February Service of the month Energy Redress

Across the Wakefield District, more and more people aged 50+ are facing the harsh reality of choosing between eating and heating.

Through our wider support roles at Age UK Wakefield District, we were hearing this again and again from local residents living in cold homes and worrying about rising energy costs.

In response, we secured Energy Redress funding to bring vital support into the district and develop a dedicated service to help tackle fuel poverty.

This funding also allowed us to train three members of staff to Level 3 City & Guilds accreditation, ensuring people receive trusted, professional energy advice.

The service offers practical help such as:

• energy-saving equipment
• support to find the right energy deal
• access to grants and financial help
• a holistic LEAF-7 wellbeing assessment

If energy bills are worrying you, please don’t struggle alone, fuel poverty isn’t just about low income. It’s when someone can’t afford to heat their home properly without cutting back on essentials like food or medication.
If your home feels cold, damp, or expensive to heat – you’re not alone, we’re here to help.

You don’t need to be “struggling enough” to ask for help.

If you:

✔ worry about energy bills

✔ avoid turning the heating on

✔ heat one room only

✔ feel cold at home

Our Energy Redress service may be for you.

Small changes can make a big difference.

We can provide:

🔹 LED light bulbs

🔹 Draught excluders

🔹 Radiator reflector panels

Plus help with tariffs, grants and wider support – all in one place. A cold home affects more than comfort. That’s why every client receives a LEAF-7 wellbeing assessment – looking at:

💚 Managing daily living

💚 Managing Health

💚 Social contact

💚 Enjoyment

💚 Value

💚 Safety and Security

💚 Choice and control

Warm homes. Better lives.

Living in a cold home increases the risk of:

❄ chest infections

❄ heart problems

❄ joint pain and falls

❄ low mood and isolation

Staying warm isn’t a luxury. It’s a health need.

Meet the team...

Hello I’m Jess and I’m a people focused and compassionate professional currently working as an Energy Support Specialist at Age UK Wakefield District, where I help you navigate energy challenges and stay supported during difficult times. Since starting in November, I’ve developed a strong ability to listen, problem-solve, and make a real difference in people’s day-to-day lives.

Before this, I worked with children, which strengthened my patience, creativity, and communication skills. I’m passionate about supporting others, building trust, and creating positive outcomes, all while keeping a friendly and approachable attitude.

Hi, I am Adrian. I am one of the Specialist Energy Advisors here at Age UK Wakefield District. I care about maintaining personal independent as we all age. Part of that is being able to keep warm, safe and in the best health possible. As an experienced specialist, I bring a wealth of experience and problem-solving knowledge, along with practical solutions to energy saving and redress. I also bring strong advocacy skills to challenge fuel poverty that brings results for clients be that energy related or other issues that you might be struggling with, be that heating, housing, energy supplier or healthcare related. I am on hand to help whatever your issues or, even if that’s just some energy saving advice. I’m here to help, so do get in touch.

What sort of thing can you expect? 

Our service is already helping people; one district member was without heating or hot water for a period. Our service, become involved. A thorough assessment took place. After some initial checks were carried out, it became apparent a Gas Safe registered engineer would be needed. We assisted in contacting British Gas to arrange a priority call out. The visit by them took place within 24 hrs. Our district member now has a warm property and hot water again. During a subsequent follow up visit it became apparent additional support was needed. On discussing how this would look to him, he agreed to me signposting him for more support, which is now being undertaken.