Ceredigion Citizens Advice joined with the county council for Talk Money Week 2018 at Llwyncelyn Hall to launch a new Warm Homes project.

The project, Warm Homes Ceredigion, will deliver advice and support to local people who might be at risk of not being able to afford to heat their homes.

Experienced benefits and energy advisers from Citizens Advice will give one-to-one support to householders and help to access funding or income maximisation alongside practical help with energy use and achieving a warmer home.

Cllr Dafydd Edwards opened the launch event, saying: “With the winter months ahead of us and the temperatures already falling, there are a number of residents that are already worried in relation to the cost of adequately heating their homes. This is a worry with the high cost of energy bills.

“This is worse in rural areas and areas that are off mains gas.

“In Ceredigion over 82 per cent of homes are off mains gas, meaning that 82 per cent of households are relying on expensive forms of heating, i.e. oil, LPG gas and solid fuel.”

The council and Citizens Advice will also work with local agencies, like family centres and housing associations, to make this advice accessible and to up-skill their frontline staff in how to spot energy problems and fuel poverty, how to help and where to signpost for further advice.

Gaynor Toft, community wellbeing manager at Ceredigion County Council, explained that the joint project has come about due to historical success in matching work undertaken by the council in improving the warmth of homes, such as through the Welsh Government’s Arbed Scheme and through grants and other support, and partnering with Ceredigion Citizens Advice to make sure householders understand the best ways to heat their home, how to reduce their bills and how to deal with problems like debt and low income.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now