Fuel Poverty Awareness Day: we're here for you this winter

Today we’re supporting Fuel Poverty Awareness Day to highlight the problem of fuel poverty and encourage customers to reach out for support if you are struggling to heat your home.

Lorraine Black, our Head of Community Services, said: “Keeping warm and healthy is so important for you and your home, but we know that the rising cost of living means some people are finding it hard to make ends meet and managing everyday energy costs may be difficult.

“If you are concerned about your energy bills or facing other financial worries, our specialist teams are here for you. We can also signpost you to other local organisations to make sure you get all the assistance you need.

“If you need advice or practical support, get in touch with us so we can help.”

Call our specialist teams on 0161 393 7117 or email Communityservices@fcho.co.uk for help with:

Accessing government help with your energy bills

The government is offering a range of help with energy bills for households and our Community Impact team can provide advice on what is available to you and how you can claim it. Support includes:

• Energy Bills Support Scheme giving UK households giving a £400 non-repayable discount to help with energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023.
  The discount is automatic, you don’t need to apply for it. However, you need to be aware that the instalments are paid out in various ways, depending on how you pay for your energy.
  If you get a message asking for your bank details, this could be a scam

• Warm Home Discount Scheme giving £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023.
• Winter Fuel Payment giving between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills, if you were born before 26 September 1956.

Maximising your income

Our Community Impact team can help you maximise your income, so you have more money to spend on essentials this winter.

Get in touch to see how we can help you with:

• Access to The Bread and Butter Thing affordable food service
• Advice to reduce debt
• Checks on what benefits you are entitled to
• Give you tailored support to help you make your money go further

Paying your rent and charges

Our team is here to provide you with tailored support and advice to pay your rent and charges this winter, so do get in touch as early as possible if you need our help.

If you need to adjust the method or frequency of your payment, we are here to help. Please contact us as soon as possible and we can work together to stop any debts from escalating.

Employment advice

Our Directions team is here to give you support if you are looking for work and advice to move your career forward if you are in employment.

Warm spaces

We have joined forces with Oldham Council to create even more Warm Spaces across the borough. In addition to  Oldham Council’s Warm Banks, we run five Warm Spaces throughout the week where you can visit to keep you and your family warm at no cost.

Find locations and opening times of our Warm Spaces.

Warm Spaces are friendly places where you can visit to keep you and your family warm for free. There is no limit on how many times you can visit – just come along as often as you need for a hot drink, a friendly chat or to simply relax in a warm, safe space.

FCHO Volunteers and staff will also be on hand on an ad-hoc basis too, so you will be able to receive free advice or be signposted to additional support if you need it.

Tips to save energy and reduce your energy bills

The best way to save money on your energy bills is to use less energy. Take a look at our five tips and see if you’re saving as much energy as you could be.

You can find more information and advice on how to save energy at home in our free energy guides.

Need a hand with the cost-of-living?

We're here to help. Visit our cost-of-living advice page.