Energy Accessibility Service (EASE)
Warm homes are crucially important for disabled people – not only are they more likely to suffer the detrimental health effects of living in a cold home, but they are also more likely to struggle to pay fuel bills and access support for keeping affordably warm.
Through this project, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) team worked with existing organisations to reach as many people as possible, creating a referral system involving local voluntary groups, health services and other organisations.
“People don’t always understand how we can help them,” said Kate Thomas, CSE’s project manager.
“They tend to think we’ll just tell everyone to turn their heating down or even off! But it’s about much more than that – it’s about getting the best from your energy supplier, making sure you receive the help you need and being able to keep yourself safe, warm and comfortable at home.”
CSE provides personalised one-to-one advice on:
- Energy efficiency measures such as insulation.
- Financial support for staying warm.
- Switching energy supplier and dealing with fuel debt.
- Keeping safe in a power cut and enlisting on the Priority Services Register.
- Understanding and managing energy bills and meters.
- Knowing where to seek help on energy, financial and health related issues.
By improving access to good quality energy advice, this project supports a better quality of life for disabled and frail older people struggling to keep warm and well at home. EASE was funded by a Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities grant.