Orbit supports Northamptonshire customers with free energy advice

Orbit and fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) are offering free support packs to customers in Northamptonshire to help them through the ongoing energy crisis.

NEA, who estimate that 6.7 million households in the UK could now be in fuel poverty, will be working alongside the social housing provider and housebuilder to offer face to face support at local winter wellbeing events. Orbit and NEA staff will be on hand to provide advice and distribute support packs containing useful products and resources for people struggling with their bills such as energy saving lightbulbs, wearable blankets, draft excluding strips and thermos flasks.

A number of winter wellbeing events have been taking place across the region. The next one is at: Rushden Mind, Phoenix House, Skinner’s Hill, Rushden, NN10 9YE, on Thursday, February 23, from 10am to 2pm. People should visit: www.orbitcustomerhub.org.uk/winterwellbeing/ to confirm details and find the latest dates, venues and times.

As well as face to face events, the NEA is also providing a specialist telephone energy advice service to Orbit customers most in need, helping them with energy grants, fuel debt applications, liaising with energy suppliers, and changing tariffs or payment types.

Daniel Welch, energy and environment lead at Orbit, said: “This winter is going to be an extremely challenging time for many of us – not least our customers who are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of fuel poverty. We’re thrilled to be joining forces with NEA to offer customers expert guidance on how to navigate the challenges of the coming months and support them to remain warm and well in their homes.”

The partnership with the NEA is part of a new raft of measures being introduced by Orbit as part of its ‘Better Days’ programme to help customers manage their finances, maximise their income and reduce the pressure of cost-of-living increases.

Other measures include a new cost-of-living education hub on Orbit’s customer website, a furnished home pilot to help customers out of furniture poverty, and an increase in capacity to Orbit’s existing mental health support Breathing Space commissioned with Mind and Aspire4u.

Bethany Steer, project development manager at National Energy Action said: "We are really pleased to be working alongside the Better Days team at events. As the energy crisis continues and bills spiral, the work we do at National Energy Action has never been needed more. We want to give as many Orbit residents as possible practical and effective energy advice, alongside the other services, to help them through winter and beyond."