Written by Jon Green (he/him),
Warm and Well in Merton Programme Manager
‘The great, the good, the really awful & the utterly ugly. And a bit about warm spaces.’
Here’s five things to know as we get ready for colder weather and rising demand from residents for energy support, featuring useful links for more information:
| Item | Title | Summary | Action |
| 1 | The Great Ofgem debt relief scheme breaks cover. | The much talked about OFGEM debt relief scheme is now in the news with outlets like BBC online and ITV news carrying the story today. Don’t be surprised if clients pick up on this scheme over the next few weeks and be ready to reply to questions about it. | Action: We want to work with others to co-create a campaign to raise awareness amongst staff and residents. We need to be on the front foot to do this, so if you would like to join forces to make it happen email: jgreen@wimbledonguild.co.uk |
| 2 | The Good: Merton business energy efficiency support scheme opens. | Merton Council has launched its business energy efficiency support scheme. | Action: Find out more about it at: Merton Business Energy Efficiency Support Scheme – Groundwork |
| 3 | The really awful: The illegal resale of electricity is increasing in Merton and it’s hitting the vulnerable the hardest. | At the last Cost-of-Living event more residents talked with me about sub meters than any other type of energy meter. It feels like illegal overcharging is the norm rather than then exception, and the rates being charged by unscrupulous operators are nothing short of astonishing. | Action: Join us for a conversation about sub meters and how we can help residents get to grips with the issues. Tentatively Monday 10th November at 2pm. Location TBC. Email jgreen@wimbledonguild.co.uk for more information. |
| 4 | The utterly ugly: Damning report into flagship home insultation schemes. | The government’s flagship home insulation scheme has hit the headlines. It’s hard to describe just how badly the scheme has performed, but there are links with the pictures that do it. | Action: Depending on a resident’s situation either direct them to Merton Council Household Retrofit Guidance (home owners), Warm and Well Partner, Thinking Works (home owners or private renters) or Merton Council’s MEES team (private renters). People living in social housing should speak to their housing association. |
| 5 | And a bit about warm spaces: Do you know about any warm spaces? | The Warm Welcome Campaign has launched and is encouraging councils, community organisations and businesses to open-up warm space. | Action: If you are offering – or know of – any warm spaces in the borough, let us know. |
This information is shared with you by, but views are independent from, Wimbledon Community Association.
For more information or to discuss any of these topics, please email the author of this newsletter: jgreen@wimbledonguild.co.uk