Citizens Advice 1066 is set to receive £185,880 through the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) competition to support households in rural Rother to retrofit their homes to improve energy efficiency and reduce bills, funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero working in partnership with the Greater South East Net Zero Hub. The programme will be launched at the Rye Sustainable Living Forum, Tilling Green Community Centre, Rye on Sunday 26th November at 3pm.
The programme will engage households across rural Rother to explain the benefits of having a free professional ‘retrofit assessment’ carried out on their home. Retrofit assessments will be followed by further home visits from Citizens Advice 1066’s trained advisors to help households understand the assessment report and decide on a course of action. The programme is primarily aimed at vulnerable households and those at risk of fuel poverty, but is open to anyone who is in a ‘hard to reach’ demographic (such as those without English as a first language, those without internet access and other barriers) or a ‘hard to treat’ home (such as older buildings and those off the gas grid). The programme runs for two years, and will provide over 200 retrofit assessments.
Households interested in having a free retrofit assessment on their home and the follow-up support can get in touch via the form on the Citizens Advice 1066 website or call 0800 1456879. Advisors will also be available for drop-in visits at community venues around rural Rother in the coming months; the locations and timings will be publicised on the website.
The funding is part of £4m awarded to 7 projects across the southeast, and a total of 36 across England.
“Rother District Council welcomes the opportunity to support this important project which will support those most at risk of fuel poverty and in properties that are hard to decarbonise. The Council is committed to helping residents save money on their energy bills and reduce emissions across the district. Reduced emissions mean cleaner air, fewer respiratory diseases, and savings for the NHS.” – Cllr Field, Portfolio Holder for Environmental, Licensing, Community Safety, Climate Strategy, and Joint Waste Contract.
“With parallel crises in the cost of living, the cost of energy and climate change, it’s vital that all homes are brought up to a high standard of energy efficiency, but many households are confused about how to do this. Through this project we will ensure people can access the information and advice they need to make good decisions on home retrofitting. By helping them access grants where possible, we will ensure that every household can benefit and play its part in moving the UK to a low-carbon footing.” – Tracy Dighton, Chief Officer, Citizens Advice 1066
“We’re delighted to be supporting the LEAD programme in the Greater South East region, and welcome the opportunity to learn from the innovative home energy advice services being trialled by the pilot projects” – Maxine Narburgh, Regional Head, Greater South East Net Zero Hub