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Whitley Bay Big Local is a community-led charity which brings people together to reduce loneliness, tackle financial disadvantage and take local action to address global environmental concerns.
Whitley Bay Big Local secured £48,805.78 in Phase 2 Round 6 of the Energy Redress Scheme with their Draught Includers 2 project.
Project aims:
Building on the successful delivery of their previously funded project and the continued need for support, the team at Whitley Bay Big Local aimed to provide advice and practical support to vulnerable local residents. Including the elderly, those living in economic hardship, and those recovering from addiction, to help them stay warm and save money on their energy bills.
Project deliverables:
Partnering with organisations in the community who delivered a warm hubs programme, or other community activities such as The Bread and Butter Thing, their outreach advisor engaged vulnerable households at events, offering energy saving advice.
Information ranged from understanding energy usage and bills, how to reduce day to day costs, and additional support schemes in the area, including the Safe and Healthy Homes service provided by North Tyneside Council.
The project also supplied energy saving packs, with radiator panels, light bulbs, draught excluders and shower saves, to help people make changes in their home and reduce energy costs. These small measures were tailored to individual needs and, where necessary, home visits were carried out to install them.
During home visits, project workers also offered advice on reducing damp, completed comprehensive draught proofing and installed washing lines. Households suitable for larger energy efficiency measures were signposted to Home Energy Advice North East.
As part of the project, the team produced the Save Money By Learning To Better Manage Your Heating System guide, which details how to effectively use heating controls in the home. This was discussed during home visits, including in houses where residents were unaware the combi boiler was set to 75-80 degrees.
Outreach advisor proving energy saving advice to residents at a community hall.
Project impact:
This project supported hundreds of residents to reduce their energy bills and improve their wellbeing.
My home feels much warmer and I can turn the heating down a little which in the current financial climate is extremely valuable.
Whitley Bay resident
Throughout the project, the team delivered:
- Over 350 households received face to face energy advice.
- Over 5,000 small measures distributed.
- Over 90 referrals to additional support.
- Training to 52 frontline workers/volunteers.
- Home visits to over 50 vulnerable residents.
- Training to 2 staff members who completed the NEA Level 3 exam.
This has been an invaluable service to the largely elderly, isolated and vulnerable people who attend our weekly chair-based exercise group at Whitley Bay Baptist Church.
Ann, Parish Nurse, Whitley Bay Baptist Church