Local charity Act on Energy, widely recognised as the county’s trusted organisation for energy advice, has been awarded over £26,000 in crisis funding by Heart of England Community Energy (HECE). With winter approaching, this grant will provide immediate relief and vital support to vulnerable households across the Stratford and Warwick districts.
The grant will be used to offer fuel payment credits, fuel vouchers for prepayment accounts and the clearance of low-level energy debts, easing immediate financial pressures on families. Additionally, it will fund small energy-saving measures, improving the warmth, comfort and health of local homes while reducing energy consumption and bills.
This new funding follows £23,000 worth of crisis funding provided by HECE for 2023-24. Act on Energy used this funding to support families with fuel credits, vouchers, boiler servicing, emergency repairs and small energy-saving measures like controllable electric blankets, slow cookers, draught-proofing kits and radiator foils. These efforts led to over 250 meaningful improvements, benefiting 52 local households.
Reflecting on last year’s funding impact, Rachel Jones, CEO at Act on Energy stated:
“The energy crisis has had a real impact on many people and so we were especially grateful to HECE for the funding at such a crucial time. We know that being able to help residents with advice, as well as practical support, has made a genuine difference to people’s lives – many of whom felt helpless in knowing where to turn.”
John Stott, HECE Chairman, added:
"We are proud to extend this year’s crisis funding to help local people save energy and reduce their bills. By offering this practical financial support, combined with Act on Energy’s expert advice and guidance, we aim to empower vulnerable households with the tools they need to become more self-reliant when it comes to their energy."
About Act on Energy:
Act on Energy has been offering expert energy advice for more than 25 years from its Warwickshire base. A freephone energy advice line is open to anyone across Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands. The advice line handles calls from those struggling with energy payments and debts as well offering advice on making homes more energy efficient, including searching for grant and funding options.
For more information, please contact:
Freephone advice line: 0800 988 2881
Website: www.actonenergy.org.uk
Email: advice@actonenergy.org.uk
Or please check out their Impact Report https://www.actonenergy.org.uk/our-impact
About Heart of England Community Energy (HECE)
HECE is a not-for-profit community energy organisation that operates one of the UK’s largest community solar farms near Stratford-upon-Avon. They reinvest surplus income into community and carbon reduction projects across South Warwickshire.
This funding is part of HECE’s ongoing commitment to tackling fuel poverty, building on over £70,000 in support for Act on Energy’s Complex Case Worker pilot project, which provided free, personalised energy advice to individuals facing complex energy-related issues.
Please check out the news section to find out more about this project.
HECE was recently recognised with a Fuel Poverty Action Award from Community Energy England, for their support for Act on Energy.
For more information about HECE and funding opportunities, please contact:
Email: info@hecommunityenergy.co.uk
Facebook: Heart of England Community Energy
Commentaires