Council marks Fuel Poverty Awareness Day with appeal for those needing help to get in touch

Telford & Wrekin Council is appealing to anyone struggling with fuel poverty to make use of a free, independent service that can help support people in the borough.

Published on: 27 November 2024
An older person warming their hands by their fire

Marking National Fuel Poverty Awareness Day on Wednesday 27 November, the Council is redoubling its efforts to reach and help residents facing financial difficulty.

On Wednesday, the Council along with local partners including Marches Energy Agency and Citizens Advice, is holding a seminar which aims to raise awareness among front-line staff and partner agencies about the Council’s ‘affordable warmth’ offer, including its independent support service – Telford Energy Advice.

The seminar will look to upskill service-delivery staff that have contact with households such as social workers and housing officers, encouraging customer-facing teams on the ground to look out for and share information with those residents who they feel may benefit or be eligible for financial support around affordable warmth.

The Council’s affordable warmth offer incorporates a number of schemes, including a ‘Warm and Well’ grant scheme and a Home Upgrade Grant, in addition to Telford Energy Advice which is a free and impartial energy advice service for the residents of Telford and Wrekin.

Telford Energy Advice helps households with any energy-related enquiries, however big or small, by phone or in-person. It offers general energy saving tips and advice to help householders identify where they could reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint, plus advises on tackling energy supplier issues or energy debts, provides free small energy saving measures, and connects households with grant funding for energy efficiency measures such as insulation and heating.

Cllr Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability, who is attending the seminar on 27 November, said:

“We know many of our residents continue to face financial hardship and we want to make sure that those most in need can access the support available to them.

“That’s why I’m pleased that we can raise awareness today of our affordable warmth offer among our teams and partner agencies who can amplify the message in our communities.

“I would also encourage members of the public to share this information and offer of support with any friends or family who they think might benefit, particularly those who are in receipt of benefits or on a low household income, although the service offers support for any resident struggling with fuel poverty."

Cllr Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing & Enforcement, said:

“Through our Telford Energy Advice support service, in the last two years, we have trained almost 300 frontline workers who have reached around 3,000 households in the community, delivering 1,448 telephone advice calls and 362 home visits. This work has enabled these residents to save a total of around £40,000 on their energy bills.

“Our new Warm and Well grant has already helped 22 households in the borough with new doors, windows and heating equipment.

“The Government’s threshold for grant assistance is a household income of up to £36k, but at Telford & Wrekin Council we’ve extended that threshold to £50k with our Warm and Well Telford offer, so that even more people can benefit.

“The key message is, if you’re struggling, get in touch – there is help available. We’ll continue to do all we can to support the most vulnerable in our communities as part of our commitment to protect, care and invest to create a better borough”

For more information about the Warm and Well grant or if you or someone you know has any other concerns or questions about home energy efficiency, please contact the friendly Telford Energy Advice team today on 0800 6771952 or email tea@mea.org.uk

You can also visit www.telford.gov.uk/AffordableWarmth for more information.

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This work supports Telford & Wrekin Council’s 20 Pledges in 20 Weeks campaign by protecting and helping the most vulnerable in our communities.