Press Release: Energy Advice Helpline
1 August 2023
PEBL and Citizens Advice Rushmoor will this week launch a new project to help tackle fuel poverty within some of our most in need communities across Rushmoor.
The project involves the creation of a new helpline providing local families and individuals with free advice to help them save money and energy. They will also be supported to access schemes such as the Warm Home Discount and the Priority Services Register, as well as benefit eligibility checks, debt advice, and other crisis support such as food, clothing, and housing.
This new helpline launches tomorrow, 2nd August, and will be operating on Wednesdays and Thursday between 10am-1:30pm until the end of December 2023. If residents are unable to access the telephone clinic during these hours, they can leave or voicemail or send an email to arrange a callback from one of Citizens Advice Rushmoor’s energy advisers.
In addition to the helpline, an experienced team of advisers at Citizens Advice Rushmoor will also be helping equip staff and volunteers within PEBL with the tools and confidence they need to help support members of their community. This will improve the accessibility of the service to ensure the most vulnerable can access it too, including those digitally excluded.
Calum Stewart, Citizens Advice Rushmoor’s Deputy Chief Officer, said: “Britain is facing its biggest cost of living crisis in decades, and, at Citizens Advice, we’ve seen more people coming to us for help with crisis support, energy problems, and not having enough money to make ends meet than ever before. For many, life is getting worse not better. Too many people are living on empty, simply unable to pay their bills and put food on the table.
“This funding from SGN will allow us – working in collaboration with PEBL – to reach even more households in need of urgent help as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.”
Clive Grattan, PEBL Chair also said: “We know how difficult this past year has been for vulnerable households to stay safe and warm. Having this grant from SGN Safe and Warm Fund will make all the difference to our residents in helping them alleviate fuel poverty and get practical support for those struggling with their energy supply. What with the cost-of-living increases and spiralling energy costs in particular, this couldn’t come at a better time. It’s great to be able to offer hope and positive solutions and will make all the difference to our community.”
The project is funded by SGN who have partnered with the Centre for Sustainable Energy to establish the Safe and Warm Community Scheme. The scheme is working with local charities like Citizens Advice Rushmoor who are helping those who are most affected by the cost-of-living crisis. SGN hope to reach over 5,000 customers who need help to maintain a safe and warm home with £500,000 worth of funding by the end of 2023.
If you live in Rushmoor, you can call the helpline on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 1:30pm. Alternatively, leave a voicemail or drop us an email:
0808 175 3559