Citizens Advice Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland Energy Focus Local
Funded Project: Description
This project is a continuation of their specialist energy advice service (Energy Redress Round 4) providing intensive advice and support to 1,070 households in vulnerable situations and 1,600 light touch advice interactions throughout Darlington, Redcar, Cleveland and Hartlepool to mitigate the effect of fuel poverty.
The team will leverage existing relationships with statutory, health sector, and voluntary sector partners responding to the cost-of-living crisis, including a network of warm spaces established across the districts. These organisations will act as referrers and venues for promoting the energy advice service. A group of volunteer engagement workers will also promote the service amongst partners to identify people worst affected by fuel poverty and refer them to the project
The project aims to support households with the greatest need to receive help to deal with fuel debts, resolve disputes with energy companies, reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency, and ensure priority services registration.
The team will undertake home visits to increase the effectiveness of behavioural change support and better identify opportunities for referral to retrofit programmes. Interventions will also include referrals for detailed debt and money advice, employability services, and local Welfare Support Schemes.