Can you put a price on advice? How about £20k?

From those wanting to save a bit of money on their bills and reduce their carbon footprint, all the way to those at risk of fuel poverty – struggling to heat their homes and pay their bills – we've seen time and time again the sheer power of advice.

Because, the reality is, knowledge is power. Access to the right support can change lives.

Without it, many can become trapped – in arrears, in draughty, mouldy, unsuitable homes, sometimes both. Situations which, in turn, can have long-lasting negative effects on mental and physical wellbeing.

​That's why we wanted to shine a particular spotlight on the incredible work our energy advisor Sobia has done over the phone this year, particularly one customer (let's call her Ms T) who has saved a combined £20,000+ on her bills in this first year alone.

You might not think free energy advice is for you. That is, until you realise that it is so much more than free lightbulbs and turning down your thermostat.

While small changes in your behaviour alone can save you thousands of pounds per year, our advisors are also out there tackling much deeper financial issues. Issues which, if left unchecked, could have devastating effects on the most vulnerable members of our community.

​Take, for example, Ms T. When she first came to us, her monthly bills were incredibly high and, as a result, she was struggling to keep up with payments. Having previously slipped through the cracks for traditional support, Ms T had, unfortunately, fallen into debt.

Our free telephone advice and support helped Ms T:

• Apply for a discretionary fund from the local council, which saved her around £5,000-£6,000 on her bills
• Move to a new house, which reduced her rent by around £1,200 to £1,300 per month (saving around £15,000 a year)
• Apply for universal credit, whereby she has been awarded £400 a month (£4,800 a year)
   

Thanks to these savings, Ms T can now begin to pay down the energy debt she had accrued and begin to take control of her finances.
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We couldn't have achieved these phenomenal savings without the support of Crosslight Advice, who provide face-to-face debt advice together with money education and budgeting support to individuals and families in need. Plus, good friend to CREW, Councillor Paul White, who supported Ms T's application to the council discretionary fund.

It just goes to show the true meaning of community in our work. It takes a village, but together we can do more!

If you're struggling with your bills or would like to find out more about how we can support you to get the help you need, get in touch at [email protected].

Find out more about our energy advice service