Power project keeps residents warm this winter

A new energy and money advice project has been set up to help people struggling to keep warm across the West Midlands this winter.

The ‘West Midlands Affordable Warmth’ project has been initiated by Western Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distributor for the region, as part of its commitment to address fuel poverty and help customers who are vulnerable to the adverse effects of living in a cold home.

The project, which is being run over the winter months, is being delivered by Warm Zones cic, Beat the Cold and Marches Energy Agency. Together they are aiming to help more than 600 people who are vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.

Alex Wilkes, WPD’s Stakeholder Engagement Manager explained: “Helping to address fuel poverty is something that’s very new for WPD. We don’t sell electricity and therefore don’t directly affect a customer’s expenditure or debts, but we’re uniquely placed to put people in touch with agencies that can help.”

He said the point of the scheme was to team up with local expert partners who can assist customers by providing advice on a range of home energy and money issues, including changing tariffs or available energy efficiency grants.

“We hope that the project will make a real difference to the lives of our customers. By working with local agencies that are already providing excellent services we can be more effective with the support that we can provide.

“This project is part of our ongoing commitment to partnership working. We already work with local agencies, such as Coventry Citizens’ Advice Bureau, on projects that help local people. The project with Coventry CAB has supported more than 500 people over the past 10 months."

Lorraine Gumbs from Warm Zones cic said: “This partnership project will enable us to work directly with people who really need our help. It will mean that we can reach and help more people across the West Midlands, resulting in more people being able to keep warm this winter.

“We want as many people as possible to be prepared for the approaching cold weather and we encourage people living in the West Midlands to contact us on 0800 033 7967 for help to find the best deal on energy costs and advice on keeping control of their energy usage.”