On Thursday 18 May, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) was awarded the Vulnerable Customer Support award for the South West. This award recognises our work to support people in vulnerable circumstances who are struggling with their energy bills and in fuel poverty.

CSE’s energy advice service

Over the last year, we’ve supported over 15,000 households with their energy needs, most of whom face a number of disadvantages that make them more vulnerable to cold homes and unable to afford energy. This includes people on a low income, with physical and mental health conditions, with language or cultural barriers, living in poor-quality houses and people who are socially isolated.

Our energy advice service is made up of highly skilled and friendly advisors who offer holistic, tailored advice on:

• Behaviour change.
• Energy efficiency installations and improvements.
• Income maximisation.
• Grants and funding.
• Welfare and well-being support.
• Ongoing support, referrals and advocacy.

In the South West, we have several local projects to further support the needs within different areas of the UK. Local projects include Warm & Safe Wiltshire, Safe & Warm Somerset and Warmer Homes, Advice & Money.

This is fabulous recognition for our achievements, and I want to thank my team for their hard work. It’s important to recognise the huge effort of the whole energy efficiency sector over the last few years. We’ve had to change our ways of working while delivering more work than ever before.

Ian Preston, Director of Household Energy Services

Ongoing work to improve our service

It’s a CSE-wide effort to ensure our energy advice provides the best support to those that need it most. Drawing on our work within community engagement, data and analysis and retrofit we’re able to understand local needs, explore new insights into transforming the energy system and make sure people’s homes are energy efficient, healthy and comfortable.

It’s CSE’s mission to end the suffering caused by cold homes and tackle the climate emergency. For more information about what we do and how to support us, contact us.