Marketing experts from Socially Grown, in partnership with Residential Energy Services, have secured a funding grant of £373,329 to launch a mobile energy advice service for hard-to-reach households. This initiative is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with support from the Midlands Net Zero Hub. It is one of 36 successful applicants chosen for the Government’s Local Energy Advice Demonstrator Programme (LEAD), which aims to develop innovative approaches to providing energy efficiency advice to vulnerable groups.
Residential Energy Services (RES) has been actively involved in providing energy subsidy awareness and advisory services to over 20,000 households since 2014. They specialise in educating homeowners about energy efficiency measures and guide them through the process, from initial advice to installation.
Together, Socially Grown and Residential Energy Services will launch a creative engagement programme targeting hard-to-reach and vulnerable homes. Their project will start in Staffordshire and Shropshire, using a community outreach and education vehicle to raise awareness about energy efficiency. The aim is to integrate with underserved households, co-create energy plans, and improve housing conditions to reduce fuel bills.
With the project commencing in regions with high energy poverty rates, the team hopes to make a significant impact. According to End Fuel Poverty, millions of households in England spend a large portion of their income on energy bills, and many low-income households live in inefficient homes.
The project intends to provide immediate access to energy and retrofit advisors for around 6,000 households per year. A pop-up hub from RES will be stationed at strategic locations such as health centers, community centers, and rural events. The initiative will run for two years.
Sarah Parry, Managing Director of Socially Grown and Residential Energy Services, emphasises the transformative nature of the project, aiming to provide tailored advice and retrofit solutions to underserved communities.
The initiative aligns with the government’s goal to improve energy efficiency and affordability for all households. Amanda Solloway, Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability, highlights the importance of making expert energy advice accessible to everyone, regardless of their location, to reduce bills and ensure homes are energy-efficient for the future.
