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Caritas Diocese of Salford is a registered charity supporting people across Greater Manchester and Lancashire who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, disadvantage and discrimination, to transform their lives with dignity.
Project aims
After noticing a growing number of people turning to the charity for help with managing their energy bills, the team applied for funding to deliver an energy advice service aimed at supporting those affected by rising energy costs and fuel poverty.
They helped residents to reduce their energy consumption by introducing practical energy-saving measures and lower the cost of their bills by ensuring they were on the most appropriate tariffs and receiving the support available to them.
By easing the financial pressure caused by high energy costs, they worked to improve people’s health and wellbeing, recognising how closely fuel poverty is linked to stress, anxiety, and poor living conditions.
In-depth energy advice was offered to resident’s already engaged with the charity’s wider work, including:
- those at risk of homelessness who attend their day centres
- individuals using their community food pantry
- families receiving help from their social workers and counsellors
- adult refugees involved in their education programmes
- people with other accessibility needs taking part in their clubs and support sessions
Alongside this direct support, the project aimed to raise awareness and understanding of energy use through educational events. Designed to provide residents with the knowledge and confidence to manage their energy more effectively.
Through this project, the team has supported people and families to better manage their energy use and reduce the devastating effects of fuel poverty in their daily lives.
Energy advisor at Caritas Diocese of Salford community day centre.
Project deliverables
At the beginning of the project, the team worked exclusively within Caritas Diocese of Salford services (Lalley centre, Cornerstone centre, Red Door), to support residents with their energy bills. Providing advice through a combination of telephone calls, face to face sessions and events. Home visits were also offered for vulnerable residents.
To expand the scope of the project, they then partnered with local food banks, community groups and support services within greater Manchester to reach a wider audience. This approach enabled the team to provide more households with support, and increased awareness of existing Caritas Diocese of Salford services.
They also worked with interpreters to deliver energy advice and support to hard-to-reach communities whose accessibility needs may exclude them from other advice services. Holding drop-in sessions for Arabic and Farsi speaking communities, as well as people who use British Sign Language (BSL).
Energy Champions delivered awareness events within Caritas Diocese of Salford services. To engage residents with these events the team utilised a variety of different methods including quizzes and activities. During events they discovered that people wanted information beyond the light touch nature initially provided. As a result, they delivered more in-depth energy workshops focusing on areas such as mould and damp or energy benefits.
The distribution of energy vouchers and energy saving items was a further part of the project. By partnering with the Torus Foundation, they were able to provide residents on prepay meters with energy vouchers to ensure they did not come off supply. This reduced the risk posed by people self-disconnecting.
Alongside advice, they also provided households with energy saving items such as LED lightbulbs and draught excluders, to help reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
Caritas Diocese of Salford energy advice service provided residents with energy saving items such as LED lightbulbs.
Project impact
The project has supported residents to reduce their energy bills and improve their wellbeing. Regular drop-in sessions have also given residents a space to have their concerns and queries about their energy usage answered.
Throughout the project, the team has delivered:
- 2,028 in-person sessions
- 510 telephone calls
- 396 energy saving items distributed to households
- 97 home visits
- 91 workshops and events with 1,240 attendees
The energy advice service has had a positive impact on residents’ financial stability by supporting individuals to apply to energy trust funds and by challenging inaccurate debt balances, resulting in total debt savings of £39,196.
After engaging with the service, 98% of service users reported an improved understanding of their energy bills. With 89% of users reporting reduced worries about their energy bills.
Following the project, Caritas Diocese of Salford have created energy advice hubs at two of their centres. Their energy advice service has now become a key part of the support offered to the community.
I really appreciate all the help you've given me. It’s a huge relief to know that some of the debt has been wiped out, and I’m so grateful for the changes you made in my home. It’s made a real difference, and I feel like I’m finally getting some control back over my situation. Thank you so much for everything.
Energy advice service user