Making sure no family has to make a choice when it comes to heat

ACROSS the Midlands, 20 per cent of families who have a child with a disability have previously gone without all the heating they need during the winter months due to a parent having to give up work and a dramatic fall in household income.

With the colder months of the year now with us, a grant from the Energy Saving Trust (as part of their Energy

Redress Scheme) has been awarded to children’s charity Caudwell Children to help combat fuel poverty amongst those families who have a child with a disability.

In partnership with West Midlands-based Auriga Services, an organisation that helps reduce financial hardship by working with some of the largest utility companies across the UK, both organisations will be working together to support families to use energy more efficiently, and help manage household income, bills and debts.

Working closely together, Auriga and Caudwell Children’s expertise will directly help to identify, engage and support families with disabled children, to address their energy efficiency and affordability needs. In addition, families will be given access to a range of family support services to address the specific needs of their child.

The winter months put a particular strain on many people’s finances, as the heating goes on and more lighting is needed. For those families who have a child with a disability, those financial strains are exacerbated because greater heating, water and light that may be needed around the clock.

The Warm Homes grant that we will be facilitating will help to provide 2,000 families with a detailed home survey, energy efficiency guidance and income maximisation advice. Additionally, we shall be advising up to 10,000 families with energy saving tips and information via our dedicated advisers.

Mark Abrams, Chief executive of Auriga Services