Scottish charity THAW Orkney has saved its clients a collective £50,000 in energy payments in the last year and helped maximise income by more than £116,000 – all through its work funded by British Gas Energy Trust.

The charity aims to reduce levels of fuel poverty and achieve affordable warmth within its community – in one of the most remote areas of Britain.

Part-funded by British Gas Energy Trust, it provides independent, free energy advice for households struggling to heat their homes across Orkney.

In the last year alone, it helped 317 households – with 272 of them requiring in-depth support. It resulted in more than £116,000 of financial gains including £50,000 worth of refunds or bill corrections from energy suppliers.

Michael Butler, Innovation and Development Lead at THAW Orkney, says most of the clients the charity supports receive home visits to help the team get under the skin of the issues people are facing.

Michael also revealed that there has been an increase in the number of single people, especially single parent families, seeking support.

He said: “There have been meter issues around the RTS switch off, including issues around new smart meters being fitted. There also continue to be issues around incorrect electricity billing as well as inefficient housing and heating systems.”

THAW Orkney have also been trialling cash-based crisis support for households on low incomes through a local partnership.

Michael added: “As part of the Orkney Money Matters partnership we have successfully developed a financial insecurity pathway and related referral partnership across multiple Orkney-based support agencies.”

The team is helping people like Fiona* and Stephen*, a couple caring for three children and who needed money guidance following a house move. They had found energy costs were high and were not using their heating as a result. The team suggested initial methods to reduce costs, but after a visit to the property, the advisor found that the bills had been over-estimated and that future bills could be reduced by sending in regular meter readings. The couple were also supported through cash grants to help with debts, bills and unexpected expenses.

Michael is also calling for more to be done to address the efficiency of properties as the country aims to meet its net zero goals.

He added: “We need to fill gaps in the national provision of energy efficiency upgrades – especially property repair for households with limited funds. Many who are facing fuel poverty currently do not have the ability to access the whole-house improvements required to reduce their costs and improve their wellbeing.”

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*names changed to protect identity