A NEW project named Brighter Futures is aiming to help people in the South Hams deal with the challenges of increasing energy prices, low incomes and the high cost of living.

Citizens Advice South Hams is launching the project, using funding from Scottish Power Peoples Energy Trust.

The charity says residents in the area are faced with above average house prices and rents, low wages and a shortage of full-time secure employment. For those in poorly insulated houses, it says, with expensive, inadequate heating systems and high energy bills the costs can mount up, causing real poverty in this otherwise affluent county.

Brighter Futures will offer advice on energy efficiency and income maximization to more than 200 householders, providing tools to make lasting changes that will have an impact beyond the end of the project.

Citizens Advice South Hams manager Janie Moor said: ’This project is designed to help those most in need to make improvements to their homes and long term changes to their spending patterns.

’We’ll also support landlords to navigate new legislation which is being introduced in 2018, that will require landlords to do much more to make sure that energy efficiency standards are up to scratch if they want to rent their properties out – look out for more from us about this in the months ahead.’

Project lead Lin Etherden said: ’What the new legislation means for people experiencing fuel poverty in rented accommodation is that whereas before you might just be stuck with it, there is now a unique opportunity to actually do something to tackle the cause of the fuel poverty at its root, and without the risk of a retaliatory eviction.’

Janie added: ’If you are a landlord or work with people who experience fuel poverty we want to hear from you as well. During the course of this project we will be seeking out groups to deliver presentations to – and from April onwards we will be actively seeking out landlords to help them to prepare for the changes due to come in 2018.’

Citizens Advice South Hams will work with South Hams Children’s Centres operating in Totnes, Dartmouth, Ivybridge and Kingsbridge to run events and find people eligible for assistance through the scheme. Dates for these events will be released soon, visit southhamscab.org.uk, or search for @southhamscab on Facebook and Twitter.

To apply call 03444 111 444 or visit one of South Hams Citizens Advice’s drop-in sessions in Follaton, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge or Dartmouth.