Changeworks Energy & Food Waste Advice Chris Clyne

Who Can We Help? Client group includes people vulnerable due to: - risk of homelessness - disability - risk of fuel poverty - very young - low income - elderly - ill health - debt

Our Projects Warm And Well Aim Hi Canny Tenants Midlothian Intervention Fund

Warm + Well Funded by Midlothian Council Primarily for clients with health issues Energy Advice Only Midlothian Intervention Fund

Aim Hi Funded by Lothian NHS Target Group Parents to be Families with young children Young people in transition Working with CAB’s & Sure Start Covers Energy Advice and Food Waste

Canny Tenants Funded by the Big Lottery Fund Working with Melville Housing, Midlothian Council and Eildon Housing Preventative project Targeting those with a newish tenancy.

Canny Tenants Energy Advice Food Waste Top Tips Light touch budgeting Image Greener Scotland

Free home visit service to provide in-depth tailored advice on- Energy Adviceland Free home visit service to provide in-depth tailored advice on- Different tariffs and payment methods Negotiating with fuel supplier on tenants behalf Hints and tips to reduce overall energy bills Using the heating system efficiently The £140 Warm Home Discount The Affordable warmth team offers a free home visit service which provides in-depth tailored advice to the householder. (the main items we discuss are in the slide) The WHD is qualification based – core group who automatically get the discount is for those on pension credits. The broader group requires different qualification criteria and it varies from supplier to supplier – commonly the qualification criteria is below £16,190 p.a. income and have disability benefits as part of that income. For example – income below £16,190 p.a. consisting of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA)/ Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – there are various other combinations including child disability, child benefit, medical issues etc. Switching suppliers and tariffs may bring savings by switching from quarterly billing to direct debit can save money. Many people are still on a standard tariff but could save money by going to a fixed price deal. Many people are not shown how to use their heating and hot water systems efficiently – we provide in depth knowledge on heating systems and how to use the timers and thermostats in conjunction with each other. We maybe able to arrange better repayment plans for those who have fuel debts and in some cases get the debt written off by applying for a trust fund grant. Generally reducing the energy usage in the home with hints and tips such as energy saving light bulbs, switch off light when leaving the room, no electrical items left on stand by, using thermostats correctly, not using tumble dryers, and many many more depending on what the household is doing.

Food Waste Top Tips Food waste top tips Meal planners Fresh or frozen? How to get the most out of their food budget. Meal planners How to organise meals to help with shopping. Fresh or frozen? Which is better value for money and most nutritious?

Reducing gas and electricity bills Saving Money Reducing gas and electricity bills Reducing Food Waste in the home Helping fill in a budgeting sheet

Potential Savings Case Study A A retired couple were with Scottish Power for electricity and British Gas for gas, quarterly billing, standard tariff. Duel Fuel Direct Debit £315 Warm Home Discount £140 Total Saving £455

Potential Savings Case Study B. Client came into the advice shop with a bill for £2555.93. Bill had been over estimated. Company lost the meter readings and used 0000 Fuel Billing Error - £2152.34 Warm Home Discount - £ 140.00 Energy Efficiency Savings - £ 53.91 Total savings - £2346.25

Potential Savings Food Waste saving “It was a really good workshop and very informative about reducing food waste, we only buy what we need now and we’re saving about £5 a week.” Shirley, Innerleithen Total saving annually - £260 “Portioning was the biggest thing for us, especially for the kids. The bags really showed us how much food was getting wasted just from the kids not finishing their food, otherwise it wasn't a lot. We've invested the extra £20 a week we’re saving in afterschool sports which they love.” Lisa, Eyemouth Total annual saving - £1,040

How to Refer Email: warmth@changeworks.org.uk Post or Fax: FAO Changeworks using a referral form Call: Changeworks on 0131 539 8574 and ask for the Jane or Chris

Any Questions?