WISH
WISH
Supporting vulnerable people in rural Somerset
"Without WISH we would not have had our heating done. WISH is a very, very useful [service] and should be more widely known."
(Interviewee on BBC Radio Somerset, 3 March 2010)
Warmer Improved Somerset Homes – or WISH, as its more commonly known – is a fuel-poverty advice service that supports older people in rural areas of Somerset who live in cold damp homes or who struggle to pay their fuel bills.
In Somerset there are a huge number of people for whom paying their fuel bills and staying warm and independent in their own homes is an issue. A typical beneficiary of this service is an elderly person or couple living in a house that is solid-walled (which would make it difficult to insulate) and off the gas network, so probably heated by oil – an expensive fuel.
CSE works in partnership with the two Somerset Care and Repair agencies to provide an in-depth advice service that integrates all aspects of fuel poverty: housing, benefits, fuel debt services, energy efficiency and home improvements, through home visits, case work, outreach and client follow up.
The project also provides training to volunteer groups and to health and social care professionals who know or work with people that are living in fuel poverty, to help them understand the energy-related needs of older householders and services available to help them.
The project hopes to raise elderly people's income and independence, and reduce their risk of fuel poverty*
As well as a warmer, more comfortable home, the project also aims to leave beneficiaries with more disposable income from increased benefit uptake and fuel debt alleviation. This will give more elderly people the means and independence to stay in their own home for longer.
We have already made a big impact. To date, we’ve given support and advice to more than 700 people in their homes or by meeting them locally. We’ve made hundreds of referrals for home improvements and energy efficiency changes to homes. We’ve secured almost £50,000 in additional annual welfare benefits payments for people in the area, and successfully applied for almost £70,000 in grants and awards to support people aged 50 and over who are rurally isolated.
Funded by the Nationwide Foundation, with additional funding from LARC and from the Hastoe Foundation, WISH will run until early 2013.
Get in touch
If you know any Somerset residents who would benefit from a short talk with a friendly adviser, or a longer home visit to talk about any of these issues, or who would simply wish to find out more about the service, please get in touch by email wish@cse.org.uk or they can fill in the form in the box on the right.
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