The Wise Group has partnered with SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas distribution networks, to provide targeted energy support to vulnerable communities in Falkirk. With nearly a third of households in fuel poverty and 16% of residents living in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas, this initiative addresses energy affordability, efficiency, and safety.
Key Objectives
The initiative aims to achieve several outcomes for Falkirk households:
- Reach 2,600 households with tailored energy advice through outreach and drop-in sessions.
- Providing one-to-one energy safeguarding support to 1,200 fuel-poor households, including comprehensive advocacy casework.
- Offering immediate and long-term assistance to households in energy crisis, addressing urgent needs and improving energy use efficiency over time.
- Raising CO safety awareness among households new to the gas network, including the distribution of free CO alarms.
- Promoting the Priority Services Register (PSR) and helping eligible residents sign up to receive free, essential services during energy-related emergencies.
- Tackling Energy Crisis and Fuel Poverty
Tackling the Energy Crisis and Fuel Poverty
A core component focuses on delivering personalised support through Energy Mentors. By delivering in-depth advocacy and relational mentoring support to 1,200 fuel-poor households, the partnership ensures that those in need will receive sustained, personalised support. This will go beyond one-off advice, allowing households to engage with dedicated Energy Mentors who will help them optimise their energy consumption and improve household energy efficiency. These efforts are designed to provide lasting solutions that reduce fuel poverty and enable households to live comfortably in warm homes.
Further, households experiencing an energy crisis will receive independent, tailored advice to resolve emergencies quickly and efficiently. The programme includes support for those with historic energy debts, providing assistance with debt management and repayment plans to give families a fresh start. This service includes support for switching to mains gas, providing information on safety, installation, and energy-efficient appliances. Financial assistance options, such as government grants, will also be available.
Falkirk households will have access to a wide range of services:
- CO Awareness Conversations: Information on CO dangers and free alarms.
- Energy Efficiency Advice: Guidance on reducing energy consumption.
- Heating and Tariff Advice: Help selecting cost-effective systems and tariffs.
- Income Maximisation: Identifying financial support to increase income.
- Debt Management Support: Assistance with reducing energy debts.
- Efficiency Measures: Tailored advice on insulation and energy-saving appliances.
The Wise Group and SGN aim to:
- Increase household income through financial support.
- Reduce fuel poverty and energy debt.
- Improve energy usage and efficiency.
- Strengthen relationships between households and energy suppliers.
Voices from the Partnership
“Through this collaboration with SGN, we aim to provide Falkirk households with the tailored advice and support they need to manage energy effectively and safeguard their homes,” said Amanda Currie, head of energy services. “Our shared mission is to reach the most vulnerable, making sure they have access to critical services and information to overcome barriers, alleviate fuel poverty, and reach positive destinations. We will do this through our relational mentoring approach, offering tailored, individualised support for individuals from mentors with relatable experience of the barriers they are facing”.
Linda Spence, Vulnerability Manager for Scotland at SGN, added, “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Wise Group to provide this essential energy support and safeguarding service to households across Falkirk. The Wise Group are seeing first-hand the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on those with families struggling to afford to maintain a safe and warm home. Through their specialist local energy advice team, they’ll support households ahead of winter to use energy safely, efficiently, and affordably while building a network of support partners to provide further services to help address fuel poverty and the challenges households face”.
For more information, please contact:
The Wise Group, HEAT services
0800 092 9002
enquiries@thewisegroup.co.uk
For customers looking for advice/support with New Gas connection, you can refer here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5phJElssTk6c7uDzl6GMDtK_sUBcimhNsmHilEPIId1UQ0tTVlUwSlU1UjRFM1BTT0hKQjFINkxINS4u
For those in the general Falkirk area, please refer to: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5phJElssTk6c7uDzl6GMDtK_sUBcimhNsmHilEPIId1UMENaMzlRMElYQ1VYV0ZHR0FNN05NSlhUMS4u
