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Frontline Workers
PEC works with partners across the city to share learning and reach more local residents in need of energy advice
This page is for frontline workers supporting people in energy crisis in Plymouth - find out more about how to make referrals and access advice resources and training opportunities
Our Energy Team offer a free advice service to support people with energy issues in Plymouth. We work with frontline workers across the city to help local residents tackle energy issues they may be facing.
Evidence shows a strong link between good health and wellbeing and a healthy home. If you are supporting a resident that has energy issues, we can work alongside them, and you, to resolve it.
We can provide mediation with suppliers, landlords and housing associations where needed.
We will always prioritise people who are in a ‘no heat’ situation or at risk of self-disconnection.
We can also support residents to apply for energy related grants, energy efficiency measures, schemes to tackle cold, damp homes and to maximise income.
How people can access support
- By phone on 01752 477117
- By email to energyteam@plymouthenergycommunity.com
- In the home – we offer home visits if otherwise access to support by PEC is not possible. Please ask for an appointment with a PEC Advisor.
- In the community, at accessible events in the city – details are available on our website, on our social channels and in our newsletter.
How to make a referral
To refer a client to us for advice and support, please complete and return our Energy Team Referral Form.
For referrals from LiveWell and Adult Social Care teams, please complete and return the Warm Homes Referral Form.
If the client's issue will require us to speak to an energy company on their behalf, please also complete and return a Form of Authority, signed by the client.
Please send completed referrals to energyteam@plymouthenergycommunity.com.
If you need to contact the Livewell Warm Homes team please email livewell.warmhomereferrals@nhs.net.
DWP Household Support Fund 7
Household Support Fund 7 is now open
Eligibility guidance
Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) is working with Plymouth City Council (PCC) to provide energy support through the Department for Work and Pension’s Household Support Fund. PEC administers support to residents vulnerable to cold, damp homes, who live with long-term health conditions or disability.
Support can be accessed by:
- Selected Referral Partners – Professionals in health, social care, or organisations supporting people with health conditions or disabilities can refer individuals using the referral form they will have received.
- Invitation – Plymouth City Council is contacting around 500 households directly by letter to offer support. This will be followed by a phone call from a PEC Energy Advisor to discuss the available help in more detail.
If you’d like to be added as a qualifying referring organisation, contact us on hsf7@plymouthenergycommunity.com to discuss.
If your organisation is on the list of referrers, but you do not have access to the referral form, please email us on hsf7@plymouthenergycommunity.com
Households must:
- Be at risk of fuel poverty. I.E. unable to afford their ongoing energy bills due to high need for energy and / or low income.
- Have savings less than £10,000.
- Be unable to self-refer to Citizen’s Advice Plymouth’s HSF scheme independently.
Households must not:
- Have received an HSF grant within the last 12 months of the referral date.
Support available
Households may be eligible for support such as:
- Direct payments to their energy supplier.
- Fuel vouchers.
- Damp and mould repairs or kits to treat issues.
- Heating or plumbing repairs.
- Simple energy efficiency measures, such as heated blankets or radiator panels.
- Energy advice to resolve issues or make bills more affordable.
Household Support Fund is funded by:
Training opportunities
We deliver regular workshops for frontline workers and other professionals supporting people in Plymouth. These informal sessions offer tools to keep local residents warm and well, and provide a useful forum for sharing ideas.
Below are details of our upcoming training opportunities:
Aimed at frontline workers and professionals supporting residents in Plymouth, join our expert Energy Advisors in an interactive face to face session. We'll explore what you can do to help and the tools you need to get started.
Session Content:
- Plymouth Energy Community’s role in the city
- The Energy Crisis
- What fuel poverty means
- How to tell if someone might need help
- A practical approach to support - fuel poverty first aid
- How PEC can support you
- Your tool kit
We can also provide bespoke training for your team/organisation. Please get in touch to find out more.
Advice leaflets and resources
You can download a range of our advice leaflets below to share with your clients.
These are the full colour versions of the leaflets. Please note that because the leaflets are folded when printed, the information appears in a different order when displayed on screen.
Accessibility: You can also access the same advice within our help and advice portal. At the bottom of each article is the option 'print this page', which creates a black and white plain text version of the article suitable for home printing.