Cadent Foundation awards Citizens Advice £492,886 to tackle fuel poverty
The Cadent Foundation has awarded £492,886 to Citizens Advice to launch a 12-month pilot project, offering dedicated energy advice and support to ensure people have the benefits and allowances they're entitled to. The pilot will take place across eight priority locations, including Burnley, Knowsley, Liverpool, Birmingham, Sandwell, Lincoln, Norwich and Ipswich.
The cost-of-living crisis has seen a huge increase in the numbers of people coming to Citizens Advice with complex issues and in need of support. This funding will mean residents in the chosen areas will be able to speak to a dedicated energy caseworker who will provide one-to-one fuel debt and benefit support.
Daniel Gill, Utilities Partnerships Manager at Citizens Advice said:
We are delighted the Cadent Foundation has chosen to support our work in helping people at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.
Projects like this, where dedicated energy caseworkers can support households to access financial assistance are needed now more than ever before. Through this service, we’ll gain valuable insight into how to tackle fuel poverty for the most affected households.
It also means we’ll be able to provide people with information on how to make their homes more energy efficient in the long term and improve their overall quality of life.
Julia Dwyer, Director of Cadent Foundation said:
It’s vitally important that we continue to work together to find new and effective ways of tackling fuel poverty. As an organisation, Citizens Advice already provides an invaluable service and we were eager to support them with this new pilot initiative providing one to one, tailored support for people struggling with their energy costs. There isn’t a quick fix to help people to break free from fuel poverty which is why ongoing support to help people with long term solutions is what’s needed.
The impact of this project will help shape future programmes to ensure we are delivering the right solutions and reaching those in most need of support.
For more information about how Citizens Advice can help visit the Citizens Advice website and search for your local office.
