Residents across Stafford Borough have benefitted from a ‘life changing’ partnership between their local authority and fuel poverty charity, Beat the Cold.  

Stafford Borough Council work with Staffordshire-based Beat the Cold to provide a wide range of support and advice to residents in the area to help reduce ill health caused by fuel poverty and cold homes, and help build lower-carbon communities.

Through the partnership, Beat the Cold advisers supported residents through telephone calls, home visits and outreach at community events, creating a potential overall benefit of £275,465 through resident savings, grants and social value.

Councillor Tony Pearce, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said: “Our partnership with Beat the Cold provided residents across the borough with access to expert help and advice on reducing costs and increasing energy efficiency as well as supporting healthier living.

“Almost half of all residents who engaged with the charity reported an immediate improvement to their sense of wellbeing following intervention with Beat the Cold and it is wonderful to hear someone say that support has been ‘life changing’ for their family.”

The success of the project is explored through resident stories hosted on the council’s website, which includes feedback from people who accessed support, including a parent of three from Stafford who said: “I’m not working now due to my health and things have been tough. I honestly can’t put into words how this support has made a difference.

“I am now on a better tariff and paying less each month. This has taken a huge weight off my shoulders and given me peace of mind at a difficult time. It’s literally life changing.”

Beat the Cold works with the council to refer residents for energy efficiency measures such as insulation and low carbon technology, offer advice on tariffs, energy supplier issues and water bills, as well as identifying those in need of damp and mould advice.

The service also helps people sign up to National Grid Priority Services Register which provides urgent support in the event of a power cut to those who are vulnerable or rely on energy to power medical equipment.

Beat the Cold Chief Executive, Fiona Miller said: “We are proud to work with Stafford Borough Council as the commissioned Energy Advice Service, providing local residents with advice and guidance on their energy matters.

“Our strong links with government initiatives and other voluntary sector partners enable a seamless service which is simple to navigate, and Beat the Cold are able to simplify the process for residents, ensuring that they can affordably keep warm and power their homes effectively.”

To read the case study in full go to Energy Advice Service | Stafford Borough Council

Press Release No 6294