A small amount of Fuel Poverty work has already been undertaken locally. The case study below illustrates just one way our project can help disadvantaged families to change their lives for the better and to sustain that change: Mrs D. of Aldershot found herself in financial difficulties after her husband left her in 2006. She thought he was paying the bills, but he wasn’t, and consequently she was left with a lot of arrears, including gas and electricity. She is deaf and asthmatic, and finds it difficult to get work. She receives Incapacity Benefit, Income Support and full Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit. She tried hard to pay off her debts but was unable to make much headway. She was unable to afford to put enough money into her gas meter to keep herself warm during the winter, as part of every pound she put in was immediately lost to pay towards the arrears. She applied successfully to an Energy Trust for a grant that effectively paid off her gas and electricity arrears, up to the date of the award. This reduced the burden of debt and worry under which Mrs D. had been living, and ensured that she was able to manage her affairs and stay warm. ----------------------------------------------- Our Fuel Poverty project will tackle fuel poverty (and help address environmental concerns) by comprising four main elements: 1. Advising and assisting beneficiaries to apply for energy related grants and benefits to which they may be entitled. This will help beneficiaries to eliminate their fuel debt whilst also taking advantage of ways to improve the energy efficiency of their home 2. Advising beneficiaries of energy efficiency measures they can adopt (thereby helping them make energy efficiency savings and leading to lower future household fuel bills) 3. Where appropriate providing support via energy efficient / energy saving products (thereby enabling beneficiaries to take advantage of energy saving measures within their home) 4. Signposting beneficiaries to other organisations and other RHL projects which can give beneficiaries further support to take control of their life and other difficulties they may be experiencing; ensuring that any changes are sustained in the longer term The project will be delivered via: 1. One-to-one ‘energy advice surgeries’ in local community venues 2. Workshops in local schools focusing on energy efficiency (educating the adults of tomorrow regarding energy efficiency measures and personal responsibilities) 3. Energy advice surgeries and presentations at local events / to local groups The project will be delivered by a full-time ‘Energy Advisor’. The Advisor will work very closely with a range of other organisations - both to enable referrals to be made to the project as well as signposting to other additional support mechanisms. The project commenced in April 2008 thanks to a £75,000 grant which has already been secured towards the £120,000 three year project cost. However this still leaves £45,000 to be raised in order for the project to run for the full three year initial period.