Local project supporting people through fuel poverty.

Local project Cosy Kingdom, work in Fife to deliver free and impartial energy advice supporting people to reduce their energy usage and bills.

Gregg (not his real name) is one of the many people who benefit from the Cosy Kingdom service.

Gregg was referred to Cosy Kingdom by his support worker, following a relationship breakdown leading to him moving into an empty home with his two young children. He was on a low income and struggling to manage the energy use in his new home and stay on top of his prepayment meter balance.

A Cosy Kingdom energy advisor visited Gregg providing him with practical energy advice to help him understand how to use his heating controls and reduce energy waste around his home.

Cosy Kingdom identified Gregg was eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme and made an application for the £150 rebate through this scheme from his energy supplier. Due to vulnerabilities in the home, he was enrolled with the Priority Services Register, to provide extra support.

After general expenses and having a flat to furnish it was apparent Gregg was on his emergency credit on his prepaid meter. Cosy Kingdom was able to offer him financial support allowing his to stay on supply till his next payment.

Gregg had sourced a second-hand electrical cooker that was unreliable and potentially unsafe. A referral was made to a scheme for a new energy efficient electric cooker to replace this appliance and help him save energy in the future too.

It was identified that Gregg was also eligible for Cosy Kingdom's handy service, a free means-tested service to help people make small energy saving improvements to their homes. The handyperson later visited Gregg and installed some thermal curtains, draught proofing and low energy LED bulbs throughout the property to help his family stay warm and reduce their energy bills.

As a result of Cosy Kingdom’s support, Gregg is now equipped with the tools and confidence to reduce his energy costs and the knowledge of how to keep his family warm as winter approaches.

Gregg said "The help from Cosy Kingdom has taken a lot of pressure off me which means I can now get through winter and keep my kids warm”

Cosy Kingdom has been going since 2013 and their services are available to all tenants and homeowners across Fife. The project is a partnership between Greener Kirkcaldy, St Andrews Environmental Network (StAndEN) and Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF).

To get in touch with Cosy Kingdom for advice or support you can call 01592 807930 or visit the website www.cosykingdom.org.uk