Breakout session 5. Benefit and income maximisation (welfare advice and Registered Social Landlord’s money management projects) • Catherine Bailey/ Phil Hodgson, Northumbria University, ‘Managing Money Better; evidence on reducing fuel poverty in Stanley’

1. Engagement and
empowerment through in-
home energy advice: service
impacts on quality of later
life
Bailey C.,^ Hodgson P.,^ Richardson L.,* McCourt V.,~ Grange L.*
^ Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, UK
^Prince Bishops Community Bank
~Derwentside Homes

2. Context
• Low income, high energy costs and home energy efficiency, are
key factors in household fuel poverty.
• Fuel poverty can lead to cold homes. It is likely in winter in the
UK, at least 65 people a day may die of illnesses due to cold
homes (Marmot Review 2011)
• Estimated 2.28 million fuel-poor households in England
(Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2012).

3. Comic Relief, 3-year funded programme, led by Prince
Bishops Community Bank with Derwentside Homes and
other partners.
Expert Energy Advisors offered free home visits to :
• Support financially excluded older people unable to
take advantage of lower fuel tariffs
• Provide an at home financial MoT
• Improve money management skills
• Providing practical support and help

4. Evaluation
• A quantitative evaluation captured financial savings.
• A qualitative evaluation assessed quality of life impacts on
participants and their approaches to energy use.

5. Qualitative evaluation

6. Appreciated gaining new skills
such as understanding a bill
and able to break down fuel
use
EA visit enormously valued:
Findings

7. Findings
On the whole, attitudes towards energy suppliers were negative. Participants did not trust shared information, some
reported feeling stupid and unable to change providers. Contact with an EA not only changed their own
circumstances, but often led to them recommending the service / passing on advice to friends and family in similar
positions.

8. Findings
• Self-reported decreased levels of worry and anxiety about ‘bills
running away with themselves- particularly valued those living
with chronic health conditions
• Some cheaper energy tariffs may only be digitally available,
raising concerns about digital exclusion.

9. Overall Findings
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
EMPOWERMENT
Participants felt empowered by the advice, both in understanding their
own bills and looking for better deals in other services
BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Some participants would decline better deals, as the valued the trust
they had in their existing systems more
CONTROL & QUALITY OF LIFE
Participants valued the control the service gave them, allowing them
to make their own decisions and giving reassurance
PERSONAL / FACE-TO-FACE ADVICE & HOME VISITS
Advice was more likely to be accepted when delivered in a flexible and
personable manner in the participants’ own home
NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF FUEL USE / POVERTY
Participants, including those with long-term, chronic health
conditions, reported negative quality of life impacts from worrying
about fuel use.
DIGITAL EXCLUSION
Some participants felt excluded by online / direct debit deals, as they
either didn’t have facilities or interest to access them
NEGATIVE VIEWS OF ENERGY PROVIDERS
Energy providers were often viewed negatively, with participants
often not trusting the information they gave them

10. Recommendations
1. Participants reported negative quality of life impacts caused by worry over fuel use and cost.
‘People facing’, at home, energy advice service that gives knowledge and control to clients,
can ameliorate this and build sustainable benefits.
2. Some participants appreciated information about ‘switching energy provider to save money’,
but inclined to stay with existing provider . There needs to be a sustained cultural shift in
service-user understanding and management of their financial affairs.
3. Participant views about energy providers, often negative. UK Government needs to liaise with
energy providers, to achieve the ‘most workable and affordable tariff’, particularly for those on
low income.
4. Some concern about online and future service provision leading to digital exclusion. Existing IT
outreach needs to target those who feel marginalised (including access to free IT training and
support).

11. Response to findings
PROGRAMME
County Durham ‘Managing Money Better’ Project Evaluation –
An Invitation to a fictionalised play of the findings
MONDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 14.00-16.00

12. Thank you!
▪ Department of Energy and Climate Change. Annual report
on fuel poverty statistics. 2012
▪ Marmot Review Team. The Health Impacts of Cold Homes
and Fuel Poverty. Friends of the Earth and Marmot Review
Team. University College London. 2011.