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Citizens Advice Darlington, Redcar & Cleveland is a registered charity providing free, independent, and impartial advice to local people.
They secured £161,801.07 in Phase 2, Round 4 of the Energy Redress Scheme with their Energy Focus Local project.
Project aims
The project aimed to mitigate the effects of fuel poverty, impact positively on the health and wellbeing of households and give beneficiaries greater control over their lives.
In partnership with Citizens Advice Hartlepool, they planned to expand their team of specialist energy advisers to provide intensive advice and support to over 1,000 households in vulnerable situations throughout Darlington, Redcar, Cleveland and Hartlepool.
They also aimed to ensure that practitioners in the community gained an increased awareness of fuel poverty and its effects and the possible responses to these.
Project deliverables
During the project, the energy team delivered multi-channel advice to clients via face-to-face appointments, telephone calls, home visits and information leaflets.
They also provided energy advice at outreach events and services in the community, for example at food banks and the Community Grocery. This activity was achieved through the support of National Energy Action trained Volunteer Energy Link Workers.
Information sessions were delivered to frontline workers and volunteers to help them understand the energy issues households may face, and the support available to them.
Working together with organisations in the community has enabled the team to strengthen and develop new partnerships and reach a wider range of clients who might not otherwise have received support. It has also ensured a more holistic service for clients as individual referral pathways were identified.
The advice given was effective, yet simple to understand.
Energy service client
Project impact
The project delivered energy advice to 1,242 unique households, and training to over 200 frontline workers and volunteers.
Feedback from the service showed that clients felt empowered by the advice and support they received, 82% said they now feel more confident about managing energy use at home. Additionally, 79% expect their homes to be warmer in the future.
Throughout the project, the team delivered:
- 652 in-person advice sessions
- 405 telephone energy advice calls
199 home visits
As a result of the advice provided, the estimated annual energy bill savings for the project is £429,754.
We have (also) been able to reduce our usage to £120 per month which is more affordable. Thanks again for all your help.
Energy service client
Looking ahead
With additional funding from the Energy Redress Scheme, the team will build on the successful delivery of this project over the next two years so more households can affordably heat their homes.