New Hope Global is part of a consortium led by Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) along with local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations have secured nearly £400,000 funding through the Energy Redress Scheme to facilitate and deliver community-based energy advice and support to local residents across North Birmingham under the umbrella of Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN).

 

The Energy Redress Scheme is a voluntary initiative in the UK that provides funding to organisations for energy-related projects that benefit people in England, Scotland, and Wales. The scheme has awarded over £34 million to nearly 200 projects that support vulnerable energy customers and carbon emission reduction initiatives.

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B:CAN is made up of New Hope, Nishkam Civic Association, Witton Lodge Community Association, Age Concern Birmingham and Birchfield Local. These established, community-focused organisations are well placed to provide local energy advice with a proven track record of working with and supporting North Birmingham residents.

 

B:CAN Energy group has been established in response to the issues faced by communities across North Birmingham as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. In particular, the rise in household gas & electricity costs that affects millions of homes across the UK, with 1 in 5 households being thrown into fuel poverty across England & Wales this year alone.

Through the Energy Redress funding, partners will employ B:CAN-Energy Community Advisors to support local residents with easy-to-access energy advice services. This initiative is essential in addressing energy-related issues, supporting vulnerable energy customers, and contributing to carbon emission reduction in the region.

Energy Advice Services

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Energy Advice Services on offer will include: -

• Drop-in sessions

• Energy cafes

• Face-to-face appointments

• Special energy forums

• Telephone advice calls

• Home assessment visits