The Rural Communities Energy Support Network was launched to meet the need for energy-focused advice for struggling householders during the cost-of-living crisis and sustained high energy prices that hit Britain after 1921.

The project aimed to boost the ability of front-line professionals and voluntary organisations in Somerset and Wiltshire to provide basic energy advice.

CSE delivered the training programme and provided ongoing support to build the capacity of these groups and to make them effective advice-givers in issues around energy bills, home insulation fuel debt and related areas.

The Rural Communities Energy Support Network was, in part, a pilot project to see if this was an efficient way to raise the ability of non-energy specialists to give energy advice. For this reason, a post-project evaluation was carried out in some detail, and you can read the findings here.

Heating or eating

Karn Shah managed the Rural Communities Energy Support Network project for CSE. “Being able to afford to keep warm in winter is a basic right for everyone,” he said. “But some people in Somerset and Wiltshire, were unable to afford to keep warm at home and in fear of high energy bills. In 2021, many faced a choice between between heating their home and eating.

“By increasing the number of organisations able to offer knowledge and practical support, we reduce significantly the number of people struggling for affordable warmth.”

A range of services were provide, which included:

• Some basic training in the form of a series of short knowledge-sharing sessions that covered issues such as spotting the signs of fuel poverty, simple draught-proofing, setting heating controls, and understanding energy bills.
• Mentoring, resources such as factsheets and step-by-step guides, and an online forum for peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing.
• Support in running local initiatives, activities and workshops on fuel poverty.

And of course CSE’s experienced and professional energy advisors were on hand to take on the more complex cases that required a more in-depth response.

“Our aim was to improve the lives of more people through our energy advice, and to provide community workers or groups with the knowledge that so many have been asking for” said Karn.

Grants

Through the project, CSE also offered grants of £300 to £5,000 to community organisations in Wiltshire, Swindon and Somerset. The aim was to increase the capacity for organisations to deliver energy advice to vulnerable people in their communities.

The funding was used for a range of activities including training, staff time, events, energy saving kit for distribution to clients, publicity and volunteer expenses.

This project was funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme and delivered by CSE in partnership with the following organisations:

Somerset Independence Plus

Community Council for Somerset

Spark Somerset

Wessex Community Action