Fuel bill help coins in £70k for South Side community
AN environmental charity has brought more than £70,000 back to homes in Govanhill.
Thanks to its work helping residents with energy issues, South Seeds has generated £72,197 in a year for the South Side community.
In a 12-month period some 192 local residents were helped to cut their fuel bills and gain refunds from energy companies.
The scheme has been so successful it has continued to run and is making even more money for families.
General manager Lucy Gillie said: “At South Seeds, we support many people over the course of a year with their energy issues.
“For some people there is also a positive financial outcome from figuring out what’s going on with energy in their home.”
South Seeds staff have helped local people apply for the £140 warm home discount to be credited on to electricity metres.
They have helped negotiate switching energy firms, energy bill corrections and applying for compensation from energy companies.
New heating systems have been installed for those eligible for them while funds have been applied for to write off fuel debts.
Energy officer Casey Dickson has been in charge of helping people with their energy needs. He said: “We get all sorts of people coming in asking for help.
“Negotiating with energy companies can be a minefield and take a considerable amount of time – it’s particularly stressful if there is a language barrier.
“We can people with a range of issues so they have warmer homes and a bit more money in their pocket.”
The Evening Times told earlier this year how South Seeds, an Evening Times Streets Ahead winner, is making improvements to Govanhill tenements that are having a huge impact on residents’ lives.
A six-month scheme saw the charity fit energy-saving devices, including new double glazing, to homes in the South Side community.
It resulted in reduced energy bills, warmer rooms, safer homes and better health.
The Existing Homes Alliance, a coalition of housing, environmental, fuel poverty and industry groups, said the project should be an example for national funding and policy changes.