What is Warmth Matters?
Over the last few months, I have been trying to get to grips with one of Action Hampshire’s projects – Warmth Matters. This is not a new project for Action Hampshire, but very new for my colleague Alison and I! It is funded by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). The project involves talking to vulnerable customers about how to save energy, reduce their fuel bills, get support if with fuel debt and encourage eligible people to sign up to the free Priority Services Register (PSR). This is all new territory for me and I had little knowledge about energy efficiency and the help available before some recent training and research I’ve conducted. Having spent a long time learning and researching, the time was here to just get going and book our first engagement with a group. The best way to learn is through doing!
Our first visit of 2024
So it was a pleasure to attend a group for people with Parkinsons and their partners and carers in Crofton Community Centre in Stubbington last week. Walking in it was quite daunting. I was surprised to see about 50 people in the room. I should have really checked on numbers before I arrived! Lesson 1 learnt. It was clear the few free torches I brought to give out were going to be insufficient. Most people were sat at tables chatting over tea and biscuits. I met briefly with David, the Chair of the group, before he handed me the microphone to start talking about energy. So I started chatting about how people can sign up to the free Priority Services Register to get more support during planned and unplanned power cuts. We also spoke about ways to reduce energy costs in the home while still keeping warm and what items used the most energy.
I spoke about some of the help available for people towards their fuel bills and ways to insulate their home. Following the talk I went round the room supporting people to complete PSR forms and chat to them about energy. I had underestimated the number of questions and unfortunately ran out of time. The group had a singing session next so unfortunately I couldn’t stay longer. I was able to take the telephone number of a couple of ladies, and phone them back to give them some more help with their individual circumstances. I think there were lots more questions so I have offered to visit again.
For more information…
It was such a pleasure to support a local community group in Hampshire with our Warmth Matters project. If you are a Voluntary, Community or Social Enterprise organisation with beneficiaries who would like to support with energy efficiency and reducing bills, please get in contact. We would be happy to arrange a visit to your group. Please email claire.vincent@actionhampshire.org
If signing up to the PSR, please select ‘Warmth Matters’ for how you heard about the project.
