Graphic: Energise Sussex Coast
Worried households urged to contact local advice services as energy bills rise
As the energy price cap rises this week, Energise Sussex Coast’s Gabriel Carlyle explains how to you can access free help and advice about energy this winter.
Local community organisations are urging East Sussex residents worried about managing their energy bills this winter to make contact with their free energy advice services.
The invitations come in the week that the energy price cap increases by 9% – a move that is expected to push an additional 400,000 more UK households into fuel poverty – and follows in the wake of the government’s decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment from roughly 10 million pensioners this year.
Energy advice drop-ins
Members of the public can visit one of Energise Sussex Coast’s free community energy advice stalls (see below) or book a free appointment by ringing or texting 01424 390 062.
Founded in 2012, local community benefit cooperative Energise Sussex Coast works to tackle the climate crisis and energy injustice through community-owned renewable power and energy-saving schemes. Its free Energy Advice service helps local residents to bring down the cost of their electricity, gas and water bills.
In the twelve months to March ESC was able to support 943 local households with energy advice, providing them with over £170,000 financial benefit in grants, debt write-offs, fuel vouchers and bill-savings from energy-efficiency measures.
ESC has just launched a series of new community drop-in sessions at Hastings and Eastbourne libraries, as well as the Community Info Hub at Hastings Town Hall:
- Hastings Library (Brassey Institute, 13 Claremont, TN34 1HE), 10am – 12pm, Tues 8 Oct and Tues 22 Oct
- Community Info Hub (Hastings Town Hall, Station Road, TN34 1NG), 10am – 12pm, Thurs 10 Oct, Thurs 17 Oct, Thurs 24 Oct and Thurs 31 Oct
- Eastbourne Library (Grove Rd, BN21 4TL), 10am – 12pm, Wed 16 Oct and Wed 30 Oct
A full list of times, dates and locations for drop-ins around the County this October can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/energyadviceoct24.
‘Tragically, we are expecting yet another very busy winter with the new price hike coming just as people are putting their heating on,’ says Energise Sussex Coast’s director Kate Meakin. ‘This price rise is also taking place alongside the termination of several valuable support schemes such as the Cost of Living payment and the end of the universal Winter Fuel Allowance for older people.
“I hope that anyone who is worrying about how they will manage their bills will get in touch with our community energy advice service. We are here to help everyone.’
Tuesday 8 October: Energy Day at the Town Hall
Meanwhile, Citizens Advice and the Hastings Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) will be hosting a free ‘Energy Day’, providing guidance on how to get help for frontline workers, people in fuel poverty or anyone worried about friends or family affording energy bills this winter: 1–4pm, Tuesday 8 Oct at the Community Info Hub, Hastings Town Hall (Queens Road, TN34 1QR).
A special training briefing will be being held at the Info Hub for frontline workers at 11am.
‘A cold home is a risk to health’, says Tracy Dighton, Chief Executive of Citizens
Advice 1066. ‘People with heart and respiratory conditions need to keep warm at
home to protect their health during the cold weather. There is lots of support from local services: grants and help getting benefits, especially Pension Credit; access to home improvements; fire safety checks. Help is available, people just need to know where to find it. That’s why Citizens Advice 1066 are teaming up with HEART, National Energy Action, and other local organisations to host Energy Day, before winter kicks in.’
An energy advice session in Hastings. Photo: Energise Sussex Coast
Energise Sussex Coast: www.energisesussexcoast.co.uk
Citizen’s Advice 1066: www.citizensadvice1066.co.uk
Hastings HEART: www.hastingsheart.com
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