EXETER Community Energy (ECOE), in partnership with the Crediton Foodbank and Fishtank Café at Crediton Congregational Church, is now holding a regular monthly drop-in energy advice clinic.

This free service, held on the first Tuesday of every month, between 10am and 12 noon at the Fishtank Café, is available to any local resident looking to cut energy costs, stay warmer or ask for general advice on bills, discounts, energy use, smart meters or grants for home improvements.

Tara Bowers, an ECOE director and home energy advisor said: “Our drop-in advice clinics are a great way for us to engage with the local community, and provide a regular face-to-face service that supports those most in need.

“We are there to help residents who are struggling with their fuel bills and ensure they can stay warm and healthy in their homes for this and future years.”

Exeter Community Energy, a not-for-profit social enterprise, launched the Healthy Homes for Well-being project in November 2017 and has already helped more than 900 households.

It offers a unique service where local residents can get advice on energy efficiency, with practical hints and tips on insulating their homes, help with energy supplier and tariff switching and advice on discounts and grants available.

Help is provided at local energy clinics across the region as well as one-to-one home visits.

The Healthy Homes Energy team of four Home Energy Advisers regularly provide talks at coffee mornings and community events where those taking part can also ask questions in an informal setting and book a home visit.

Personalised and comprehensive home visits are a vital and much-needed part of the Healthy Homes for Well-being project. These are funded by LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) and supported by Cosy Devon and are available for homeowners, private renters and social-housing tenants.

“The eligibility requirements for the LEAP home visit are deliberately wide,” Gill Wyatt, Project Manager explained. “Anyone on a benefit, with a medical condition, or disability and many other vulnerabilities are eligible. We want to ensure anyone at risk of experiencing fuel poverty can be helped.”

Further monthly drop-in clinics are held in Tiverton, Cullompton and at a number of venues across Exeter.

To book a home visit, or for more details about talks and local clinics see: https://www.ecoe.org.uk/healthy-homes-wellbeing/ , email: [email protected] or telephone 07731 540215.