wales & West Utilities said:
‘Fuel poverty and other vulnerabilities can often be hidden in communities who can’t easily access help and advice. Yet if anything they face even more challenges to keeping warm and healthy in their homes. We’re delighted to be supporting this ambitious scheme which promises to bring much-needed help to people who might otherwise be overlooked.’
Kate Ravenscroft from Cadent said:
‘Fluctuating fuel prices don’t just affect those connected to mains gas and electricity. People using alternative forms of fuel may be more at risk of fuel poverty and safety hazards because they are harder to reach with established sources of help. By supporting this important scheme we hope to change that.’
Severn Wye will be working with front-line organisations across the region to identify and reach out to target communities, and their community-based experts will provide support and advice through face-to-face home visits, events and drop-ins, and classroom-style awareness sessions.
Help available to eligible clients through the scheme will include debt support through energy suppliers’ trust funds, resolving meter problems, carbon monoxide advice and installing alarms, liaising with suppliers and setting up repayment plans and support with Priority Service Registration.
Jacqui Harris, Severn Wye Communities Manager said:
‘For front-line staff and volunteers in the third and public sectors, it is often impossible to help people with fuel poverty and energy use, either because of the complexity of the energy issues, or a lack of time and resources. We’re looking forward to working with new and existing partners to identify at-risk communities and groups who will most benefit from support.’
Anyone wanting help with their energy use and bill payments should contact Severn Wye’s community-based energy advisers on 0800 170 1432 (0800 170 1600 in Wales) or email communityadvice@severnwye.org.uk
Front-line staff can find details of how to refer clients to us on the Partner enquiries page.
