CAP Around The UK
CAP Across Eight Localities
Unique Challenges & Solutions
A detailed look at the fuel poverty challenges faced and community action initiatives delivered by CAP in our eight key UK localities.
- Liverpool
- Greater Manchester
- Barking and Dagenham
- Warm Up North
- Cardiff
- Northamptonshire
- Walsall
- Enfield
CAP In Liverpool
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty, 14.4% of Liverpool householders are in fuel poverty which is 29,484 households. Liverpool is ranked 20th out of 326 local authority areas in England, so CAP were keen to get involved and make a difference.
In 2011/12, Liverpool recorded 170 excess winter deaths - ranked 10th out of 326 local authority areas in England EWD. Whilst excess winter death figures are reducing in Liverpool, down from 320 in 2008/09, there is still an urgent need to address the issue of the additional number of people who die in the winter months compared with the rest of the year.
Objectives
Reduce fuel costs for the fuel poor
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those in receipt of key benefits.
Increase housing energy efficiency
Energy saving hints and tips delivered to those targeted by the Liverpool partners.
Reduce Fuel Costs for all
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those who are not in receipt of benefits.
Solutions
The action plan developed with Liverpool City Council and its partners sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Developing a bespoke 'vulnerability' training course for frontline staff.
- In partnership with Energy Projects Plus, developed and delivered a Fuel Poverty Summit for key fuel poverty stakeholders.
- Providing access to NEA's online fuel poverty and health training course for 7 local organisations and developed a bespoke version for elected members.
- Developing and testing a range of interactive community resources.
- Producing a strategic overview for VIRIDIS.
- Providing advice to Liverpool householders at the City's annual Winter Fair.
- Developing a local communications plan for the Community Action Partnership programme.
- Providing NEA's City & Guilds accredited Energy Awareness training.
Established Sustainable Frameworks
Ensured the Community Action Partnership programme was integrated into local frameworks with progress regularly monitored and accountable
Robust Referral System
Supported the development (by others) of a clear and transparent referral system through the Liverpool ECO framework for additional energy saving measures that households may be eligible for.
Engagement Tools
Developed tools to support partners to engage with communities and subsequently encourage residents to attend such events.
Find Out More About CAP In Liverpool
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Liverpool Details Find Community Initiatives In LiverpoolCAP in Greater Manchester
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty and figures produced by DECC 2012), over 12% of Greater Manchester householders are in fuel poverty which equates to over 130,000 households and the North West is ranked the 2nd highest region for fuel poor households in England at 12.5%
Around 80% of Greater Manchester’s 1.1 million homes are more than 40 years old and highly energy inefficient. It is anticipated that four out of five of these buildings will still be in use in 2050 according to a recent review of fuel poverty in Greater Manchester.
Objectives
Reduce fuel costs for the fuel poor
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those in receipt of key benefits.
Increase awareness of available support
Promotion and awareness of the British Gas social programmes and energy efficiency measures.
Reduce fuel costs for all
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those who are not in receipt of benefits.
Solutions
The action plan developed with local authorities in Greater Manchester sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Producing bespoke detailed 'Fuel Poverty & Health' reports and working with local partners to present to Health & Wellbeing Boards.
- Shadowing frontline staff to assess and review advice and make recommendations.
- Training Environmental Health Officers on the Housing Health & Safety Rating Scheme (HHSRS).
- Delivering energy awareness fuel debt/ health training packages to frontline staff.
- Providing 4 x NEA's City & Guilds accredited Energy Awareness training and 2 City & Guilds accredited Fuel Debt Advice in the Community courses.
- Scoping the feasibility of engagement and awareness raising to pharmacists.
- Developing and delivering residents Energy Champion training courses.
- Developing and delivering bi-annual Fuel Debt Advice Network meetings for advice agencies involved in the provision of fuel debt advice.
- Producing a quarterly electronic Fuel Debt Advice Bulletin for fuel debt workers.
Frontline worker training
Enabled frontline workers to identify and help vulnerable low income residents through the delivery of energy awareness, fuel debt/ health training packages.
Scoping opportunities
Scoped the resources needed to work with the Private Rented Sector to increase energy efficiency engagement and awareness of schemes, funding, fuel poverty and the impact on residents.
Establish networks
Established regular network meetings to ensure stakeholders are kept updated on all aspect of fuel debt policy and practice.
