Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation

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Poverty driver

• Reduce cost of living

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Keywords

• Fuel Poverty
• Energy Poverty
• Cost-of-Living Crisis
• Fuel insecurity
• Energy

Aim

To work with local people to identify and signpost them to relevant schemes to help keep Point and Sandwick homes warm this winter.

To deliver the Point and Sandwick Fuel Hardship Fund – a confidential, targeted hardship fund dedicated to helping vulnerable households manage their electricity and heating bills through the winter.

To assess the key drivers of fuel poverty in our area and make recommendations to local and national government.

Summary

Energy Support Unit (ESU) based in Point and Sandwick area is designed to support those in the community most vulnerable to the fuel hikes. ESU is designed and delivered confidentially by Muirneag Consulting and financed by income from Point and Sandwick Trust’s (PST) community wind farm. The scheme includes direct cash support in the form of payments to fuel accounts via the PST Fuel Hardship Fund, signposting householders to further support available and help navigating fuel payment systems. Householders, ranging from pensioners, single adults and families have been supported by the ESU to assess the impact rising fuel costs for heating and cooking needs has had on their bills.

What difference does it make?

This project has enabled people to power and heat their homes to higher levels that would have otherwise happened.

Prevented individuals from going into debt.

Reduced energy rationing.

Given people the confidence to switch on.

Improved mental health outcomes regarding energy stress.

Reached in-work people as well as those in receipt of benefits.

Key take-aways

• This project has highlighted the importance of face-to-face contact. When dealing with sensitive personal information such as bank statements, bank details, savings, and debt trust is very important, particularly with elderly clients who may have low levels of tech literacy.
• Close interaction with the board and regular meetings has been helpful in the development and delivery stages of the project. This makes tackling difficulties within the project more efficient as they can be resolved when they arise.
• The project has found that clients who are in the process of receiving credit from an energy supplier would be rejected if ESU paid them a grant. In turn, ESU let the energy suppliers come to a conclusion before intervening.

 

Organisations

Energy Support Unit (ESU), Point and Sandwick Trust and Muirneag Consulting Limited

Location

Isle of Lewis (the community of Point and Sandwick)

Contact