Celebrating money and energy advisers

British Gas Energy Trust is this week celebrating the outstanding work of their funded charitable advisers who are on the frontline of ongoing cost-of-living challenges, facing an estimated 3 million* fuel poor people.

On May 23rd the Trust is hosting its first conference to show appreciation for advisers from across Britain who help people struggling with household budgets, debt, job losses, food bills and much more. Over 80 advisers, termed the ‘unsung heroes’ of the fight against poverty, will be attending the event called the Gathering that is taking place at Innside by Melia Manchester. The aims of the conference include empowering and connecting advisers so they feel supported and helping them build new skills, so they feel better equipped to do the job.

Over the next year, 41 Trust funded projects will aim to support over 36,000 people across England, Scotland, and Wales, of which over 60% will receive in-depth holistic support across 135,000 hours of ongoing casework. The holistic support offered by charities funded by the Trust, such as Citizens Advice Preston and District, includes a thorough review of a person’s circumstances. By offering services such as, debt write-off and consolidation, income and benefit maximisation and energy efficiency, the advisers can offer a 360-degree review of incomings and outgoings to improve a person’s longer term financial stability.

Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive of the British Gas Energy Trust, said:

“This event is an opportunity for the Trust to give back to a group of individuals who are unsung heroes in the fight against poverty. Each year, Trust funded money and energy advisers work tirelessly to help thousands of people out of energy debt and much more. The Trust is delighted to be able to support the great work of these advisers with another £13m secured to fund 41 money and energy advice projects for the next two years.”

Money and energy advisers play a crucial role in helping people in poverty across Britain. One such person was a client supported by an adviser working for Citizens Advice Preston and District. She was a mother of three children aged between 13 to 1 who was unable to work due to severe bipolar disorder and was in receipt of child benefit and PIP. The mum had three different debts that she was extremely concerned about and with the help of an adviser it was established that the lender had run out of time to enforce the debt repayments. Thanks to help from the money and energy adviser the mum of three was released from the financial burden.

At the event this Thursday Darren McGarvey, who grew up in poverty, will be giving a talk about Compassion on the Front Line, Linda Marsden from National Energy Action will be giving a training session on changing energy related behaviour, Peter Radford will be speaking about staying positive at work and laughter coach Sara Kay will be regaling the delegates with laughter yoga.

*New official statistics highlight fuel poverty crisis deepening – as half of British adults turn their heating off, even when it’s cold inside – National Energy Action (NEA)

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