Find Out More About CAP in Greater Manchester
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Greater Manchester Details Find Community Initiatives In Greater ManchesterCAP in Barking and Dagenham
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty and figures produced by DECC 2012), over 11.6% of Barking householders are in fuel poverty which equates to over 5364 households and 9.1% of Dagenham and Rainham householders are in fuel poverty which equates to over 3703 households.
With Barking and Dagenham council the aim here was to build bigger & stronger networks by engaging the Health services in affordable warmth activities across this area. The enhanced support was to effectively assist customers, particularly those in fuel poverty or at risk of fuel poverty. We had to liaise with Barking & Dagenham Council to establish a meeting with key Health & Wellbeing Board, the Public Health board and the CCG representatives to inform them of the Community Action Partnership and seek their involvement in the Steering Group and governance structure for the programme.
Objectives
Building Bigger & Stronger Networks
Enhanced support to effectively assist customers, particularly those in fuel poverty or at risk of fuel poverty.
Reduce Fuel Costs for all
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those who are not in receipt of benefits.
Raising Awareness and targeting
Raise awareness amongst agencies who visit individuals in their homes and raise awareness amongst service users.
Solutions
The action plan developed with Barking & Dagenham Council sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Facilitating the development of an affordable warmth action plan for the borough.
- Delivering NEA's City & Guilds accredited Energy Awareness training and Fuel Debt Advice in the Community courses.
- Providing support for Communities of Interest through bespoke action plans and the delivery of awareness raising sessions.
- Delivering energy awareness raising sessions to frontline staff.
- Supporting residents with information and advice at local community events.
- Developing and delivering a bespoke training to Environmental Health Officers on the Housing Health & Safety Rating Scheme (HHSRS).
- Raising awareness of fuel poverty and the assistance available through the Landlords Forum.
Support for Communities of Interest (COI)
We agreed on the two COI and relevant support organisation(s) to target and then made contact with the relevant support organisations to introduce the programme and secure initial agreement to participate.
Agreement of an Activity Plan
We met individually with key stakeholders from support organisations to agree a localised activity plan. That plan was duly draughted up the activity plan. The delivery of the activities adhered to a mutually agreed timescale.
Key Worker Engagement
Key workers were identified and considered for attendance at the NEA’s C&G accredited Energy Awareness training course and the NEA’s C&G accredited Fuel Debt Advice in the Community training course.
Find Out More About CAP in Barking and Dagenham
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Barking and Dagenham Details Find Community Initiatives In Barking and DagenhamCAP and Warm Up North
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty and figures produced by DECC 2012), nearly 12% of householders in the North East are in fuel poverty which equates to nearly 135,000 households.
Warm Up North is an initiative between the Local Councils in the North East and British Gas for energy efficiency, created to help households throughout the North East to save money and stay warm. Employing a local team, energy advisers, assessors and installers they are committed to delivering a range of energy efficiency into homes.
Objectives
Reduce Fuel Costs for all
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those who are not in receipt of benefits.
Community Engagement
Encourage Local Authorities to address the issues of inefficient housing in their constituencies.
Reduce energy consumption
Awareness raising and reduction of energy usage in the home with the use of survey results and subsequent resident action plans.
Solutions
The action plan developed with Warm Up North and Community Action Northumberland (CAN) sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Liaising with Warm Up North to develop the 'Community Challenge' programme.
- Providing awareness raising sessions to local organisations in support of the Community Challenge.
- Providing training and support for Energy Agents as part of the Community Energy Agents project with CAN.
Energy efficiency targets
A group of Lascelles residents are enjoying warmer homes and lower energy bills thanks to a major insulation project from Warm Up North and Darlington Borough Council.
Private rental sector improvements
We offered landlords and letting agents the opportunity to have a free gas boiler or free insulation installed in their properties, subject to eligibility and survey.
Government funding
Warm Up North was awarded government funding to install central heating systems free to qualifying customers even those in off gas areas.
Find Out More About CAP and Warm Up North
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Warm Up North Details Find Community Initiatives In Warm Up NorthCAP in Cardiff
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty and figures produced by DECC 2012), over 30% of Welsh householders are in fuel poverty which equates to 386,000 households. In total there were 1,850 excess winter deaths in Wales of which,130 were in the Cardiff Council Local Authority area in 2012/13 according to the Office of National Statistics.
