Support our Energy Advice Team, Before Our Funding Gap Hits in January
Our award-winning energy advice team, only recently described by our sector’s national award judges as “incredible” for their work, is running out of funds.
Due to a funding gap, unless we raise a significant sum by January, we will have to temporarily wind down their activities – leaving our clients – those worst hit by the cost-of-living crisis in Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley and Bexley without the support they need at the coldest, and most critical time of the year.
This giving season, we are asking local businesses, residents and others who are able, to donate what they can so our team can keep providing.
What Selce’s Energy Advice Team Does and Why it is Worth Saving
In 2024-5, we supported 4947 households across Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley, Bromley, and neighbouring boroughs. Of these, 2392 received tailored energy advice and targeted fuel poverty support, reflecting a 164% increase in reach over the past five years.
💡 In that time, our energy advice and targeted fuel poverty support unlocked over £1.06 million in total household savings.
💡 That’s an average of £442 saved per family on bills.
💡 And projected to save approximately £968 per household over 3 years.
Aside from helping, supporting and saving money for those worst affected the cost-of-living crisis, our team’s work also has a significant, positive climate impact.
Over the period above, we prevented an estimated 1095 tonnes of CO₂ – a 377% increase compared to the previous five years – and supported public health by reducing cold-related illness and financial stress.
Quite the departure from those who claim climate action hurts people’s pockets, we are the living proof the opposite is in fact true.
Why Are You Running Out of Money?
Our fuel poverty alleviation service is mainly funded by grants or commissions. We continually look for opportunities to apply for funds to continue this vital work. But funding opportunities have been few and far between this year.
Two key sources that funded our service in previous years are not available this year:
💡 The London Mayor‘s Warmer Homes Advice Service was scrapped.
💡 And we have not (yet) been able to secure further funding from the Energy Industry Redress Scheme.
What Will We Do with the Funds We Raise?
The target is £57,000.
This will allow us to offer in-depth personalised advice to 400 vulnerable households in South East London through a combination advice over the phone, at an energy cafe or in their homes.
Advice will enable clients to access the best tariff, access grants and discounts for both energy and water, cope with energy debt, to better understand how they can make their homes more energy efficient and how they can reduce their energy demand
What if We Don’t Hit our Target?
Every £1 donated allows us to increase the support we deliver to households.
If we do not hit our target, we will still use the funds raised to support as many of the target 400 households as we can.
