The local Footprint Trust charity has recruited volunteers to help it cope with unprecedented levels of enquiries, as Islanders struggle with energy price hikes.
They are recruiting volunteers with a level of expertise in energy and related matters.
Who could be a volunteer?
Such people may be retired electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, engineers, teachers, university lecturers.
But anyone would be considered who has numeracy skills and a desire to help, subject to receiving information from the Trust and approved City and Guilds training.
Sign up for training day
There will be an initial training day in Newport on Saturday 8th October.
For more information, please email [email protected] or call (01983) 822282.
Isle of Wight residents are facing unprecedented domestic energy bill.
Concern over poorly insulated homes
As from 1st October, a new ‘Energy Price Guarantee’ will mean a typical UK household will now pay an average £2,500 a year, however the Trust points out that those in poorly insulated homes with old heating systems could have bills of over £6,000.
Fuel poverty level to rise to 30 per cent
Before the Covid pandemic fuel poverty levels were around 11 per cent of households on the Island, they then rose to about 18 per cent.
The Footprint Trust predicts that this will rise to around 30 per cent of Isle of Wight households by the end of the 2023 winter.
This means that some 21,000 homes will be affected, making difficult choices between heating and eating. The Footprint Trust helps around 2,000 fuel poor residents every year, through practical guidance and grants.
Harrington-Vail: This winter period would be our busiest yet
Ray Harrington-Vail said,
“With a growing number of people contacting us during the summer, we realised that this winter period would be our busiest yet, we appealed for volunteers with a knowledge of energy issues and a number of come forward, we are still looking for a few more….”
Find out more
There will an initial training day in Newport on Saturday 8th October.
For more information, please email [email protected] or call (01983) 822282.
News shared by Ray on behalf of Footprint Trust. Ed
Image: sven brandsma under CC BY 2.0