CAP delivered strategic support for the Cardiff Affordable Warmth Partnership and Affordable Warmth Strategy and Action Plan. They delivered training for staff on fuel poverty and fuel debt and accompanying fuel poverty referral resources.
Objectives
Identify and assist vulnerable homes
Develop referral tool to enable frontline workers to easily refer and signpost vulnerable clients to fuel poverty help.
Improve rental sector
Focus on empty properties in private and social housing between lets and longer term to improve their energy efficiency.
Adhere to ECO Targets
Using funding from the Welsh Government enable front line workers to locate genuine residents and actively improve their homes via grants and subsidies.
Solutions
The action plan developed with Cardiff Council and its partners sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Re-establishing and supporting the affordable warmth steering group to update the City's action plan to tackle fuel poverty
- Delivering a stakeholder workshop to secure input form a wide range of organisations into the Community Action Partnership programme
- Delivering energy awareness training packages to frontline staff.
- Delivering energy awareness training packages to letting agents and private landlords.
- Developing & delivering a referral resource for frontline workers.
- Developing training for elected members.
- Providing introductory sessions on fuel poverty and fuel debt to Student Support Services.
- Supporting students with information and advice at a local community event.
- Supporting residents with information and advice at Cardiff's Winter Fair and at local community events.
- Producing a resource guide on fuel poverty, energy efficiency and help available in Cardiff.
- Producing a leaflet for private sector tenants to raise awareness of fuel poverty and to signpost to help and support available.
- Producing a statistical resource sheet for members of the Cardiff Affordable Warmth Steering Group.
- Developing and delivering a workshop with NEST partners.
- Raising awareness of the benefits of partnership working through a response to the consultation on the Energy Efficiency Strategy.
- Developing a 'welcome pack' for social housing tenants.
Fuel Poverty Guide
CAP specifically designed a useful referral guide for frontline housing, energy efficiency and debt workers, councillors, AMs and MPs working in Cardiff.
Secure funding opportunities
Designed and submited bids for Cardiff based energy efficiency schemes to take advantage of funding opportunities announced by Welsh Government.
Statistic collation
Information was collated between several agencies in a joined up approach to provide a clearer picture of the issues affecting Wales and the rural communities as a whole.
Find Out More About CAP in Cardiff
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Cardiff Details Find Community Initiatives In CardiffCAP in Northamptonshire
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty, 9.3% of the Local Authority of Northamptonshire householders are in fuel poverty which is 27,367 households. In 2011/12, as a region, the East Midlands recorded 3,900 excess winter deaths.
CAP with the Local Authority in Northampton and their partners worked to establish and coordinate activities that will reduce the impact of fuel poverty on households at risk. Encouraging and developing a countywide, multi-agency referral network which enables all existing agencies providing support to those vulnerable residents facilitating a more holistic service.
Objectives
Community engagement
Deliver community awareness sessions at existing community events to promote the multi-agency referral network.
Reduce fuel costs for the fuel poor
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those in receipt of key benefits.
Promote health care
An example is increasing access and uptake in influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.
Solutions
The action plan developed with Northamptonshire County Council and its partners sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Facilitating the development of an affordable warmth action plan for the county.
- Mapping the organisational benefits of the health sector engaging with fuel poverty activity.
- Supporting the development of a county-wide referral network by
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- Producing a directory which records all existing affordable warmth related services throughout the county
- Delivering energy awareness training packages to frontline staff
- Providing 'train the trainer' course so that training can be provided on an ongoing basis
- Delivering NEA's City & Guilds accredited Energy Awareness training and Fuel Debt Advice in the Community courses
- Providing energy awareness sessions to local groups/residents to establish a network of Energy Champions
- Running community awareness sessions at existing community events
Mapping of services
We mapped all existing affordable warmth related services throughout the county and recorded these in an online database which is kept regularly up to date.
Staff training
Provided basic energy awareness training for front line staff from all sectors who have day to day contact with vulnerable householders.
Community energy champions
Empowered existing networks of community energy champions to reach harder to reach individuals and offer support.
Find Out More About CAP in Northamptonshire
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Northamptonshire Details Find Community Initiatives In NorthamptonshireCAP in Walsall
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty, 16.2% of Walsall householders are in fuel poverty which is 17,030 households. Walsall is ranked 9th out of 326 local authority areas in England.
