YEOVIL NEWS: Helping people on Westfield pay their winter fuel bills

A NEW fuel poverty project is being launched in the Westfield area of Yeovil to help people who struggled to pay energy bills each winter.

The initiative is being led by South Somerset District Council’s neighbourhood team in association with the Westfield Community Association, the Centre for Sustainable Energy in Bristol and South Somerset Community Energy.

As part of the recently launched Westfield Regeneration Project, the fuel poverty project will provide substantial help and advice to residents in Westfield who struggle to pay their fuel bills in winter.

The first phase will be delivered by CSE under the Warmer Improved Somerset Homes programme.

On August 17, 2016, there will be an introductory session in St Peter’s Church Hall in Coronation Avenue from 2.30pm to 4.30pm when residents and volunteers can find out all about the project.

On September 9, 2016, in St Peter’s Church, there will be a free training session for volunteers in the church with lunch provided.

On September 21, 2016, and October 13, 2016, there will be free advice surgeries in the church for residents.

Cllr John Clark, who is heavily involved in the project, said: “Some of our residents will really struggle to pay their energy bills this winter - but people do not generally realise how easy it is to make substantial savings in their bills, so it is important we contact them by publicity or by referral from agencies already helping them out.

“The CSE are doing a fantastic job in this area on slender resources, so it is crucial that people step forward to volunteer to be trained by them to help out in Westfield. If you have a bit of free time and would like to help this effort, can you come to the sessions on August 17 and September 9? The training is free and interesting and you will know you are really making a difference. You don’t have to be a resident of Westfield to volunteer although it would be good to have local residents.”

Chairman of district council’s Area South committee, Cllr Peter Gubbins, added: “Fuel poverty affects many residents and there are a lot of things we can all do to help ourselves, but sometimes residents just need a push in the right direction.

“The sessions being delivered by the CSE will help residents in the Westfield area and reduce fuel bills over the winter months when fuel usage is at its highest.”

Once this preliminary programme is delivered, there are plans to move to weekly fuel advice surgeries at St Peter’s for two months during the winter.

If you are interested in receiving free training so you can help advise residents or you are (or know of) a resident in Westfield and your house is cold, damp or poorly insulated, please get in touch by writing to westfield.yeovil@gmail.com or by ringing 01935-425689.

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