Rural Communities Energy Support Network
In the face of a cost-of-living crisis and high energy prices, the need for energy-focussed advice for struggling householders is critical.
To meet this need in Wiltshire, Swindon, and Somerset, we have launched the Rural Communities Energy Support Network. This project runs until August 2024 and will boost the ability of frontline professionals and voluntary organisations to provide basic energy advice to the people and communities they work with and live among.
The project is funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme, supported by Wiltshire Council and Wessex Community Action.
What can we offer?
We provide a range of services to frontline professionals and voluntary organisations, all of it free and tailored to your needs. These include:
Online knowledge sessions
These are regular short sessions covering the basics of energy advice. Topics include spotting the signs of fuel poverty, simple draught-proofing, setting heating controls, and understanding energy bills. New topics are added based on demand.
Documents and resources
You will have access to a library of resources including bite-sized videos, guidance documents covering common queries, and factsheets to provide to householders.
Mentoring and support
Our experienced energy advisors can provide mentoring tailored to your work. The includes guidance around an individual client’s situation, or broader support in running local initiatives, activities and workshops on fuel poverty. You will also have access to an online forum for peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing and regular online network meetings to connect with others.
You can sign up here to join, or if you have any questions please email [email protected]
“Our aim is to increase the number of people receiving energy advice and to provide community workers or groups with the knowledge that so many have been asking for. Being part of the network will be easy, and we’re not asking members to do anything drastically different in their day-to-day work. It’s simply about identifying those that need energy advice and being more knowledgeable in the conversations that are already happening.”