In 2011/12, Walsall recorded 170 excess winter deaths - ranked 10th out of 326 local authority areas in England EWD. Excess winter death figures have increased in Walsall, from 130 in 2009/10. This shows there is an urgent need to address the issue of the additional number of people who die in the winter months compared with the rest of the year.
Objectives
Raising Awareness and targeting
Raise awareness amongst agencies who visit individuals in their homes and raise awareness amongst service users.
Reduce Fuel Costs for all
Grants and subsidies checklists for key workers to assist those who are not in receipt of benefits.
Community engagement
Increase awareness of successful housing energy efficiency measures through community engagement and energy champions.
Solutions
The action plans developed with Walsall Housing Group and Walsall Council sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Providing energy awareness sessions to local groups/residents.
- Delivering energy awareness raising sessions to frontline staff.
- Providing access to NEA's online fuel poverty and health training course and providing 'train the trainer' courses.
- Delivering NEA's City & Guilds accredited Energy Awareness training.
- Developing and delivering a fuel poverty consultation workshop to identify future fuel poverty priorities.
Front Line Staff Training
CAP delivered courses to frontline staff explaining how they can recognise the symptoms of fuel poverty in the individual clients their service targets.
Resident awareness session
Course delivered by CAP to residents at Blaknell Library that gave advice and tips on how to improve their environments, reduce their costs and recognise damp and mould in the home. Whilst at these sessions Energy Champions were identified for enhanced training sessions.
Community engagement session
Handbooks for energy saving awareness were handed out at events to ensure residents had information to take home and share with neighbours. One such event at the Bloxwich Library's 50+ club became a regular occurrence over the project increasing the catchment success.
Find Out More About CAP in Walsall
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Walsall Details Find Community Initiatives In WalsallCAP In Enfield
Using the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) definition of fuel poverty, 8.8% (10,077 households) of Enfield householders are in fuel poverty – ranked 119th out of 326 local authority areas in England and 17th of the 33 London boroughs.
In 2011/12, Enfield recorded 170 excess winter deaths - ranked 10th out of 326 local authority areas in England. The rate of excess winter deaths in Enfield has been on the increase since 2009/10 and is currently is at its highest level since 2002/03. With Enfield, we wanted to provide a wide range of practical and strategic support to the local authority and its partners to progress affordable warmth activity across the borough. It was important that this new partnership supported and enhanced existing local ambitions, in particular, Enfield 2020, the borough’s sustainability programme.
Objectives
Sustainable Strategy
Develop a governance structure for fuel poverty activity in Enfield which is sustainable and accountable.
Establish and Nurture Networks
Engage a broad coalition of stakeholders to produce a multi-agency action plan to tackle fuel poverty.
Community Effectiveness
To engage directly with householders, demonstrating to partners the effectiveness of community-based activity.
Solutions
The action plan developed with Enfield Council and its partners sought to meet the objectives outlined above by;
- Providing advice to Enfield householders at Enfield Over 50's Forum's annual Older People's Day event.
- Assisting Enfield Council and its partners to develop an affordable warmth strategy for the borough.
- Working with key contacts to engage key health sector partners in the fuel poverty programme.
- Working with local agencies to agree and refine a workable referral system and providing briefing sessions for frontline staff.
- Providing 2 x NEA's City & Guilds accredited Energy Awareness training and a Train the Trainer course.
- Attending community events to provide advice to local householders.
Developing Referral Networks
We needed to understand the existing arrangements for referring clients for support and then draw up a list of potential referral agencies including national agencies such as StepChange.
Encourage participation
Liaised with key agencies to refine the proposed referral system, agree data to be captured, confirm monitoring arrangements (if any) and agree protocols.
Training Provision
There was the consideration of training and capacity building of frontline staff, which might be needed to support agencies to deal with any additional referrals and produce any referral system resources.
Find Out More About CAP In Enfield
A more detailed look at this specific locality's requirements, objectives and solutions.
Enfield Details Find Community Initiatives In EnfieldThe Community Action Partnership was inspirational for us because it was completely open to Enfield to decide exactly how the support was used.
We were delighted to find out about the Community Action Partnership - Bringing people together from across the borough from different sectors is a very innovative aspect of the programme. New partnerships - fantastic!
