CHAI (Community Help & Advice Initiative) CHAI Energy Advice Service
Funded Project: Description
Through this project, they aim to tackle fuel poverty head-on, reaching those most at risk of poor health, financial hardship, and disconnection.
Using their established presence, networks and partnerships across Edinburgh, the team will provide tailored one-to-one, telephone, and digital energy advice. Support will include dealing with energy debt and disconnection risk, budgeting, switching tariffs, and resolving disputes with suppliers.
They’ll also help clients to access crisis and community grants, improve home energy efficiency, and reduce energy use. Where appropriate, people will be connected into the organisation’s wider welfare rights, housing, money advice, and employability services, ensuring holistic support that addresses the root causes of fuel poverty.
The project’s person-centred approach will ensure clients feel supported and confident in managing their energy needs, reducing the stress that can lead to worsening hardship, ill health, or homelessness. By helping people stay connected, save money, and create warmer, healthier homes, they will improve wellbeing, strengthen financial resilience, and build a more energy-aware community.
They will also gather insight into barriers to energy use and access, helping to shape more effective support in the future.