GOLDEN Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) are helping local people save on average £300 per year on their fuel bills thanks to a £4,000 grant from the governments ‘Big Energy Saving Network’.
Kira Dean, GGHT Energy Advice Office said “The project allows us to work with community volunteers to offer a range of practical advice on getting energy supplies switched back on, clearing energy debts, support to help people to save money on their energy bills, reduce their energy use and access energy grants.”
Graham Pearce, GGHT Regeneration Officer added “It’s great that we can offer the service to everyone in Warrington and St Helens, but we have specifically targeted people who would most benefit from the service, those who would most benefit from reducing their bills.”
Barbara Woods, aged 79 from Paddington attended one of the Energy Saving Sessions and commented “By attending the session I have learned about my rights and the options with my gas and electric supplier. The team were really nice and have helped me save a fantastic £35 a month.
I didn’t even have to change supplier, they just spoke to my existing supplier and moved me to a better, cheaper tariff, it was really simple. If I had not spoke to them I would have continued to over pay my supplier each month.
It’s great to see that this advice and support is available in the community to help people know their options and help them to reduce bills, I would encourage everyone to look at their energy bills to see if they could save like me. The savings I have made I can now put some money away for winter bills and I can now afford a summer break.”
The project which offers one to one to help people has run since October 2015 will end in March and to date it has helped over 80 people, with those who have switched saving on average £292 per person, per year.
Roy Smith, GGHT Chair said “The project fits perfectly with GGHT’s existing commitment to be a leader in ‘energy efficiency’, to help our customers to save energy, affordably warm their home and tackle fuel poverty.”
The team have been attending community events and visiting people across the local area. If you would like to find out more, get help for yourself or invite the team to your event then contact Graham Pearce or Kira Dean at GGHT on 01925 452452 or email [email protected]
Find out more about the project or saving money on your own energy bills at www.gght.org.uk/EE
