A pilot scheme to help vulnerable people struggling due to high energy bills has rescued hundreds of households from debts and the cold.
The Warm Homes Network scheme has brought together help provided by utility companies, charities, councils and tech companies.
The schemes identify vulnerable people and direct them to advice and support to help them safely reduce energy use and access cash to cover bills.
Pilot schemes launched in Birmingham and Cumbria – two areas with the highest rates of fuel poverty in the UK – have saved households an average of £8,950 each so far.
And projected benefits are set to reach more than £1m by the end of this month.
One success story involves a 47-year-old resident of Carlisle, identified as Martin, who found himself in a challenging financial situation.
Living alone, he realised he needed assistance to regain control over his bills and he was referred to the Warm Homes Network by his local council.
Martin said: “I’m in severe debt to my gas and electric providers, I got to the point where I had to decide whether to buy some food or use some energy.
“On the days where I’d have no gas, I’d end up just staying in bed all day to keep warm and I wouldn’t be able to cook as the electric would be off.
“The support from the Warm Homes Network has pushed me to get better at controlling my finances and made me make informed changes for the future, so I don’t get back into that position.”
There are currently 6.5 million people still living in fuel poverty in unsafe and uncomfortable environments. The need to offer help has become more urgent in light of the news from the Government that it will be closing the Household Support Fund, which assists people struggling with cost-of-living pressures.
The Warm Homes Network was launched by Cadent, the UKs largest gas distribution network. It is calling for other organisations and partnerships to throw their weight behind the scheme.
The company has projected that by securing an additional £5 million in funding, the scheme would be able to support an additional 5,746 vulnerable households across the country – saving them £4,525 each, or a total of £26 million.
Mark Belmega, Social Purpose and Sustainability Director, at Cadent said: “With 10 per cent of all excess winter deaths – around 6,300 per year – attributable to fuel poverty, an initiative like Warm Homes Network is vital for vulnerable households with little choice but to live in cold, damp and, quite frankly, dangerous homes.
“Confusion around accessing funds, unclear landlord and social housing obligations, low awareness of energy efficiency measures and customers requiring support from multiple organisations at once, means that thousands of families continue to struggle navigating the cost of living crisis.
“However, our initial pilots have highlighted the real impact Warm Homes Network can have in helping those living in fuel poverty.
“Not only does the scheme provide valuable financial relief, both pilots have also shown the potential to yield significant social benefits and improve overall well-being, including increased financial skills, alleviating mental health issues, increased quality of life, relief from debt burden and preventing respiratory health problems.”
The groups supporting the scheme include National Grid, National Energy Action (NEA), Groundwork UK, YES Energy Solutions, Penny Smart, Citizen Advice, Cold to Cosy Homes (CAfS), Cadent Foundation, United Utilities and Birmingham City Council and Cumberland Council. The initial pilots were also supported by Google Cloud and Egnida.
NEA said: “We’ve found this collaborative approach very efficient establishing a network of partners with the aim of offering a holistic approach to the customers’ situation. This ensures that the customer is getting help at the right time and is supported through a seamless process.”
Alex Wilkes, of YES Energy Solutions, said: “We focus on energy needs, helping householders to access funding to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, while delivering advice to build skills and knowledge to reduce their energy use and overall costs.
“At the same time, other organisations in the network are helping householders to maximise their income, consolidate debts and checking they are receiving the correct financial support.”
*To find out more about Warm Homes Network visit https://cadentgas.com/help-
