Energise Sussex Coast offers free advice on tackling fuel bills and improving energy efficiency (photo: ESC).
Wheels, and a grant, will help energy advice group reach residents in remoter parts
Energise Sussex Coast’s winter energy advice service has resumed. And with the aid of an Energy Caravan the group will be extending its service to out-of-town areas. Nick Terdre reports.
The Energy Caravan is a new service supported by a £15,000 grant from UK Power Networks to enable Energise Sussex Coast to serve residents who live in remoter areas and/or are unable to attend the group’s regular sessions in Hastings and Bexhill.
“The events aim to help those who often miss out on help, including pensioners, people with sickness or disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers, isolated communities and deprived housing estates,” says UKPN.
On board the Energy Caravan will be a model eco home, while people will be able to watch DIY energy efficiency demos and get help in switching suppliers, making energy efficiency improvements and applying for grants, discounts and support.
Sessions have already been held at Optivo premises in Hollington and the Sanctuary Cafe in Eastbourne.
The Energy Caravan will also participate in the Heart of Sidley Christmas Extravaganza at All Saints Church from about 5pm on Saturday 28 November.
Visits are also being arranged to faith groups in East Sussex – dates and locations will be advertised on the ESC Facebook page. Individuals or groups wanting to book an advice session should contact Anton Hack. If you are attending a session, please bring along your energy and water bills and, if possible, recent meter readings.
Regular sessions resume
Meanwhile the regular advice sessions are under way again at three locations in Hastings and Bexhill:
- Every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm in the contact centre at Hastings Town Hall (entrance opposite Priory Meadow shopping centre)
- Every Thursday from 2 to 4pm in Bexhill Library at the junction of Western Road and Sackville Road
- Every Friday from 11:30am to 1:30pm at Hastings Foodbank, Hastings Centre, The Ridge.
In warmer months advice is available at festivals and open-air events (photo: ESC).
Fortnightly sessions have also been arranged on Thursdays from 1pm, starting on 28 November, at the OPEN cafe, 19 Grand Parade on the sea front in St Leonards, and on Fridays at 1-4pm, starting on 22 November, at the Age UK information and advice centre, Unit 43, Priory Meadow shopping centre.
Residents can either make an appointment by emailing energy advisor Kate Meakin or just turn up on the day – again, remember to bring bills and meter readings.
“Every year we are really pleased to help local residents bring down their bills and make their homes warmer and more comfortable,” says Kate. “We can help everyone with information on everything from switching providers, accessing grants and DIY energy efficiency measures.”
In the first two weeks after restarting its service ESC’s advice saved local residents a total of £2,381 either through switching to a cheaper supplier or applying for the £140 Warm Home Discount.
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