Southampton Warmth For All: Project Achievements

Project Overview

We have just finished delivering a one year project aimed at reducing fuel poverty in Southampton, and would like to share some of the achievements. The project was funded by the Scottish Power Energy People Trust and it allowed us to continue to deliver our fuel poverty outreach work across Southampton.

Through the project local residents were given support through a variety of settings such as home visits, appointments, events and workshops. This support included:

• Advice on reducing energy usage at home,
• Help switching energy tariff or supplier,
• Dealing with fuel debt,
• Applying for grants and discounts,
• Draught proofing (including free materials),
• Tackling condensation and mould.

Project Highlights

• Households given face to face support = 797
• Home visits and appointments = 81 home visits and 50 appointments
• Events attended = 25 promotional events, 40 drop-ins and 10 workshops
• Households provided with free energy efficiency measures = 502
• Total perceived cost savings from energy efficiency measures = £24,285/year
• Total savings from switching energy provider = £6,080/year
• Other grants secured for households e.g. Warm Home Discount, ECO, Water Assistance = £22,900
• Households assisted with fuel debt = 48
• Referrals made to other organisations for additional support = 147
• New Home Guides given out = 2,230

Feedback

From a client attending one of our presentations:

I thought I knew it all, but after I had listened to your presentation at Southampton Mencap Carers Lunch, I realised that I still had a lot to learn. The best bit is that I applied for the Warm Home Discount for my son who is in receipt of DLA, and within a week he was sent a letter stating that his account will be credited with £140 before 31st March 2016. Thank you very much for an interesting and worthwhile presentation.

From an event organiser where we did a drop-in session:

Thank you to you and your colleagues for attending our sessions recently. My colleagues received some good feedback from families, who said the information they received was very helpful.

From a local agency who refers clients to us:

That is fantastic – thank you so much – really helpful as always!

Even though the Southampton Warmth For All project has finished, we can still help households in Southampton (and Hampshire) with these issues. So, if you or someone you know is struggling to keep warm and well, please call the Environment Centre (tEC) on Freephone 0800 804 8601 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or email keepwarm@environmentcentre.com to speak to an advisor.