An exciting new partnership is set to take the fight against fuel poverty out on the road. Working in partnership with D&G HandyVan (SCIO), Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS) has secured funding to deliver free energy advice, right where it is needed.
Funded through Ofgem’s Energy Redress Scheme, the D&G Handy Energy Advice Team (HEAT) Project will focus on carrying out small energy efficient upgrades and delivering in-depth energy advice to those in or at risk of fuel poverty, specifically private tenants and owner-occupiers aged over 60, or people of any age classed as having a disability or long-term health condition.
D&G CAS Project Adviser Zoe Graham explained, “We are delighted to receive funding from Ofgem, as we are a charity and rely entirely on funding to continue delivering all of the benefits our service brings to the region. Our partnership with D&G HandyVan (SCIO) is a perfect opportunity for us to bring help and advice to vulnerable and hard to reach clients, who often suffer in silence and a step forward in our ambition to offer our service in the right place, at the right time and in the right way.”
D&G HandyVan (SCIO) is a charity based in Lockerbie, delivering services to the whole of Dumfries and Galloway, such as small repairs and minor adaptions, home security and dementia friendly design.
Rachel Reekie, D&G HandyVan (SCIO) Manager said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Citizen’s Advice Service on their HEAT Project. Our Fitter, Alan is looking forward to travelling across the region, installing small energy saving measures in client’s homes such as letter box covers and draft proofing of windows and doors. Hopefully these will help to keep our clients’ homes just that little bit warmer.”
Clients can either self-refer or be referred by Social Services, carers, emergency services, day centres, Food Train or by friends, family or neighbours. To find out more, contact Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service on 0300 303 4321, or email [email protected].
Phil Stewart, CEO of D&G CAS, said, “This innovative project is partnership working at its finest. Not only will it help those most in need to become more energy efficient and assist them by ensuring that they are on the very best tariffs and that energy issues are promptly addressed. It also opens up access to wider support from both Services in the Right Place, at the Right Time and in the Right Way.”
