Middlesbrough Environment City is piloting a new approach in an effort to help address the issues of fuel poverty that still exist within the communities of Middlesbrough.

Volunteers are being recruited from various neighbourhood groups throughout the community who are willing to undergo an accredited Open College Network Training Course in “Energy Efficiency in the Home” and once qualified can then visit relatives, friends, neighbours and other householders in their local communities identifying energy efficiency work that may be required.

Energy awareness, home safety checks and benefit entitlement advice is also given that can then be passed on to the relevant agencies for any measures that can be done to the property, which in most cases can be undertaken free of charge through the various grant agencies that exist.

The project also works with Welfare Rights, health care and other social agencies to identify the people in most need of assistance and, where necessary, hand-hold them through the process of implementing home insulation and heating improvements to their properties.

Reducing the number of households who are in fuel poverty helps with the environment, health issues and also economic factors, were householder’s energy bills are reduced substantially.

Open College Network Courses are still ongoing in various locations in Middlesbrough for any person who is interested in undergoing the training and achieving the accreditation certificate.

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