Devon charities awarded grants to help tackle fuel poverty
Fuel poverty grants have been issued to charities in Devon, as part of a drive to help local people live more sustainably and stay warm this winter. The awards have come from Western Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distributor for the region, which distributes £1 million a year to community initiatives and local good causes through its ‘Community Matters’ fund.
Amongst the beneficiaries announced today is Torridge, North, Mid & West Devon Citizens Advice, which has been awarded £9,995. WPD’s grant will allow the organisation to deliver training activities for 42 volunteers, providing essential support for people in fuel poverty.
Alison Sleightholm, WPD’s Resources & External Affairs Director, said: “It’s great to see the first of our grants being distributed to organisations and charities in the South West which are offering direct help to the people who need it most this winter. Their work will make a vital difference, supporting our most vulnerable customers and making a positive impact in the communities we serve.
“Tackling fuel poverty is a crucial and immediate priority for WPD, as vulnerable customers in the region are expected to experience hardship this year. This winter’s community funding from WPD is an extension of our wide-ranging fuel poverty programme, supporting customers who are struggling to pay their bills.”
Graham Vingoe, Business and Funding Development Officer at Torridge, North, Mid & West Devon Citizens Advice said: “At a time when Citizens Advice is forecasting that an additional two million households will fall into fuel poverty following the increase in energy price cap in April, the additional support for energy training which Western Power Distribution will provide is a welcome boost and will allow us to help many more Devon residents by providing sustainable solutions to their energy advice needs.”
For more information please visit www.westernpower.co.uk/community-matters-fund. Follow the fund on social media via #WPDCommunityFund
