A WIND farm charity has launched a local energy support unit to help the most vulnerable in the area through the cost of living crisis.
The new venture by the Point and Sandwick Trust (PST) on the Isle of Lewis has been designed to assist local people in identifying relevant support available to them.
The service will include delivery of the Fuel Hardship Fund dedicated to helping the most vulnerable households in the immediate area manage their electricity bills through the winter.
It will also assess key drivers of fuel poverty in the area and make recommendations to local and national government as well as signpost people to relevant services to help with rising energy costs.
The unit began taking calls and referrals last month and is operated as a partnership financed by community wind farm PST and delivered by Dan Morrison and Stewart Wilson of Muirneag Consulting.
Morrison said: “It is a real privilege to be entrusted with delivering this support for householders at such a critical and worrying time.
“We know that households are stretched and that fuel poverty is increasing on our doorsteps.
“Both Stewart and I will be working tirelessly to help those facing the greatest challenges with a view to keeping them warm and helping to avoid the incredibly difficult choices this crisis brings.”
Norman Mackenzie, PST Chairman, added: “This new service has been designed with local residents in mind and we are hopeful that with Stewart and Dan’s strategic vision, the new energy support unit will help those who are most vulnerable to the sad reality of fuel poverty in our area.
“Their strategy to work in partnership with key local and national agencies, to improve outcomes for residents in the Point and Sandwick area is exactly the kind of targeted approach we are pleased to welcome.”
Residents of the Point and Sandwick area are invited to call the new, confidential phone line to speak with one of the energy support unit advisors to discuss their energy needs.
The dedicated phoneline of 07887 371887 will be open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Enquiries can also be made via the PST website here.
