South Dartmoor Community Energy (SDCE) are thrilled to have been awarded a £10,000 grant through the Big Lottery Awards for All Fund, to deliver their Warm and Well Project over the coming winter.

The Project will see their Energy Advice Team out and about across the South Hams delivering free and impartial energy advice to local residents to reduce bills and help make homes more comfortable.

The team is organising a series of drop in energy advice sessions and will be available for Kingsbridge residents in Kingsbridge Rest Centre on the following dates between 10-12; Thursday 21st September, Tuesday 31st October, Friday 24th November and Thursday 14th December. They will also be in Churchstow Church Hall on Thursday 5th October between 10.30-12 and in Kingsbridge Library on Friday 13th October between 10-1.

The advisors can help residents to; check their energy tariffs, switch supplier, apply for extra support from energy companies, understand smart meters and apply for grants for heating and insulation improvements. Advice is provided on a first come first serve basis and it helps to take a recent energy bill with you.

Katie Reville, Director of SDCE commented: “We are delighted to have received the Big Lottery grant to support our energy advice service. Our experience last winter showed us that there is definitely a need for this sort of advice and support and it’s very rewarding to help people reduce their fuel bills and live in warmer, healthier homes.

We have also received funding from Smart Energy GB to raise awareness of the smart meter roll out, which will see all households offered smart meters by 2020. This is quite a hot topic at the moment so if you have any questions about smart meters please come along to see us.”

As well as delivering energy advice out in the community, the Warm and Well Project will also enable the Energy Advisors to conduct home visits to housebound residents, provide talks to community groups, attend community events and maintain their Freephone advice line (0800 112 3044). Details of all the drop in advice sessions will be promoted locally and on the SDCE website, www.southdartmoorcommunityenergy.org.

The team look forward to helping many local residents over the coming autumn and winter. For more information on their activities please contact Katie and Sophie on 0800 112 3044.