An energy advice clinic for local residents struggling with the cost of living crisis has been set up by the not-for-profit community group, Croydon Community Energy.
In its first clinic, held last Saturday, the group offered a variety of solutions for households struggling with energy bills. This included financial advice about changing payments and energy bills through pay as you go or direct debit. The clinic also made sure people who are eligible for government help receive it.
They also handed out free equipment to help insulate homes such as gap filler to put between floorboards and reflective sheets for behind radiators. These measures can help make homes more energy efficient, saving money in the process.
Croydon Community Energy was created last year, focused on increasing the use of renewable energy and decreasing Croydon’s carbon footprint. Its founder, Connie Muir described the organisation as “a group of people interested in renewable energy, who want to [get more measures] implemented locally, such as working to install solar panels solar panels on community buildings”.
Eastlondonlines spoke to residents who came for advice. Charmaine from Croydon was one of those people. She admitted the cost of living crisis hasn’t impacted her too much, she said: “I’m comfortable, I’m a full-time worker”.
Charmaine believed the government needs to do more to help people: “They give you the money, but it doesn’t go far enough”.
Alex, also from Croydon, was blunt about the cost of living crisis: “It’s terrible, everything has gone up, I don’t feel too good about it”. Alex hasn’t received any help from the government and says he’s found it “very hard to get in touch with anyone, (you’re) just talking to ‘machines’”.
Alex was positive about the help Croydon Community Energy offered: “This is good, I’ve got a lot of information and a lot of help”.
Despite the information helping the residents of Croydon, Muir felt there could be a lot more support from the government: “They could provide funding to run these sessions. The community knows what’s best for the community”.
Croydon Council recently announced funding cuts to the community sector which would’ve helped projects like Croydon Community Energy.
Gareth Simkins, one of the directors at Croydon Community Energy, was offering advice on insulation. Simkins was critical of the lack of help the national government offered towards insulating homes: “As part of [David] Cameron’s ‘cut the green crap’ government funding for insulation collapsed, ultimately we [Croydon Community Energy] have to step in”.
The collapse of insulation funding was reiterated in a recent report by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. They found that: “David Cameron’s decision to slash support for home efficiency measures will see £1.5 billion wasted next year on higher bills”
Whilst Simkins was pleased Jeremy Hunt has promised more help with insulation, in his opinion: “action is needed today or several years ago”.
The Government is currently offering cost of living support under the Help for Households scheme, in April £400 was offered to every household in Britain through till March 2023.
Croydon Council’s current advice, according to their website, is a link to Help for Households. The council we’re approached to comment but didn’t respond.
