Plymouth partnership aims to help more the 20,000 local people
A two-year partnership between Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and Wales & West Utilities aims to provide help to more than 20,000 people across the city through a range of bespoke energy support measures.
Charity and social enterprise, PEC, has received nearly £1m of funding to tackle the rising issue of fuel poverty experienced by individuals and households across the city and will work to reach customers directly, and through existing pathways, to help signpost them to appropriate partners and provide income maximisation advice.
PEC has received funding through gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities, which has a Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) fund.
Clare Mains, Project Manager at PEC, explains the need:
“As an organisation focussed on empowering the local community, we are experiencing a huge increase in the need for support around energy issues. Whilst Plymouth is a growing city, it also has a higher rate of deprivation compared to other areas of England.
“The past few years of high energy prices, coupled with residents living in properties that are aging, has taken its toll and we are seeing more and more people living in fuel poverty. Not only does this have financial implications, but also physical and mental health impacts too.”
Through the two-year partnership PEC’s 30 staff will help clients through a range of measures.
It will offer walk-in energy advice through its planned PEC Home Hub delivering income maximisation advice, whilst offering energy supplier mediation and access to the Priority Services Register. Energy advisors will also undertake home visits to provide energy efficiency advice, carbon monoxide awareness and help residents with their energy issues, whilst the team will also reach vulnerable residents through partnership working with social care teams.
Clare continued:
“As a charity a lot of our work, and subsequent impact, is determined by the funding granted to us to run programmes like this.
“Our team is dedicated to supporting people, and we continue to see the difference our work makes to the lives of those living across Plymouth. This funding will enable us to reach even more people. This is such an important partnership and I’m delighted that, as the gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities is funding us to provide vital help at a time which is pivotal for so many.”
Sophie Shorney, VCMA Manager at Wales & West Utilities, said:
“We are delighted to provide this vital funding through the VCMA. The fund allows us to work in partnership with organisations to reach more people and provide them with the help they need to ensure they receive the right support and help with their bills, to help keep them safe and warm in their own homes.
“PEC is making great strides in ensuring people across the city receive the right support. Not only are its own staff providing bespoke advice, but it has a great partnership and referral model to make sure people receive advice in a timely fashion.”
Between April 2021 to March 2026, Wales & West Utilities has £25m to spend on projects which support consumers in vulnerable situations and raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and keep people safe from the ‘silent killer’.
Funding is distributed through the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), and 75% of the money will be spent on projects relevant to Wales and south west England only, while 25% will be spent on collaborative projects with the other gas networks across the whole of the UK.
If you have a project that you think Wales & West Utilities could support, either individually or collaboratively with other gas networks, then contact Wales & West Utilities at VCMA@wwutilities.co.uk.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.
