Advice Forums are an integral part of the support EAS offers those who work on the front line. The Energy Advice Forums are designed for those providing services and support for vulnerable people – everyone from front line workers dealing direct with the public through to those managing support projects and services. The Forums – which meet four times a year – focus on fuel poverty and energy efficiency issues. Links between housing, fuel poverty/debt and health are also discussed. They provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from others in the field, to share ideas, best practice, case studies and importantly, also provide an opportunity to network.
Increasing the capacity of front line workers to provide effective advice/support and equipping them with the necessary knowledge to advise and support their vulnerable clients on fuel poverty and energy issues will establish a more sustainable solution to many of these issues. This includes raising awareness of and enabling access to funding for the implementation of energy efficient and low carbon measures in clients’ homes. The Forums enable EAS to better support front line workers and organisations, ensuring that the advice, information and support given in turn to vulnerable households is appropriate, consistent and high quality.
EAS believes that this project ensures improved understanding of fuel poverty, energy efficiency policies, programmes and support mechanisms so that these can more effectively be put into practice. The broad objectives of the Forums include: enabling effective support for fuel poor and vulnerable people, and; raising awareness of the support mechanisms that exist.
Comments from previous Forums included:
“Thanks again,’ ….. ‘these (forums) are really great opportunities to stay in touch and keep aware of issues”
“A valuable platform that I look forward to accessing and attending in the future”
“I really enjoyed the topics discussed and look forward to (being able to) learn/share experiences with others”
Dates will be added to the Events Diary .
To enquire about attending the free Energy Advice Forum meetings, contact Rose Ann Porteous on rose-ann.porteous@eas.org.uk