The Robert Owen Credit Union has scooped a top prize for their entry in Feel the Heat – an award scheme sponsored by SWALEC and run by the leading fuel poverty charity in Wales, NEA Cymru, which is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Helping vulnerable people pay their fuel bills in the face of the rising energy prices is vital; Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson told a conference at The Royal Hotel, Cardiff on Thursday 26th June 2008, where the winner was unveiled.
Seen in the picture above (from left to right) are Gill Williams (ROMCUL's Monergy worker), Jane Davidson AM and Rina Clarke (CBP Co-ordinator). ROMCUL scooped the 1st prize of £1500 and two runners-up were given awards of £1000 and £500 respectively.
Rina Clarke said: "We are delighted with this presentation. People in the Montgomeryshire region are some of the poorest in the country with low wages, an ageing population, a high proportion of old hard-to-heat properties and geographical isolation, all combining to create an environment where people can feel trapped. Rising fuel costs are further exacerbating the problem.
"The Monergy project was devised by the Credit Union in partnership with the Bro Ddyfi Advice Centre (BDAC) and brings together for the first time money and energy advice and help with budgeting and financial literacy.
"This grant would enable more people to be aware of our services as well as offering practical hands-on help with individual issues. All these measures will go a long way towards addressing the fuel poverty which is a reality for too many people in this region."
Minister for Environment, Sustainability & Housing, Jane Davidson AM, said: "I am very happy to support the Feel the Heat Awards. The Welsh Assembly Government is determined to do everything we can to make it more affordable for vulnerable people on low incomes to heat their homes in Wales. We need to work with partners to drive this forward and recognising good practice is very important."
The credit union has also devised a bill payment service. The cross referral between ROMCUL and Bro Ddyfi Advice Centre ensures that those who have debt advice and a benefit checks go on to access on-going support from the credit union. Members have their benefits or wages paid into their credit union account. A budgeting account is then set up to pay bills and a small amount may go to repay a loan and add to their shares, while the rest is swept into a basic bank account with a local High Street bank and this money can be accessed through an ATM machine.
Nuria Zolle, NEA Cymru Director said: "Fuel poverty in the UK, including Wales, has risen to an alarming degree over the last few years, essentially because of the rises in fuel prices and this award-winning scheme is a novel way of helping people to contend with that.
"We thank all the participants and hope that their work goes on to support the vulnerable in heir communities.
"The extra funding will support action to build on existing work and invest on innovative solutions that help address the issues that matter the most to their communities. Local agencies are at the forefront of work to provide affordable warmth to vulnerable households and it is these organisations this award scheme is helping. We are grateful to SWALEC and the Welsh Assembly Government for supporting this award scheme."
Andrew Lloyd, Energy Efficiency Project manager, SWALECsaid: "We're really pleased to be able to support NEA with both their forum and the Feel the Heat award scheme. SWALEC wants to be able to help householders save money on their heating bills so that no one is living in a cold home; supporting NEA Cymru’s Feel the Heat award scheme is one way that SWALEC are able to see that this is happening."
(See also news item on NACUW site.)