Fuel Poverty and Energy Advice for groups

Community Energy London (CEL) has created this information hub to help community energy organisations expand their knowledge and skills in helping households struggling with their energy bills and begin their own fuel poverty alleviation and advice projects. 

The huge increase in energy bills over the past six months is a major contributor to the cost of living crisis, with demand outstripping current resources to help those most in need. These kinds of projects can tackle fuel poverty, while empowering people to take charge of their own energy bills.

This resource is part of our fuel poverty project, launched April 2022, and we have a new Fuel Poverty Coordinator, Alex Hartley – who many of you know already. Alex can assist groups with their own projects so you are in need of support, get in touch ([email protected]). We have also designed a short survey that enables groups to let CEL know what they are currently up to, where there are gaps, what groups would like to support them and more.  If you would like to complete the survey it can be found here.

This project forms part of our wider ‘Enabling Community Energy in London’ programme with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and we are grateful to them for their continued support.

Page last updated 17 March 2023.

For groups

  • The London Community Energy Fund provides much-needed support to get community energy projects up and running.
  • Redress Fund– Registered Charities, Community Interest Companies, Co-operative Societies and Community Benefit Societies can apply for funds to deliver energy related projects that meet the scheme priorities and benefit people in England, Scotland and Wales. Energy Saving Trust will be administering the scheme until 2024.
  • Project Initiation Document – The PID can be used to help groups thoroughly plan their projects, before applying for funding (Shared with our members with the permission of stakeholdermap.com).
  • Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition – Launched 20 September 2022, £9.2 million available from BEIS, to training providers delivering a suite of training solutions to support the energy efficiency, retrofit and low carbon heating sector.

   For consumers

  • ECO 4 – Guidance sets out the requirements expected of Local Authorities when referring eligible households, and information on oversight and the administration process. Intended to run until 31 March 2026
  • Warm Home Discount – One off discount on your energy bills between October and March, if you are eligible
  • Sustainable Warmth Competition includes the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Homes Upgrade Grant and Local Authority Delivery Scheme
  • Warmer Homes – The Mayor of London’s Warmer Homes programme provides free heating, insulation and ventilation improvements for low income Londoners who own their own homes or rent privately
  • Citizens Advice have further information on grants and benefits here, and offer a helpline.

  • 24 November 2022 – Cost of living, energy costs and support for clients – Fuel Poverty and Energy Advice workshop 6/6 – The ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ can create a complicated maze of what is available and to whom. This session will help you navigate it for clients who are extra vulnerable to cold weather, energy costs and their health.

Recording

  • 27 October 2022 – Reaching the hard to reach – Fuel Poverty and Energy Advice workshop 5/6 – How can organisations best connect with those who do not often seek out help, but generally are the most in need? How can community energy advice and fuel poverty alleviation projects work most effectively with minimal resources but huge, and increasing need?

Recording

  • 30 September 2022 – Providing Effective Energy Advice – Fuel Poverty and Energy Advice workshop 4/6 – Impartial, consistent and friendly advice is often the cornerstone of an effective fuel poverty project and key to tackling the issue.

Recording

  • 26 August 2022 – Identifying the right project for your group – Fuel Poverty and Energy Advice workshop 3/6  – How to best choose the right type of project or initiative for your organisation and the needs of your local community.

Recording

Slides

  • 24 June 2022 – Funding opportunities – Fuel Poverty and Energy Advice workshop 2/6 – A whistle stop tour of key funding opportunities for fuel poverty alleviation & energy advice based projects & how to secure funding

Recording

  • 20 June 2022 – Levelling Up Community Energy Advice workshop part 2, hosted by Aex Hartley and Dr Giovanna Speciale – Second part of this two part compact learning session covering the fundamentals of planning, funding and delivering an impactful fuel poverty alleviation project.

Recording

  • 13 June 2022 – Levelling Up Community Energy Advice workshop part 1, hosted by Aex Hartley and Dr Giovanna Speciale – This two part compact learning session covers the fundamentals of planning, funding and delivering an impactful fuel poverty alleviation project.

Recording

  • 27 May 2022 – The challenge, and action we can take – Fuel Poverty and Energy Advice workshop 1/6 – For community groups and voluntary organisations who want to host an energy advice project in their local area and provide practical support and guidance for those living in fuel poverty.

Recording

  • May 2022 – Recording from Peter Smith, Director of Policy and Advocacy at National Energy Action speaking on the current cost of living crisis and the huge rise in fuel poverty that we have seen recently and will continue to see

CEL events and other events like these can also be found on eventbrite and at environmentjob.co.uk

Energy Advice London is a free and impartial advice service for anyone living in London, funded by the Mayor of London and delivered by Energy Saving Trust.

For more specific information on what London Boroughs are doing on fuel poverty, for their advice on saving energy, and support see here.